Caption: Mala Baliraj
By Prior Beharry
A SLATE of new oil and gas projects is building momentum in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector in 2026.
This according to Energy Chamber chair Mala Baliraj.
In opening address at the 2026 T&T Energy Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on Monday, Baliraj said, “We have seen some projects being completed and moving to begin production, notably the bpTT Cypre project and the EOG/bpTT joint venture Mento project.”
She also pointed to renewables. She said, “Trinidad’s first grid-scale renewables project, the Brechin Castle solar farm, also began producing green electrons in 2025.”
Baliraj said a pipeline of developments remains active. “These projects join others already in execution and working towards first production,” she said, citing “the EOG/bpTT Coconut project, which is in execution with the platform being constructed in the TOFCO yard,” and adding that “bpTT’s fourth subsea project, Ginger, is also on schedule to deliver first gas in 2027.”
She described the scale of activity still to come, saying, “The biggest project in execution is the Shell Manatee, set to come onstream at the end of 2027.”
Baliraj added, “By all reports, execution of these major projects are all proceeding as planned: important news for the downstream gas industry.”
Government action to speed up approvals has also helped lift confidence, she said. “Getting investment decisions made on these and other upstream projects remains the most important element to secure the future of Trinidad’s energy sector,” Baliraj told the conference.
“In recent months, we have seen the Minister of Energy place a firm focus on accelerating approvals in the energy sector, culminating in the welcome news of the Cabinet’s decision to establish an oversight committee, the Energy Accelerator Hub,” she said.
“It is heartening to see a focus placed on this area, and it aligns with our advocacy position over the years,” Baliraj added. “The Energy Chamber remains fully committed to working with the Government on that process.”
But she said further changes could unlock more investment, particularly in smaller discoveries. “In addition to accelerating the approvals process, other changes could help investment decisions be made for some of the discovered but undeveloped fields,” Baliraj said.
“Fiscal reform remains an essential element for some fields, especially small and marginal gas fields where a tiered approach may be required.”
Baliraj said, “These are policy decisions within Trinidad and Tobago’s control, and we look forward to productive dialogue on these with the relevant stakeholders.”
