A Deepwater Gasfield-Development Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 177102, “A Deepwater Gasfield-Development Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago,” by Ayasha Nickie, Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs, prepared for the 2015 SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference, Quito, Ecuador, 18–20 November. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Trinidad and Tobago is the top natural-gas producer in the Caribbean, with average daily production in 2014 of 4.069 Bscf/D. With vibrant upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, Trinidad and Tobago makes maximum use of the natural-gas value chain. Further maximization through growth in the downstream sector requires an adequate supply of natural gas in addition to the shallow-water gas fields offshore, which are currently the main supply. Because of the thriving gas sector, a large amount of infrastructure already exists that may aid with any further development. Introduction The Trinidad and Tobago Gas Development Model has shaped the growth of its natural-gas economy over the years, and, in 2014, the energy sector accounted for 45% of the country’s gross domestic product. Average production over the past 5 years was an estimated 4.2 Bcf/D, while average use for the same period was 3.9 Bcf/D, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) accounting for more than 50% of this consumption (Fig. 1). With the onset of proposed additional projects in the downstream sector, additional gas use in the near future is inevitable. Although this additional capacity can emanate from the existing proved-reserves base, another source of gas could be currently unexploited deepwater basins. In the past 5 years, nine production-sharing contracts for exploration in Trinidad and Tobago’s deepwater areas were signed. If gas is discovered, first gas can be on line within 5 to 10 years of discovery. If this occurs, additional quantities of natural gas would be available for domestic, Caribbean, and Latin American markets. While deepwater gas developments have economic challenges, existing infrastructure in Trinidad and Tobago can aid development.