Trinidad and Tobago’s new government is moving swiftly to open discussions with Guyana on a potential natural gas deal, marking a major shift in the country’s regional energy strategy. The announcement comes in the wake of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s decision to formally abandon the long-stalled Dragon Gas project with Venezuela, citing ongoing international sanctions and persistent delays.
Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal confirmed that the new administration has been mandated to prioritize regional energy partnerships, with Guyana at the top of the agenda. “Our goal is to maintain Trinidad and Tobago’s relevance and leadership in the global energy landscape,†Dr. Moonilal stated, emphasizing the urgency of forging new alliances as the country seeks to secure its energy future.
Officials in Guyana have already expressed interest in collaborating with Trinidad and Tobago, as the South American nation rapidly expands its oil and gas sector. Guyana boasts an estimated 17 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves and is currently developing a Gas-to-Energy project to provide affordable power domestically. Options under consideration include exporting gas to Trinidad for processing, supplying Brazil, or developing offshore LNG platforms.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar underscored the importance of regional cooperation, instructing her Energy Minister to “explore the offer being made by Guyana to bring gas to Trinidad and Tobago.†She signaled that this approach represents a new era of Caribbean energy diplomacy, favoring partnerships with CARICOM neighbors over politically sensitive ventures with Venezuela.
However, industry experts caution that any deal with Guyana will require careful planning, feasibility studies, and the cooperation of private investors developing Guyana’s gas resources. There are also logistical challenges, such as the potential need for pipelines that could traverse Venezuelan waters, which may complicate negotiations.
Despite these hurdles, the new Trinidad and Tobago government is determined to move quickly, seeing Guyana as a promising partner capable of helping to fill the country’s spare gas processing capacity and bolster its downstream industries.
As talks are set to begin, both countries are poised to benefit from closer energy ties, potentially reshaping the Caribbean’s energy landscape and strengthening regional economic integration.
