Although the operators of Block 58 (TotalEnergies and APA Corporation) have yet to publish formal recoverable gas figures, regional assessments suggest Suriname’s non-associated gas potential could be around 13 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) when combined with nearby discoveries, though commercial volumes remain subject to further appraisal. Taking into account both Suriname and Guyana, energy analysts estimate the region could support up to 12 million tons per annum of LNG capacity by the early 2030s – equivalent to roughly 11% of the global LNG supply gap projected for 2035.

The challenge for Suriname is not whether gas exists, but whether it is positioned for use. There is a risk that gas follows the same early trajectory as oil once did – identified but deferred until market conditions, infrastructure and policy frameworks align. Discussions at Caribbean Energy Week (CEW), scheduled for March 30–April 1, 2026 in Paramaribo, will explore how emerging producers like Suriname can bridge this gap through coordinated policy frameworks, strategic infrastructure planning and early investor engagement, while highlighting opportunities for regional collaboration and financing.

Regional experience highlights both the upside of decisive gas development and the consequences of delayed or fragmented planning. Trinidad & Tobago remains the Caribbean’s largest gas producer and a mature LNG exporter, having used domestic gas to underpin power generation, petrochemicals and LNG exports for decades. More recently, Shell’s Aphrodite gas project reached final investment decision in June 2025 and is expected to supply the Atlantic LNG facility from 2027, helping alleviate gas shortages that have constrained exports. Smaller developments such as Cypre and Mento have already delivered first gas, reinforcing the importance of continuous investment in domestic supply.

At the same time, Trinidad’s experience highlights the risks of delayed planning. Efforts to bring gas from Venezuela’s Dragon field – estimated at around 4.2 Tcf – to Trinidad’s processing facilities have progressed only intermittently, shaped as much by shifting geopolitical conditions as by commercial readiness. The lesson for Suriname is clear: clarity on domestic gas use and infrastructure must come early, before external uncertainties dictate the pace of development.

For Suriname, the domestic value proposition is compelling. The country remains heavily dependent on imported fuels for power generation, exposing consumers and industry to volatile prices and high electricity costs. Natural gas offers a pathway to cleaner, more reliable and more affordable power through gas-to-power projects, while also strengthening grid stability and supporting future renewable integration. Reliable electricity, in turn, is a prerequisite for industrial growth – enabling energy-intensive manufacturing, processing and services that create jobs and diversify the economy.

From an investor perspective, domestic demand can be as powerful as export optionality. A government-backed Gas-to-Power Masterplan – setting out long-term power demand, infrastructure development and pricing frameworks – would effectively establish a guaranteed offtaker for offshore gas, lowering commercial risk and strengthening project economics. Fiscal policy will be central to that equation. Offering tailored fiscal terms for gas, especially for midstream and downstream investments, would signal that Suriname recognizes these realities and is prepared to compete for capital – potentially making Block 58 gas as commercially attractive as its oil resources and accelerating the path from discovery to sanction.

Suriname remains early in its gas journey. Volumes must still be appraised, infrastructure planned and markets defined. Yet waiting for full certainty could slow progress and jeopardize the timely development of these resources. By embedding gas into its national energy vision now – starting with power generation and local consumption – Suriname can ensure that gas emerges as a second pillar of energy security, industrial resilience and long-term growth. CEW 2026 will provide a platform for dialogue on practical solutions, investment pathways and policy frameworks needed to turn Suriname’s gas potential into sustainable economic and energy outcomes across the region.