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Caribbean Shallow-Water Plays Move into Focus as Guyana–Suriname Basin Expands

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This month’s Caribbean Energy Week will host a technical workshop on shallow-water drilling as new licensing rounds, exploration wells and infrastructure investment drive growing interest across the region

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, March 16, 2026/APO Group/ –While deepwater discoveries have dominated the Caribbean’s upstream narrative, shallow-water blocks across Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago are emerging as a parallel opportunity as operators seek lower-cost exploration prospects in the expanding Guyana–Suriname Basin. Governments across the region are advancing licensing frameworks, seismic programs and drilling campaigns aimed at unlocking offshore resources closer to shore, while improved geological data and drilling technology are strengthening the commercial case for shallow-water development.

 

These opportunities will be in focus during a dedicated technical workshop – “Operational Challenges in Shallow Water Drilling” – at Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2026. The session will focus on mitigating operational risk while leveraging new technologies to optimize cost and performance across the region’s mature and emerging basins.

 

Guyana Expands Beyond Deepwater Core

 

Guyana’s global oil story has been dominated by the deepwater Stabroek Block, but policymakers are increasingly focused on expanding exploration into adjacent shallow-water acreage. Following its offshore licensing round, the government finalized agreements for multiple shallow-water blocks under a standardized production sharing framework designed to attract a broader range of operators.

 

One example is the S7 block, awarded to Cybele Energy, covering approximately 200 square-kilometers offshore. The fiscal terms – 10% royalty, a 10% corporate tax and a cost-recovery cap – aim to balance investor incentives with higher state revenue, while lowering barriers to entry for mid-size explorers.

 

Geological studies across Guyana’s shallow-water acreage have identified roughly 90 exploration leads across 11 blocks, containing an estimated 90 billion barrels of oil in place, suggesting the petroleum system extends well beyond the basin’s deepwater fairway.

 

For investors, the appeal is straightforward: shallower wells typically require smaller capital commitments and shorter development timelines, offering an entry point into one of the world’s most prolific emerging hydrocarbon provinces.

 

Suriname’s Offshore Momentum Builds

 

Just across the maritime border, Suriname is experiencing similar momentum. In late 2025, Chevron and Petronas secured exploration rights for shallow offshore Blocks 9 and 10 alongside QatarEnergy and the state-backed Paradise Oil Company, marking one of the largest recent commitments to Suriname’s upstream sector.

 

Meanwhile, Chevron recently drilled the Korikori-1 exploration well in Block 5 in water depths of roughly 40 meters – demonstrating continued confidence in the shallow-water potential of the basin. These exploration activities complement major deepwater developments such as the $10.5 billion GranMorgu project led by TotalEnergies, which is moving toward production later this decade and strengthening the broader investment case for the basin.

 

The result is a layered offshore ecosystem where deepwater megaprojects anchor regional infrastructure, while shallow-water exploration expands the opportunity set for new entrants.

 

Trinidad’s Mature Basins Offer Redevelopment Potential

 

Trinidad & Tobago provides a different but equally important opportunity: redevelopment of mature shallow-water basins. Decades of production have left the country with a significant network of offshore infrastructure, pipelines and service capacity. For operators, this existing ecosystem creates opportunities for smaller discoveries that can be tied back quickly and economically. In a market increasingly focused on capital discipline, such infrastructure-led developments are gaining renewed attention as companies seek projects that balance resource potential with manageable costs.

 

Despite their advantages, shallow-water projects come with technical and operational challenges. Complex geology, environmental sensitivities and aging infrastructure can complicate drilling campaigns. Addressing these issues will be a key focus of the workshop at CEW 2026, where operators, engineers and service providers will examine strategies to improve well design, reduce drilling risk and deploy new technologies in the region’s offshore environment.

 

As the Guyana–Suriname Basin continues to mature and regional governments seek to diversify their upstream portfolios, shallow-water exploration may represent the Caribbean’s next wave of opportunity.

 

Join us in shaping the future of Caribbean energy. To participate in this landmark event, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Guyana’s Next Wave of Offshore Projects Sets the Stage for Caribbean Energy Week Launch

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The Caribbean Energy Week 2027 launch in Georgetown on September 1 will highlight the multi-billion-dollar developments driving Guyana toward 1.7 million bpd and creating new opportunities across the energy value chain

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s rapidly expanding offshore development pipeline will take center stage when government officials, operators, investors and service providers gather in Georgetown on September 1 for the official launch of Caribbean Energy Week 2027. As the country advances a series of multi-billion-dollar developments across the Stabroek Block, the launch event will provide an early look at the projects, partnerships and investment opportunities expected to define Guyana’s next phase of growth.

 

With more than 30 discoveries made to date and multiple projects under construction or progressing through development, Guyana is targeting oil production of 1.3 million bpd by the end of 2027 and 1.7 million bpd by 2030, up from approximately 900,000-910,000 bpd today. As exploration success transitions into long-term production growth, opportunities are expanding across upstream development, offshore infrastructure, engineering, logistics and oilfield services.

