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This is based on an evaluation of gas resources which was done by the ministry.

“We were quite comfortable. We have enough of our gas resources to meet projects we agreed on,” Mayers said at the Joint Select Committee meeting at the Parliament Chamber with officials from the Energy Ministry.

He said the government agreed to “strategic projects” and gas reserves were allocated for these and there was gas for exiting projects–11 ammonia and seven methanol plants.

“This is based on the existing gas reserves we have determined through exploration and other activities. There are other activities to come which will shore up our gas reserves”.

Helena Innis-King, director, Resource Management provided a breakdown of the gas reserves for the country which stood at 30.1 trillion cubic feet (TCF).

She said the proven reserves resources, which were identified through drilling or earmarked for use, was 15.7 TCF; the probable reserve was 8.7 TCF and possible reserves were 6.39 TCF.

Innis-King explained that the probable reserves were not certain or dedicated to any project and had a risk of 50 percent while the possible reserves were “even more uncertain” and the risk level was 75 pecent.

She told the JSC members’ chairman Penelope Beckles, MP s Nizam Baksh, Winston Peters, Anthony Roberts and Senators June Melville and Gail Merhair,

that at the end of this month gas seven blocks will be launched for competitive bids. Innis- King said the bids will close in August and companies are given a year to 15 months after contract signing to prepare for drilling. Four of the blocks are located on the north coast, two on the east and one on the west coast.

She could not provide the JSC with an estimate of the yield from the blocks because these figures were being compiled. Speaking on another project, Mayers said the National Gas Company was building a pipeline which would allow gas to be channelled to Tobago and Barbados.

He said the government has committed to provide 30 million standard cubic feet of gas per day for Barbados.

The Eastern Caribbean Gas Pipeline project is managing the project.

Mayers said, “The unofficial report is that the government of Barbados has agreed to the project. We have not had official confirmation of that.”