T&T
launches gas institute
By
Adrian
Boodan
Trinidad
Guardian
Port
Spain
Petroleumworld.com
08 27 06
The growth and development of the
energy sector is a key factor in sustaining a high
standard of living in T&T, Dr Lenny Saith, the
Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Public
Administration and Information said Wednesday.
Saith was speaking at the launch
of the Natural Gas Institute of the Americas at
the University of T&T, Brechin Castle, Couva.
He said the Government was “particularly
pleased” about the successful development
of the country’s hydrocarbon resources.
He said: “This is critical
to creating sustainable economic growth and ensuring
a high standard of living for the citizenry.”
T&T stands as a leading producer
of LNG and is the largest supplier to the United
States.
This country also holds the chair
of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum—15 of
the world’s most influential natural gas-producing
and exporting countries.
“The pivotal role played by
T&T in this forum for the 2005/2006 term, allowed
our country to participate in the global energy
arena at the level of the strategy formulation and
on the conduct of technical studies which ultimately
guides the future development of the global gas
industry,” Saith said.
Saith said the Government had expressed
interest in the development of seven valued-added
energy-related projects representing more than US$8
billion in direct investment. These include two
aluminium smelters, a polypropylene complex, an
iron and steel complex, melamine and UAN complexes
and a maleic anhydride plant
Saith said the entry of new industries
into T&T meant the introduction of innovative
technologies and expertise to the domestic landscape.
He said it was within this context
that the Natural Gas Institute of the Americas assumed
greatest significance as it provided the platform
for a quantum leap from simply being end-users of
energy technology to “the elite realm of inventors
and innovators.”
Saith said T&T’s proposed
first Gas to Liquids Plant proposed for Pointe-a-Pierre,
will be a joint venture agreement between World
GTL and Petrotrin costing an estimated US$101 million.
Saith said that the project was
currently awaiting a CEC Clearance from the Environmental
Management Authority to begin construction.
He
said that the project would be a 2,200 barrels/day
plant using 18.4 million standard cubic per day
of natural gas, producing mainly diesel and naphtha.
Trinidad Guardian
Wednesday,
August 23rd 2006
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