ORANJESTAD – Aruba could be on the verge of a major new chapter in its energy sector, as offshore exploration studies point to the possible presence of commercially viable oil and gas reserves near the island.
That was the main message emerging from a recent parliamentary briefing by Compania Arubano di Petroleo (CAP), where lawmakers were updated on the status of offshore energy exploration and Aruba’s broader energy strategy.
According to opposition leader Evelyn Wever-Croes of the Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP), current indications strongly suggest Aruba may hold significant offshore hydrocarbon resources.
Wever-Croes said the next major milestone will come in November, when preliminary exploration studies are expected to be finalized.
The offshore exploration work is being carried out by U.S.-based energy company Armstrong Oil & Gas, which signed an agreement in 2024 with Aruba’s previous government to conduct oil and gas exploration in Aruban territorial waters.
According to information presented to Parliament, Armstrong’s early findings have so far been described as promising, raising expectations that Aruba could become a new player in regional offshore energy production.
The parliamentary session followed months of pressure from the MEP opposition, which had formally requested an urgent public meeting with CAP earlier this year to obtain clarity on the project and its potential economic implications.
MEP says Armstrong has been in discussions with successive Aruban governments regarding offshore drilling opportunities and has maintained active engagement on the future of the project.
The party also referred to earlier discussions with the San Nicolas Business Association, where information was reportedly shared indicating that Armstrong may have identified two offshore gas fields in waters near Aruba.
According to those preliminary indications, the fields could potentially be developed into economically viable projects within the next two years, if the required approvals and technical evaluations are completed.
Wever-Croes says the next steps now depend heavily on the Aruban government.
According to her, Armstrong is awaiting official approval to move deeper into the exploration and possible development phase.
The issue has reopened broader debate in Aruba about the island’s energy future, especially after years of policy focused on moving away from traditional refinery-based economic models following the decline of Aruba’s oil refining industry.
If commercially viable reserves are confirmed, offshore oil and gas could represent a major economic shift for Aruba, potentially generating new revenue streams, energy independence opportunities and broader investment in the island’s economy.
For the wider Dutch Caribbean, developments in Aruba are also being watched closely, especially by neighboring Curaçao, where similar discussions about offshore oil and gas exploration have resurfaced in recent months.
The November report is expected to provide the clearest indication yet of whether Aruba’s offshore energy ambitions could soon become reality.