PARAMARIBO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - BG International, a unit

of oil major Shell operating in Suriname, plans to

submit a plan to the South American country's environmental

agency for drilling up to four exploration wells at offshore

Block 65, according to a company document seen on Tuesday.

Suriname is progressing toward its first oil and gas

production offshore. A $10.5 billion project by TotalEnergies

and APA Corp ( APA ) was green-lit earlier this year

aiming to begin output in 2028.

BG International and Qatar Energy won rights to explore the

area in a bidding round organized by state energy company

Staatsolie that was completed last year, allocating three

deepwater blocks to oil and gas companies in the northeastern

section of Suriname's offshore area.

A non-commercial gas discovery was made by Tullow Oil ( TUWLF )

in 2017 in that area, previously known as Block 54,

before relinquishing its license.

If authorized, BG will begin drilling the first well, the

Araku Deep-1, in the second quarter of 2025 using a dynamically

positioned drill ship yet to be hired, the company said in a

document submitted for public consultation.

The locations of the other three exploration wells will

depend on findings at Araku Deep-1. The drill ship will be

supported by three supply vessels and helicopters to transport

supplies, waste materials, and personnel, BG added.