The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago has released an updated map of upstream activity as of August 2025, showing how several projects have shifted through the development cycle in the past six months.
The map was first unveiled at the T&T Energy Conference in February, but new final investment decisions, fresh discoveries, and the return of ExxonMobil have significantly reshaped the country’s offshore landscape.
Projects are categorized into three phases: exploration, where companies seek to prove resources; those working toward a final investment decision (FID), where design and commercial viability are tested; and execution, where projects have reached FID and are now being developed for production.
The time to move between these stages varies widely, from as little as three years to as much as two decades, depending on factors such as depth, size, infrastructure, and licensing. Maintaining a steady pipeline is vital, as Trinidad and Tobago continues to manage declining oil and gas output.
Two projects – bpTT’s Cypre and the EOG/bpTT-operated Mento – have recently delivered first gas, moving them firmly into the execution phase. Other projects like Shell’s Manatee and Aphrodite (formerly Black Jack) have secured FID, with both expected to start production in 2027. Meanwhile, bpTT’s Frangipani and the EOG/bpTT Beryl development advanced from exploration to pre-FID status.
Several major fields remain in the FID queue, including Woodside/bp’s Calypso, Perenco’s Onyx, and bpTT’s Kanikonna. These projects, once sanctioned, will be critical in shoring up future gas supplies.
The most significant update came last week with ExxonMobil’s return to Trinidad’s waters. The company signed a production sharing contract for the ultra-deepwater UD-1 Block, adding it to the exploration portfolio. Exxon plans a seismic survey covering 5,500 square kilometers – larger than Trinidad itself – and is expected to drill two exploration wells.
Beyond oil and gas, renewable and low-carbon projects are also being tracked. The number of Wind Resource Assessment Programme (WRAP) sites has doubled since late 2024, with four locations now gathering data to evaluate the feasibility of a future wind farm.
Early results suggest strong potential. At the same time, the Brechin Castle Solar Project, a joint venture between bpTT, Shell, and NGC, delivered its first electrons in July, marking a milestone in T&T’s renewable transition.
Hydrogen development also features prominently on the updated map. The NewGen project and a separate National Energy initiative aim to supply green hydrogen to the ammonia sector, helping reduce carbon intensity across the petrochemical industry. Both projects are still pre-FID but represent an important shift in the energy mix.
According to the Energy Chamber, these developments demonstrate progress across all stages of the project pipeline, with exploration successes moving into commercial design, and sanctioned projects already entering production.
The updates highlight both the urgency and opportunity in securing T&T’s energy future, balancing traditional gas projects with emerging renewable solutions.
