By Sue-Ann Wayow

A NATIONAL symposium may be in the planning to encourage and improve the ease of doing business in the energy sector.

This comes from Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal as he held discussions with executives of Perenco on Monday.

Dr Moonilal said participation from upstream companies such as Perenco was anticipated to foster productive discussions and develop effective solutions to current regulatory challenges.

The meeting took place at the ministry’s head office at the International Waterfront Complex Port of Spain.

During the meeting, Dr Moonilal emphasised Perenco’s successful experience in value creation from mature and marginal oil and gas projects, according to a media release from the Energy Ministry on Tuesday.

The minister urged the company to maintain this distinctive strategy for its Trinidad and Tobago portfolio.

He also invited Perenco to collaborate with the state sector to provide support in unlocking further value from the country’s hydrocarbon assets and encouraged the company to explore partnerships and investment opportunities both locally and regionally.

Perenco officials reaffirmed their dedication to collaborating with the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries to achieve mutual benefits, the release stated.

They expressed confidence that their expertise in optimising mature and marginal fields will significantly contribute to the country’s development.

Dr Moonilal also emphasised government’s commitment to supporting upstream operators by establishing a competitive fiscal environment that fosters investment and maximises returns to citizens.

Attending the meeting from the ministry were Permanent Secretary  Penelope Bradshaw-Niles and acting Permanent Secretary  Karinsa Tulsie.

The Perenco executives present were Chairman Francois Perrodo, Group Chief Executive Officer Armel Simondin, Outgoing General Manager Gregoire de Courcelles, Incoming General Manager Stephane Barc,  Business Advisor Allan Russell and Administrative Manager Stephen Awah.