Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal said the Dragon gas project continues under existing arrangements, with no official changes communicated to the Government.
Moonilal addressed the matter on January 8 during a post-Cabinet press briefing, as questions centered on geopolitical developments involving Venezuela and their potential impact on cross-border gas projects.
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“To answer your question in a direct way, we do have an OFAC [Office of Foreign Assets Control] license that was negotiated. The Honorable Prime Minister advocated very strongly in New York and Washington over a period of eight months for an OFAC license vis-à-vis the Dragon Field project. That license remains in place and, to my knowledge, it is in effect,” he said.
Moonilall noted that work tied to the license has continued. He said no official notice has been received indicating any change to agreements involving Venezuela.
“We have never received any cancellation, any official communication, that suggests any change in anything,” he continued, adding that companies involved in the project remain engaged with their counterparts.
Venezuela had terminated all contracts and negotiations to supply natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez cited alleged hostile actions by the United States and accused Trinidad and Tobago of facilitating those actions. President Maduro subsequently denounced the bilateral Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation, halting all current and future gas arrangements, despite recent talks aimed at supporting Trinidad’s LNG and petrochemical sectors.
Moonilal said the Government’s position is to monitor developments while keeping its energy agenda on course. “We are very confident that Trinidad and Tobago’s interests will be served,” he added. Moonilall explained that the country’s cross-border strategy extends beyond a single project. “Just as we were optimistic last year, we are optimistic now of those projects and continuing our business.”
