Caption: Caption: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with members of the Refinery Reactivation Committee

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says an interim report from the Refinery Restart Committee has found the Guaracara (formerly Pointe-à-Pierre) Refinery to be technically, commercially, and financially viable for a restart, given current market demand for refined products and available crude supplies.

The prime minister was joined at the briefing by Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and Minister in the Energy Ministry Ernesto Kesar. The presentation of the report comes as the Committee—chaired by former Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine—delivered within four months of its deliberations, in line with its terms of reference.

The 11‑member committee reviewed the refinery’s pre-closure operations and financials, assessed preservation efforts since its 2018 closure, and conducted site visits to examine the condition of assets at Pointe-à-Pierre. It also heard from experts, built cost and economic models, and evaluated the infrastructure, utilities, and manpower needs for a potential restart.

Key findings indicate that while the refinery’s newer units from the Gasoline Optimization Programme (GOP) remain in relatively good shape, other units and supporting utilities have degraded during the seven-year shutdown. The panel stressed that time is of the essence, warning that further deterioration could render a restart uneconomical.

A release by  the Office of the Prime Minister stated, “The Interim Report notes that despite its closure seven years ago, the restart of the Refinery is technically, commercially and financially viable given the current market demands for refined products and crude availability. The closure of the Refinery for seven years has led to degradation of the units and supporting utilities and offsites. However, the Committee concluded that the newer plants which were part of the Gasoline Optimization Programme (GOP) were in relatively good condition. The Committee also concluded that time was of the essence as further deterioration of the units and supporting utilities would eventually render a restart un-economic.

“The report recommends four phases to the restart process based on favorable economics, ease of repairs, availability of resources and availability of capital expenditure. The report also identifies the significance of remedial works on the new Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) plant which has not been commissioned, but which is important to Refinery economics given the regional and extra-regional demand for ULSD and the move to increasingly stringent sulphur specifications in refined products.”

Four phased restart recommendations were proposed, shaped by favorable economics, repair ease, resource availability, and capital expenditure prospects. The report also highlights the importance of completing remedial work on the Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) plant, underscoring its critical role in refinery economics amid regional and international demand for low-sulphur fuels and tightening product specifications.

Beyond economics, the Interim Report emphasises jobs and business opportunities for local contractors, potential foreign exchange gains, and broader national economic benefits. It also notes that a restart would strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s standing as a regional supplier of refined products and enhance energy security and resilience for the region and fenceline communities.

The committee observed that in 2018, the refinery operated at a profit before accounting for debt-related obligations accumulated during the Malcolm Jones era.

The prime minister has directed the ministry of energy and energy industries to review the Interim Report and propose options and models to move forward, informed by the committee’s conclusions. A Final Feasibility and Restart Recommendation for Options is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet early in 2026.