Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector is entering a phase of expansion, underscored by new milestones that position the National Gas Company (NGC) to secure critical future gas supplies and reinforce the nation's downstream industry.
The NGC has executed the final commercial agreements with Shell Trinidad and Tobago, an affiliate of the UK-headquartered Shell, in support of the Aphrodite project, following their finalization in early September 2026. The National Gas Company explains that its pipeline and gas-related infrastructure will play a critical role in bringing the project’s gas reserves to market, with first gas anticipated by the second quarter of 2027.
Gerald I. Ramdeen, NGC’s Chairman, commented: “The execution of the agreements represents the results of advancing the new vision and business model of NGC directed to strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s energy security and providing support to our domestic energy sector.
“Aphrodite will add to the future gas supply for the local energy market, bolster sustainability of downstream operations, grow economic activity and in the long-term, support national development. It also demonstrates the value of collaboration across the energy sector to advance projects that have strategic significance for the country.”
Following a final investment decision (FID) on the Aphrodite undeveloped gas field in the East Coast Marine Area (ECMA) offshore Trinidad and Tobago, Shell hired Subsea7 for the transportation and installation of subsea equipment in Block 5a, located at water depths of up to 290 meters.
Once it comes online, this gas project will serve as a backfill for the country’s Atlantic LNG facility, helping to maximize the potential utilization of the operator’s existing assets. This field development will bring an estimated peak production of approximately 18,400 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) (107 million scf/d).
The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago has also confirmed the execution of a binding term sheet to acquire 50% of the volumes from the Coconut gas development, which is expected to come online in the first quarter of 2027. The firm deems the acquisition of these volumes as a significant step in ensuring the country’s energy security.
Edmund Subryan, Acting President of NGC, underscored: “Coconut will add 300 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas to NGC’s portfolio. This new agreement will allow us to strengthen supply to the downstream, attract foreign direct investment, support the continued operation of vital industries, sustain employment and reinforce industrial and investor confidence.”
When the final investment decision in the Coconut gas development was taken in 2024, first gas was expected in 2027. At the time of the FID, only a small percentage of the gas produced from the development was intended to be sold to NGC because of the decision of the last administration to permit all upstream producers a direct route to LNG markets as part of the restructuring of Atlantic LNG.
The company emphasized: “NGC recognised there would have been significant loss to the people of this country if the volumes were allowed to be allocated and monetised as approved by the previous administration. NGC, under the leadership of its Chairman and Acting President, engaged with the licence holders of the Coconut development with the intention of securing the maximum volumes from this development for NGC.
“These negotiations were made much more difficult for NGC because of the lack of foresight by those previously managing the energy resources of this country. Notwithstanding the challenges encountered, NGC successfully negotiated the purchase of 50% of the volumes from this development.”
Meanwhile, the momentum builds as the U.S.-headquartered McDermott announced the departure of Shell’s Manatee platform from the Altamira Fabrication Yard for offshore waters in Trinidad and Tobago’s ECMA. The gas from the project is expected to provide backfill for Trinidad’s Atlantic LNG facility.
Situated 60 miles, or 100 kilometers, off the southeast coast of Trinidad and Tobago, Manatee, which is slated to start production in 2027, is expected to reach a peak production of around 104,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (604 mmscf/d).
McDermott said: “The platform has departed our Altamira Fabrication Yard and is now heading to offshore Trinidad & Tobago, bringing the project one step closer to installation. A huge thank you to the teams whose expertise, collaboration and dedication made this achievement possible.”
Manatee platform; Source: McDermott
The ECMA is already home to Shell’s largest gas-producing fields in the country, covering Dolphin, Starfish, Bounty, and Endeavour.