Since 1970, CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA) has specialized in providing scientific and operational marine environmental consultancy expertise in support of multidisciplinary projects in the coastal and offshore environment. With international experience operating from shallow estuaries to ultra-deep ocean waters, CSA has conducted nearly 3,000 international projects involving environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs), environmental sampling, monitoring, statistical analyses, mapping, and reporting in compliance with regulatory requirements.

CSA completed its first project in Trinidad and Tobago in 1996 for the AMOCO Trinidad Oil Company, and, in 2009, concluded its first project in Suriname for a major client–Murphy Suriname Oil Company Ltd. Since these early years, CSA’s science and operations specialists have consistently demonstrated their ability to meet the evolving demands of regional oil and gas clients operating on the continental ocean margin. CSA has also further expanded its capacity to deliver environmental programs that simultaneously meet industry standards of ocean science and regulatory needs and leverages regional staff with experience to pursue opportunities. To date, CSA has conducted more than 100 projects in the Caribbean, 60 of which were completed off Suriname. Because of the strong regional need, CSA has stationed environmental and geophysical survey equipment in Trinidad to support rapid and cost-effective mobilizations for these surveys.

Leveraging CSA Trinidad’s 25 years staff experience operating in Trinidad, CSA has built its client base to include Suriname oil and gas majors: APA Corporation, Capricorn Suriname B.V., Kosmos Energy (now Shell), Petronas Suriname E&P B.V., Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V., and Tullow Oil. With the increased exploration and drilling activity in the Guyana-Suriname basin, CSA continues to provide guidance and support its clients from permitting to post-drill stages of operation. For the permitting process in Suriname, CSA has completed comprehensive ESIAs that are needed for exploration and appraisal drilling and seismic activities. CSA has also delivered post-drill survey assessments and environmental baseline surveys, all in full compliance with regulatory requirements.

“Over the years working in Suriname, CSA has acquired an intimate understanding of the permitting requirements, allowing it to effectively and efficiently deliver services to propel the development of the Surinamese oil and gas sector. We are now taking steps to increase our resources in the area to meet our customer’s needs with local capabilities” stated Kevin Peterson, CEO of CSA. Key environmental services available in Suriname include ESIAs and supportive specialised studies, including metocean deployment and data assessment, geophysical surveys, environmental baseline surveys, pre- and post-drill surveys, acoustic modelling, provision of marine fauna observers and passive acoustic monitoring, and hydrophone deployment.