As exploration activities in the Guyana-Suriname Basin expand, CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA) and our Trinidad subsidiary follow suit, building on our 30-year history of marine environmental consulting work in the Caribbean and serving the scientific and operational needs of the offshore energy industry.

CSA has been providing environmental services to the oil and gas industry in Suriname since 2009. Offshore Suriname, CSA conducted an Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) in Block 58, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for 2D and 3D Seismic Surveys in Block 61, and an ESIA for Magnetotelluric and Controlled-Source Electromagnetics Surveys in Blocks 42, 45, 48, 52, 53, 59, and the surrounding waters offshore Suriname. CSA recently completed two ESIAs for seismic and drilling activities, respectively, in Block 52 and an Addendum ESIA for drilling activities in Block 53. Our Suriname environmental programs continue into 2021 as CSA undertakes ESIAs for seismic activities proposed in Blocks 54 and 62, and Block 58, including stakeholder engagement and public consultations that will be conducted using virtual meeting platforms. CSA also hosted Environmental and Hazard Identification and Acoustic Modelling workshops with clients to assess potential environmental risks from proposed offshore activities, all with COVID-19 mitigations in place.

In addition to our ongoing efforts to support sampling surveys and desktop reports, our team provided a review of the National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname Draft Environmental Assessment Guidelines Volume IX: Offshore Oil and Gas for multiple operators to further support an understanding of the guidelines and operator responsibilities.

Approximately 37 km north of Paramaribo, Offshore Suriname. Photo Credit: Rameez Persad – Operations Manager (Trinidad)

Offshore Guyana, CSA delivered an EBS report for a deep-water survey campaign completed in depths up to 3,000 m for a major end client operating in the Stabroek Block. As part of our technical approach, we have identified new in-country partners and are engaged in supporting regional environmental studies. CSA has also been invited to present at an IOGP and IADC sponsored summit on cross-border collaboration in the Guyana-Suriname Basin in February 2021, which we are very much looking forward to.

CSA’s marine environmental services in the Guyana-Suriname Basin, both desktop and field, are successful and cost-effective owing to our extensive regional experience, local relationships with in country partners, and knowledge of regulatory requirements. CSA’s extensive pool of deepwater sampling and surveying equipment based in Trinidad enables efficient mobilization and deployment for offshore surveys in South America and the Caribbean.

CSA’s Energy Director, Dr. Jodi Harney, stated, “CSA’s marine environmental services in Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil are supported by our experience and commitment to in-country partnerships. We’re excited by our plans for continued growth in South America.”

Ms. Candice Leung Chee, Chief Executive Officer of CSA Ocean Sciences (Trinidad) Ltd., added, “We look forward to undertaking environmental programs utilizing our highly trained team, in-country equipment resources, and leveraging CSA’s international experience.”

For project summaries and details of CSA’s work in the Guyana-Suriname Basin, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and request our regional Capabilities Statements.