Caption: Head of the Refinery Reactivation Committee Kevin Ramnarine, centre right, and other members of the committee present their findings, as their assessment of the mothballed Guaracara Refinery is underway
By Alicia Chamely
THE Cabinet-appointed Refinery Reactivation Committee is currently in the process of assessing the viability of the shuttered Guaracara Refinery.
On July 11, Minister of Energy Dr Roodal Moonillal announced the appointment of a committee to assess the reactivation of the former Petrotrin Refinery, which was closed on November 2018.
Moonilal made this announcement at a post-cabinet press conference, held at the Red House, Port-of-Spain.
The minister said former minister of energy Kevin Ramnarine had been chosen to lead a team of experts in examining the refinery.
Moonilal said the committee would “examine the technical evaluation for the return of refining, human resource required, financial, regulatory and feedstock requirements and commercial arrangements.”
He said it was hoped the committee would be able to submit a report to cabinet within four months.
Moonilal said only after the assessment was done and the committee’s report submitted could the government “speak to the issue of the reopening of the refinery.”
On Wednesday, Ramnarine provided an update to AZP News via WhatsApp.
Ramnarine confirmed the committee was in the process of executing the assessment in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the government.
He said the committee’s early deliberations involved “reviewing documents related to the shutdown of the refinery and its preservation post 2018.”
Ramnarine said, “Members of the committee have also conducted visual inspections of certain plants and utilities in the refinery compound, and more inspections are planned.”
He said the technical and financial viability of restarting operations, along with the consideration of the slate of in demand products was being examined.
Ramnarine said, “The committee is also studying various options for the supply of different types of crude oil and other inputs, including natural gas, water, and electricity.”
Calls and messages sent to Ramnarine to expand on the committee’s findings and as to whether he could say in what time frame the committee was expected to submit their report, went unanswered as of press time.
A cornerstone of the United National Congress’s 2025 general election campaign was the promise to explore the reopening of the refinery.
According to Moonilal, the refinery currently costs taxpayers $470,000 a month in basic maintenance fees.
In regards to expressions of interest from both local and international entities for the lease and operations of the refinery, Moonilal said that had been on hold until the assessment was completed.
