In a statement, BPTT reported Juniper has started production on schedule and within budget.
BPTT is a subsidiary of energy multinational company (British Petroleum-BP). Juniper is BP’s first sub-sea field development in Trinidad and is located 80 km off the south-east coast in water approximately 110 metres deep.
The platform produces gas from the Corallita and Lantana fields.
In a subsequent statement, Energy Minister Franklin Khan said the project represents an investment of approximately US$ 2 billion by BPTT.
He said Juniper will have a gas production capacity of 590 million standard cubic feet per day (mscfd). Khan said Juniper’s gas production will augment BPTTs gas production and the company’s gas production was boosted in April with the start of the Trinidad Onshore Compression Project (TROC).
The TROC has provided incremental gas volumes of approximately 100 mscfd.
Khan said the Juniper and TROC projects are examples of BPTT’s commitment to improving the domestic gas production. He said both projects will assist in alleviating the current gas shortfall.
He said the ministry is also working closely with BPTT with respect to the timely development of the Angelin gas field. This field is estimated to come on stream in late 2019 with an estimated gas production capacity of 600 million standard cubic feet per day.
Khan also said there are ongoing discussions with the company on development plans for recently announced gas discoveries in BPTT’s offshore, Macadamia and Savannah field. The gas reserves are estimated at two trillion cubic feet. Khan said to monetise these and other resources, BPTT will invest approximately US$5 billion over the next five years. Khan was confident BPTT would build on the Juniper success and about similar successful developments in the near future. BP’s chief executive (upstream business) Bernard Looney said Juniper is a major milestone in BP’s over 50 years of investment in TT.BPTT’s regional president Norman Christie said Juniper, “further demonstrates our commitment to helping improve production capacity for TT.” Juniper was BPTT’s 14th offshore platform in Trinidad and its sixth to be constructed at the fabrication yard in La Brea.
We deserve better than that for the type of US$ that we must fork out on a daily basis to cover the cost of this vessel. The company that owns the vessel is claiming that the cancellation of the contract is invalid – I hope that is not so. My suggestion is “count your lost and move on” for in the long run it will cost us much more judging for those problems this vessel is already having.
I conclude by asking the question before these purchases are made, do we employ experts to totally check out the items? I do hope so, now let the Ocean Flower 2 begin its home journey. We can do better than that and with a little more patience for value for your dollar is the way to go. I do sympathise with the inconvenience caused for many but hang in there.
Arnold Gopeesingh San Juan
They give up their youth and earning capacity at the peak of their earning potential to represent the “Red, White and Black”, but it’s like giving them a pen knife to go to war. I have long suggested that we either have a “Sport Lottery”, or use part of the NLCB lottery to fund our athletes, as in done in other countries.
The funny thing is, sports is always there as a rally to raise us up and give us a reason to cheer, (remember 2006 with the “Soca Warriors), but are we fair to them or just “bandwaggonists? So please, let’s treat them right.
R Patino via email
Philip Ayoun g-Chee via email
Tobago is just 19 miles off the North East coast of Trinidad. China has bridges that are over 100 miles long and over water about 26 miles long. Louisiana in the USA also has one the same number of miles over water.
We can ask China to build a bridge for us and charge us a toll for about 50 years That’s a short time in the life of a country. Also, we can put a fast train alongside the motorway bridge which could carry heavy goods as well as people.
Our problems will be over, no more boats and no more corruption with that sea bridge, only with the negotiations with Chinese.
We could also pay back for the bridge if we wish, with half of what we are being charged presently for the two boats.
Which reminds me — the Cabo is like a “Slow Boat To China.”
Gary de Freitas via email
Police said he was demanding that the woman reconcile the relationship.
He however ended up being shot and wounded in the leg by one of the policemen who came to her rescue. Only last month, police said, the woman obtained a protection order against the man as she was in fear for her life. Police said she is a victim of domestic violence.
The suspect of Savannah Road, Guapo is now in satisfactory condition at the San Fernando General Hospital. Investigators said once discharged, he can be charged with breaching a protection order, possession of a weapon/and or common assault.
It was Dr Eric Williams who wittily said at the Hasley Crawford welcome home victory celebration years ago, “America can put an astronaut on the moon, but Trinidad has a man no astronaut can catch”. The Fantastic Four is a true representation of the best Trinidad and Tobago has to offer.
