Senior Multimedia Reporter
Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says Cabinet could consider proposals for the reopening of the former Petrotrin refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre within days, as the Government moves closer to identifying an investor and operator for the facility.
Speaking to reporters while distributing Divali treats to motorists, passengers and members of the public at Debe Junction on Friday evening, he said the Government was completing the necessary documentation and legal requirements, with a request for proposals (RFP) expected to be issued before the end of the year.
He said the Government had already received considerable interest from local and international entities interested in participating in the refinery’s revival.
“We are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s so that when we come forward, we do everything right,” he said. Moonilal also said the Government had received assurances from the Guaracara Refining Company and technical personnel that refining operations could resume within three to six months once the necessary investment was secured.
“We have received an assurance from Guaracara and the technical people that once we have the necessary investment, within three to six months, we should be producing,” he said.
Moonilal said Trinidad and Tobago needed to re-enter the international refining market and position itself to supply gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel to the Caribbean Community and other markets.
“There is a huge demand, incidentally, for oil for refining. That will not change. There’s a huge demand for refined products. That will not change,” he said.
He also said the country’s geographical location presented an opportunity, particularly with neighbouring Guyana’s growing oil production and the potential availability of crude from the wider region.
The Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, formerly operated by state-owned Petrotrin, ceased refining operations in 2018 as part of the restructuring of the company, which left thousands jobless. Guaracara Refining Company was subsequently established to hold the refinery’s assets and oversee their maintenance.
Moonilal said the Government was determined to ensure the process complied with the relevant laws and regulations, but insisted that efforts to reopen the facility must not be obstructed.
“No one, absolutely no one, must stand in our way to reopen the refinery,” he said.
Meanwhile, Moonilal said he does not expect the recent gains made by the Democrats in the United States midterm elections to affect T&T’s energy arrangements with Venezuela, including the licences granted by the US for the development of the Dragon gas field and the Loran-Manatee field.
Moonilal said the licences were granted by the United States administration, and there was no indication that the country’s plans would change.
“These licences are secured; as you know, it is a matter of the United States administration, and we are very confident that our progress on both the Dragon and the Loran field will continue,” he said.
He said a measurement metering agreement for the Loran field was being worked on and had to be completed before the licence deadline.
He said a technical team would first have to travel to Venezuela to settle outstanding provisions and terms of the agreements before the energy ministers of both countries could meet to finalise and sign them.
The Government was hoping to complete that process by the end of November, he said.
