TT leads LNG supplies to US

He said that Government was particularly pleased about the successful development of the hydrocarbon resources in TT and noted that “it is critical to creating sustainable economic growth and ensuring a high standard of living for the citizenry.”

Dr Saith said that the launch of the Natural Gas Institute “is significant in light of our country’s international standing as a leading world Liquefied Natural Gas Producer and the largest supplier of LNG to the United States of America.”

He said that TT “holds the chair of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum — 15 of the world’s most influential natural gas producing and exporting countries working together to promote stability and sustainability within the industry.”

“The pivotal role played by TT in this Forum for the 2005/2006 term, allowed our country to participate in the global energy arena at the level of the strategy formulation and on the conduct of technical studies which ultimaely guides the future development of the global gas industry,” he said.

The Minister said that “Government has expressed interest in the development of seven value-added eneregy related projects representing more than $8 billion US in direct investment.”

These are — two Aluminium Smelters, 1 Polypropylene Complex, 1 Iron and Steel Complex, 1 Fertiliser Production Complex, 1 Melamine and UAN Complex, and 1 Maleic Anhydride Plant.

Dr. Saith was strong in his views when he said that “the entry of industries new to TT also means the introduction of innovative technologies and expertise to the domestic landscape and it is within this context that the Natural Gas Institute of the Americas assumes greatest significance as it provides the platform for a quantum leap from simply being end-users of energy technology to the elite realm of inventors and innovators.”

The Minister noted “that at present the country’s first Gas to Liquids Plant proposed for Pointe-a-Pierre, will be a joint venture agreement between World GTL and Petrotrin costing an estimated US$101 million. He said that the project was currently awaiting a CEC Clearance from the Environmental Management Authority to begin construction.

He said that the project will be a 2200 barrels/day plant using 18.4 million standard cubic per day of natural gas porducing mainly Diesel and Naphta.

The minister suggested other potential areas for research and development that would support the Government’s energy agenda and these included the technologies that would facilitate -(a) deeper drilling on land and in deep waters, and (b) Gas wells producing at higher than normal rates.

Saith stressed that the Government was committed “to supporting the expressed goals of the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the Natural Gas Institute of the Americas as we recognise the need for a bank of skilled, local energy professionals who can guide enegy development at the strategic decision-making level.”

“To this end we have ensured that all production sharing contracts offered by the Government of TT include training and research and development contributions as well as tertiary scholarships for nationals in energy-related programmes.

This Research and Development Facility was established by the UTT and the University of Texas.