These young men captured gold and emerged as the fastest men in the world in a 4 x 400m race. This is a Hasley Crawford/ Keshorn Walcott moment of somewhat precedented glory for Trinidad and Tobago. This time we celebrate the power of teamwork and the explosive power we have as a people when we work together.
Our citizens prove to be truly patriotic at every glance when we summon our national interest.
We celebrated as proud citizens in our usual manner with hugs, kisses, smiles, postings, chants, music, dancing and beverages. However, the celebrations have only just begun for our real life Trinidad heroes, the Fantastic Four.
World class athletes deserve world class rewards and we look forward to celebrating with our heroes when they return home.
We love and celebrate all our national athletes who take our dot on the world map and fly our flag for the world to see but something about gold has a special resonance for our citizens.
This amazing foursome is testimony that it is possible to be at your best even when circumstances are at not at its best. We as proud citizens can use this experience and apply it to our national context to drive our need to all do our best and give of our best as we rebuild our economy.
Let’s rally around our newly world renowned sporting heroes and send the message to our young people that anything they put their minds to they can achieve. The world is a global village and we continue to take our place at the top.
Hats off to the Fantastic Four!
Ronald Huggins St Joseph
Gorkin appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle- Caddle charged with manslaughter arising out of the death of his son.
His attorney Samuel Pete Thomas requested that his client be granted bail as he was the bread-winner of his family and was struggling to come to terms with his son’s death. He said Gorkin’s experience has been made even more traumatic since his arrest last Tuesday.
“Your worship while my client may have had matters before the court in the past, these matters have been resolved and all but two were ruled in his favour.
“He is employed with the Port-of Spain City Corporation.
“He is still in a state of grief and shock and I am making this bail application so that he has the opportunity to catch himself.” However Prosecutor Inspector Dillon objected to the bail application and suggested that if granted, Gorkin may use the opportunity to interfere with witnesses.
Several of his relatives who were in the public gallery expressed their discontent prompting Earle-Caddle to intervene.
“Listen if you all don’t know how to behave in this court, well then I suggest you don’t stay here for the remainder of the proceedings,” she said. In response to Dillon’s objections, Thomas argued the offence was bailable and said the claims of potential witness interference were baseless.
Earle-Caddle granted Gorkin bail in the sum of $75,000 and he is expected to reappear in court on September 11.
Gordon stayed close to the leader, American turbo Fred Kerley, who is reported to have run the seventh fastest ever individual 400m in the history of this event.
With 50 metres to go, and Gordon second, the Tobago-born athlete literally opened his belly and spilled his guts to pass a dying Kerley and bring home gold to Trinidad and Tobago.
As a four-month-old baby, his mother, Cynthia Cupid reminded me that her son suffered acutely from some undiagnosed stomach ailment.
He spent almost a year in hospital, as the doctors eventually operated. She agonised over his survival.
Today, Lalonde Gordon, 28, is a world champion to add to his double bronze medals at the 2012 London Olympics.
Congrats to Team Solomon, Richards, Cedenio and Gordon.
The words of the legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi (1913-1970) resonate in my mind: “The darkest moments of our lives are not to be buried and forgotten, rather they are a memory to be called upon for inspiration to remind us of the unrelenting human spirit and the capacity to overcome.”
REZA ABASALI El Socorro
Port of Spain Fifth Court magistrate Andre Darmanie urged Martin to use the opportunity he was given wisely. “You have been given a chance in life and it is now up to you to make sure you do not end up here again,” Darmanie said. He said we are living in a world where people are being murdered everyday with the use of illegal firearms.
“The proliferation of illegal guns is not to be taken lightly and no court intends to do so.” He said all factors including his age,admission of guilt and his remorse showm involved in Martin’s case were considered. Darmanie said he was not planning to give Martin a custodial sentence, however he will not get off scot-free.
Martin was fined a total of $15,000 and has seven days to pay or serve six months in prison with hard labour. Darmanie said even after paying the fine, Martin will no longer have access to the “benefits” which other citizens enjoy as he now has a “dirty” record. Martin was arrested on Wednesday last by police who stopped a car at Lady Young Road in Belmont.
The car was being driven by 32-year-old Hugh Isaac. The court was told the men were ordered to exit the car which was searched.
Police said they found the gun and the ammunition. The men were arrested and taken into custody.
