Houston-based APA Corporation has encountered water-bearing reservoirs at its latest exploration well in waters offshore Suriname and is now mobilising to drill its next well in the same block.

APA Corporation on Monday provided results from recent drilling operations on Suriname Block 53. APA Suriname, the operator, holds a 45 per cent working interest in the block, with Petronas holding a 30 per cent working interest and CEPSA holding a 25 per cent working interest.

APA said it has completed operations on the Rasper well in the northwestern area of the block and that the well encountered water-bearing reservoirs in the Campanian and Santonian intervals. Evaluation of the open hole well logs, and formation and reservoir fluid samples are ongoing.

The Noble Gerry de Souza drillship will be mobilising to the next exploration prospect, Baja, in the southwestern corner of Block 53. Baja lies approximately 11 kilometres northeast of the recently announced Block 58 discovery at Krabdagu and will test Maastrichtian and Campanian targets. This block is operated by TotalEnergies while APA Corp. is a partner.