Government meets with key stakeholders in the petrochemical industry

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The Government recently engaged in a series of high-level meetings with key international and local stakeholders in the petrochemical sector. Over the last couple of days, the Prime Minister and Ministers of Energy and Energy Industries met with Nutrien, Pt Lisas Nitrogen Limited (PLNL) and Caribbean Gas Chemical Limited (CGCL).

On November 19, 2025, Dr. the Honourable Roodal Moonilal (Minister of Energy and Energy Industries), the Honourable Ernesto Kesar (Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries) with executives from Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited (PLNL). The PLNL team, led by President Mr. Fitzroy Harewood and Vice Chairperson Mr. Jason Kubik, presented an overview of the company's operations, strategic priorities, and ongoing investment initiatives. At the meeting, the Ministers reaffirmed the Government's focus on economic growth, long-term value creation in the domestic energy sector, and addressing gas supply issues, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

The following day, November 20, 2025, Minister Kesar and Ministry officials held discussions with executives from Caribbean Gas Chemical Limited (CGCL), a joint venture involving Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc., Mitsubishi Corporation, Massy Holdings Ltd., and the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC). Minister Kesar stressed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the continued growth and stability of the petrochemical industry. Discussions centered on CGCL's current operations, opportunities for increased production, economic efficiency, and strategies for enhancing value creation for the national economy.

The Prime Minister, Kamla Persad Bisessar, held a separate meeting with executives from Nutrien Ltd., one of the world's largest fertilizer companies, following concerns raised by the company about a lack of response from the Government regarding ongoing negotiations.

Nutrien CEO Ken Seitz and senior vice president for nitrogen operations Dean Perkins based in Canada joined local Vice President Edmond Thompson for talks with the Prime Minister, Dr. Moonilal, and NGC/National Energy Chairman Gerald Ramdeen.

This meeting was a critical engagement on the future of Nutrien’s Trinidad operations, which currently involves the temporary shutdown of its Trinidad Nitrogen facility since October 23, 2025.

The shutdown was disclosed in the company's third-quarter earnings report, which assumed "no additional sales volumes from our Trinidad operations for the remainder of 2025," citing gas constraints and the need to assess options to enhance the facility's long-term financial performance. A key point of contention was Nutrien's disagreement with retroactive port fees imposed by National Energy.

Following the meeting, both CEO Seitz and Minister Moonilal described the talks as "good" and "very well." A post by the UNC on social media reiterated the Prime Minister’s commitment to "protecting jobs and ensuring continued investment" in the energy sector.

Minister Moonilal confirmed that the Prime Minister chaired the productive discussion and that talks are ongoing, though he declined to elaborate on the specific matters discussed.