PARAMARIBO, (Reuters) – Suriname’s state-run oil company Staatsolie said yesterday that U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil has withdrawn from its offshore block 52, and block operator Petronas Suriname E&P will take over its 50% stake.
“The withdrawal is part of the ongoing evaluation of assets in ExxonMobil’s global portfolio,” Staatsolie said in a statement.
The withdrawal, effective as of Nov. 14, will not affect operations with the subsidiary of Malaysia’s Petronas oil and gas company, it added.
ExxonMobil has fulfilled all its work commitments, a spokesperson said in response to questions about its exit.
Gas was initially discovered in the block off Suriname’s northern coast in 2020 and a second well was drilled earlier this year.
