Dominican Republic Registers First Major Hydrocarbon Prospect in Breakthrough Geological Survey

A new geological survey has identified what researchers say could be the Dominican Republic’s first significant hydrocarbon reserves, marking a potential turning point for the Caribbean nation’s energy and economic outlook.

The discovery was made using advanced subsurface detection technology developed by BSD Global Exploration, a U.S.-based firm specializing in deep-earth imaging for natural resource exploration. The company’s system, coupled with traditional 3D seismic analysis, revealed a series of large underground structures believed to contain commercially meaningful volumes of hydrocarbons.

According to experts familiar with the findings, the data suggests reserves possibly reaching into the hundreds of millions of barrels and BTUs. Independent geophysicist Paul McColgan, who reviewed the seismic profiles, called the target “one of the best” he has seen in a career spanning 25 years in the hydrocarbon industry.

While no drilling has begun, the size, continuity, and geological characteristics of the structure have raised expectations inside the Dominican government and among international resource analysts. Confirmation drilling could begin once regulatory permits are issued, according to officials familiar with the process.

The discovery is notable given that the Dominican Republic—unlike regional neighbors Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname—has long lacked proven petroleum reserves. Energy imports currently account for a substantial share of the country’s annual trade deficit.

New Technology, New Data

BSD’s proprietary technology operates by transmitting deep-penetrating signals into subsurface formations and analyzing the reflected data through specialized algorithms. The company says the method can identify chemical elements—including hydrocarbons, potable water, and strategic minerals—at depths of up to 26,000 feet.

The technology appears to have revealed more than initially expected. Beneath what had been classified as crystalline basement rock, BSD analysts detected a deeper set of subsurface structures, signaling a possible second reservoir system.

“This innovation has the potential to transform how governments and private operators approach frontier exploration,” BSD said in a statement.

A Visionary Team Changing the World’s Search for Resources

BSD’s executive team — Sami Benhamou, Isaac Salama, and Patrick Preece — expressed gratitude and optimism for what this breakthrough represents for both science and humanity:

Beyond Energy: Broader Applications

BSD’s methods have been used in multiple sectors beyond hydrocarbon exploration. In 2021, at the request of the Dominican government, the company helped locate the long-lost burial site of Enriquillo, a 16th-century national figure whose resting place had eluded historians for five centuries. The same imaging techniques have also been used to confirm mineral deposits—including gold and lithium—in several countries.

Economic Stakes

If verified through drilling, the discovery could reshape the Dominican Republic’s long-term energy strategy and reduce its dependency on foreign oil. Analysts say a domestic hydrocarbon industry could attract foreign investment, create new infrastructure demands, and alter regional supply dynamics.

For now, officials and BSD executives are preparing for the next stage: drilling, geological sampling, and a full commercial viability assessment. Early indications, experts say, are promising.