PARAMARIBO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - U.S. energy producer

Chevron ( CVX ) is expected to begin drilling at Suriname's

shallow-water Block 5 next month, the country's oil minister,

Patrick Brunings, said.

"They will be drilling the Kori Kori well," he said in a TV

interview this week. "If this well does indeed contain oil or

gas, it will of course be very important for the region because

it is much closer to the coast."

Following a competitive bidding process, Chevron ( CVX ) in late

2021 acquired an operating interest in the area. The company

also acquired an 80%-interest in adjacent shallow water Block 7

the following year, and it has 33.3% of offshore Block 42.