PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) says it has been vested with the title to the lands upon which the Beachfield gas processing facility in Guayaguayare, the southeasternmost village here.
Land and Legal Affairs and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Saddam Hosein (right and NGC chairman Gerald Ramdeen at the ceremony on Friday.It said this marks an important milestone in the advancement of the Manatee Project, a major offshore natural gas development led by Shell Trinidad and Tobago and located 100 kilometers off Trinidad’s east coast and holds an estimated 2.7 trillion cubic feet of gas.
First gas production is targeted for 2027, supplying the domestic market though the NGC.
A statement from the Ministry of Energy, Land and Legal Affairs said that NGC’s freehold ownership of the lands and all associated structures, resolves a longstanding matter of occupation of the land dating back to the facility’s construction and commissioning by British Gas between 2004 and 2006.
“The vesting of the title to these lands in NGC allows the Manatee Project to proceed without delay. These approvals also provide the necessary authorisations to undertake planned upgrades, and expansion works to the facility. As part of an agreement between NGC and Shell Trinidad, the Beachfield facility will serve as key onshore infrastructure for receiving gas from the Manatee field.”
“The Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs is proud to have played a critical part in advancing and securing the country’s energy sector,” said Land and Legal Affairs and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Saddam Hosein.
“The Ministry stands ready to provide support to NGC, to work together through efficient and legal administrative processes to create the certainty needed for strategic projects such as Manatee to move forward. This milestone demonstrates a shared commitment to delivering long-standing value for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
NGC’s chairman, Gerald Ramdeen, said that the legal transfer of the state lands was a result of strong collaboration among the Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs, the Office of the Commissioner of State Lands and NGC.
“By resolving a matter that has remained outstanding for over two decades, NGC’s current leadership has reinforced the importance of good governance, disciplined stewardship of state assets and effective partnerships in supporting Trinidad and Tobago’s long-term energy security.”
