Shell, Mc Dermott and Trinidad Offshore Fabricators Unlimited (TOFCO) recently hosted a ceremonial simulation of steel cutting to signal the commencement of the local fabrication phase for the Manatee Project, at the TOFCO Yard, La Brea Industrial Estate.

The local fabrication of jackets and piles (legs and supporting frame) for the Manatee Platform will kick-off in December 2024, and the Manatee jacket is notably the largest jacket to be built locally at TOFCO’s yard. This comes after the Manatee Project commemorated the first steel cutting ceremony for its topside in July 2024, at Mc Dermott’s Altamira Fabrication Yard in Mexico, one week after the ‘Final Investment Decision’ (FID) was made by Shell; demonstrating the fast pace at which the project is moving.

In delivering the keynote address at the inauguration ceremony, The Honourable Stuart R. Young S.C. M.P. Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister stated, “This has been my third visit to the TOFCO yard in the last month to view fabrication projects that were a direct outcome of government policy and strategy coming together and The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will continue delivering world-class opportunities to La Brea, Point Fortin and other communities in Trinidad and Tobago.”

In 2019, a government-to-government agreement was made between the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Bolivarian Republic of

Venezuela allowing each country to independently develop its respective share of the Loran-Manatee field. Manatee is expected to start production in 2027 and once online, Manatee is expected to reach peak production of approximately 104,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) (604 MMscf/d). The projected gas production will boost Trinidad and Tobago’s economy and earn foreign exchange though the utilization of local services and hydrocarbon exports.

Commenting on the local fabrication milestone event, Mr. Adam Lowmass, Senior Vice President and Country Chair, Shell stated, “At Shell, we are proud to partner with professional organizations like Mc Dermott and TOFCO. We are confident that the Manatee Jacket will be completed on time and with high quality of craftsmanship and look forward to bringing this project online for Trinidad and Tobago.”

General Manager at TOFCO, Javed Mohammed acknowledged the work ahead and the positive relationship between the government and the project’s stakeholders by stating that, “The journey ahead will be filled with challenges, but it is through our collaboration and perseverance that we will turn these challenges into opportunities for growth and success as we set new standards in offshore construction. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. Thank you for your continuing support.”

Also present at the ceremony were, The Honourable Stephen Mc Clashie, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for La Brea; Mr. Kennedy Richards, Member of Parliament for Point Fortin; Jorge Chapa, Country Manager Mexico, Mc Dermott; and Mr. Asgar Ali, Director, TOFCO.