Energy Minister launches work on Natural Gas Master Plan for 2014 to 2024

BG T&T Dolphin Platform (photo courtesy Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs)

Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine today kicked-off work on the development of this country’s Natural Gas Master Plan for the ten year period of 2014-2024. The Minister noted that this was one of the most important studies to be conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs as it sought to provide a plan for the future of the natural gas sector. The last Natural Gas Master Plan was conducted some thirteen years ago in 2001 and submitted in January 2002.

The successful consulting firm, Poten and Partners, was selected through the Central Tenders Board. Poten and Partners is headquartered in London and brings some 60 years of experience to the project. The cost of the contract is approximately US$1.4 million and the project duration is six (6) months. The consultants are expected to engage all energy stakeholders including upstream companies, mid-stream companies, downstream companies, the Energy Chamber, State Enterprises and Government agencies.

In his address Minister Ramnarine stated that “long term planning and road-mapping for the natural gas sector are critical to the continued growth, development and further prosperity of Trinidad and Tobago.” He further indicated that Trinidad and Tobago is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the Americas and that natural gas accounts for more Government revenue than oil.

The natural gas master plan will consider critical policy areas including allocation of acreage for exploration; identification of development concepts for deepwater gas; review of current contractual arrangements in the upstream; storage of natural gas; utilization of natural gas; flexibility and optimisation of transmission infrastructure. The consultancy will also examine the legislative and regulatory framework for the efficient management of the various segments of the sub-sector (upstream, transmission and downstream). The consultancy will evaluate gas utilization portfolios for gas-based investments, including petrochemicals and their derivatives, LNG, including Small Scale LNG plants; CNG; plastics; metals; power generation and emerging technologies.

Minister Ramnarine stated that the Natural Gas Master Plan once completed will give more certainty to the companies that already operate in the energy sector as well as to future investors as to what are Government’s medium term plans for the natural gas sector. The plan will also aid Government in making informed decisions on the basis of robust research and analysis.

Present at the session were representatives from Poten and Partners, and major energy sector companies such as the NGC, National Energy, BPTT, BG T&T, BHP Billiton, EOG Resources, Shell, Atlantic, the Energy Chamber and the Pt. Lisas Energy Association.

For further information kindly contact
Corporate Communications
Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs
info@energy.gov.tt
623-6708