Among the most significant near-term milestones is the Uaru development, ExxonMobil’s fifth sanctioned project offshore Guyana, which is expected to achieve first oil in 2026. The $12.7 billion development will produce up to 250,000 bpd from approximately 800 million barrels of recoverable resources across the Uaru, Mako and Snoek fields, utilizing up to 76 development wells and an FPSO with storage capacity of two million barrels.

Production capacity will expand further through the Whiptail development, ExxonMobil’s sixth sanctioned project in Guyana. Targeting first oil in late 2027 or early 2028, the $12.7 billion project will unlock approximately 850 million barrels across the Whiptail, Pinktail and Tilapia fields through up to 72 development wells. Designed to produce 250,000 bpd, the development will utilize the Jaguar FPSO currently under construction by SBM Offshore.

Looking beyond the current construction pipeline, Guyana is already advancing the projects expected to sustain production growth toward its 2030 target. The Hammerhead development, approved in 2025, is expected to commence production in 2029 with capacity of 150,000 bpd, while the proposed Longtail development would combine the Longtail, Tripletail and Turbot discoveries into one of the country’s largest integrated offshore developments, with planned production of 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day and 290,000 bpd of condensate.

These projects illustrate the scale of Guyana’s long-term development pipeline and the breadth of opportunities emerging across the energy value chain. Beyond offshore production, continued investment will be required across subsea systems, floating production infrastructure, drilling, marine logistics, engineering services, gas infrastructure and local content development as successive projects move toward execution.

Caribbean Energy Week 2027 will host its in-country launch at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on September 1, 2026, bringing together government officials, investors, operators and industry stakeholders for an early look at the opportunities, priorities and partnerships that will shape the region’s energy future. To register, please visit https://apo-opa.co/4cql5i3

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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South Sudan Oil & Power Returns as South Sudan’s Premier Investment Platform

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Returning for its seventh edition on November 24-25, South Sudan Oil & Power 2026 will bring together government, investors, operators and energy leaders to advance partnerships that unlock South Sudan’s energy potential and support nationwide economic development

JUBA, South Sudan, August 5, 2026/APO Group/ –South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) will return to Juba on November 24-25, 2026, reaffirming its position as the country’s official energy investment event and premier meeting place for stakeholders shaping South Sudan’s energy future. Fully endorsed by the Ministry of Petroleum, the seventh edition will convene senior government representatives, investors, international and national oil companies, financiers, service providers and development partners to advance investment across South Sudan’s energy sector.

Held under the theme “Resource Renaissance – Energy-Fueled Growth for a New Generation,” SSOP 2026 marks the return of the country’s flagship energy investment event at a pivotal moment for the industry. As South Sudan works to maximize the value of its natural resources, strengthen energy and export infrastructure and expand economic opportunities beyond the upstream sector, the conference will serve as a platform for securing the partnerships and investment needed to support long-term industrial growth, energy security and national development.

 

South Sudan’s oil sector is entering a new phase of recovery and investment, with production gains, renewed operational activity and infrastructure restoration driving momentum across the market. Operators are advancing field optimization and rehabilitation programs, with Greater Pioneer Operating Company recently recording its highest production in two decades at more than 60,000 barrels per day, while Sudd Petroleum Operating Company is pursuing production growth at Block 5A. Dar Petroleum Operating Company continues to expand activity across its producing assets. In March 2026, the company announced a discovery at the Al-Nahla field, improving production flows from Blocks 3 and 7.

 

Exploration represents another growth frontier for the country. While South Sudan holds up to 3.5 billion barrels of estimated reserves, approximately 90% of these resources remain undeveloped. The government seeks to raise these numbers by attracting investment across the entire oil value chain and facilitating greater exports.

 

With oil remaining the backbone of South Sudan’s economy, the government is prioritizing investment that sustains production growth, strengthens export resilience, develops local content and unlocks greater value across the energy value chain. SSOP 2026 will provide investors with direct access to South Sudan’s key energy stakeholders, including the Ministry of Petroleum, national oil company Nilepet and the country’s leading operators, while fostering engagement with African energy institutions and national oil companies, including South Africa’s South African National Petroleum Company, alongside the broader international investment community.

 

Building on the success of previous editions, SSOP has established itself as South Sudan’s leading platform for commercial engagement and strategic dialogue. The 2023 edition welcomed more than 600 delegates from 24 countries, including six government ministers, and resulted in five strategic agreements spanning upstream exploration, drilling capacity expansion, mining cooperation and regional energy collaboration. Bringing together stakeholders from across East Africa alongside partners from the U.S., China, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Egypt, Turkey and Norway, the conference reinforced South Sudan’s role as a regional investment destination and demonstrated its ability to translate dialogue into tangible commercial outcomes.

 

As South Sudan advances its long-term development agenda, SSOP 2026 will serve as a catalyst for new investment, strategic partnerships and regional cooperation. By bringing together government leaders, operators, investors and technology providers, the conference will help unlock the capital and expertise needed to transform South Sudan’s resource potential into lasting economic value.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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