The Trinidad and Tobago government has reaffirmed its commitment to restarting the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, identifying the project as a key priority during high-level discussions with officials from the United States Embassy in Port of Spain.
Energy and Energy Industries Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal and Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries Ernesto Kesar met with a U.S. delegation led by Chargé d’Affaires Philip Kern on July 27 at the ministry’s International Waterfront Complex headquarters. Senior officials from both sides also attended the meeting.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, discussions focused on political cooperation, energy and economic security, and trade and investment opportunities. Moonilal said the government remains committed to strengthening ties with the United States while pursuing investment in the country’s energy sector.
The minister also highlighted the government’s plans to increase exploration and production while advancing value-added industries.
T&T eyes preferred bidder for Pointe-a-Pierre refinery | OILNOW
He reiterated that Trinidad and Tobago remains open to “responsible investment to boost oil and natural gas production, improve productivity, enhance oil recovery, support investment in the restart of the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery and expand downstream development.”
The refinery restart has become a central pillar of the government’s strategy to revitalize the country’s energy sector after the facility was mothballed in 2018 following the restructuring of Petrotrin. The government has since signaled that it is seeking investment to return the refinery to operation.
The meeting also covered recently signed memoranda of understanding for proposed data centers and a steel plant, which the government said form part of its broader national revitalization program.
Leveraging oil exports key to getting change in Venezuela – U.S. Energy Secretary | OILNOW
Kern described the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States as “a unique moment in the history of bilateral relations,” adding that both countries share “several significant areas of mutual benefit and considerable opportunities for further cooperation.”
The refinery restart could ultimately depend on securing sufficient crude supplies. Earlier this year, the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago said a revitalized Venezuelan oil sector could help support operations, noting that the 175,000-barrel-per-day refinery historically relied on imported crude as domestic production declined.
