Shell delivers first gas from Barracuda Project

Shell Trinidad and Tobago has announced that production has started on Block 5C in the East Coast Marine Area (ECMA) in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Barracuda project comprises two subsea wells (both 100% Shell owned), one in the Endeavour field and the other in the Bounty field. Both are tied back to Shell’s Dolphin platform.

According to Shell, this marks a significant milestone in the delivery of gas both domestically and internationally through Atlantic LNG.

“Today’s announcement strengthens the resilience and competitiveness of Shell’s position in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Maarten Wetselaar, Director of Integrated Gas, Renewable and Energy Solutions. “This is a key growth opportunity that supports our long-term strategy in the country as well as our global LNG growth ambitions.”

Block 5C, known as Project Barracuda, is a backfill project with approximately 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) (140 mmscf/d) of sustained near-term gas production with peak production expected to be approximately 40,000 boe/d (220 mmscf/d). It is Shell’s first greenfield project in the country and one of its largest in Trinidad and Tobago since the BG Group acquisition.

“We are immensely proud of our people and the remarkable work it took to achieve this milestone, particularly given that drilling began in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Eugene Okpere, Shell’s Senior VP and Country Chair. “Our execution strategy had to be completely overhauled to deliver our business plan, all while working remotely. It required tremendous resilience, adaptability and commitment.”

The ECMA is one of the most prolific gas-producing areas in Trinidad and Tobago. As part of Shell’s development strategy, the company has sought ways to access the significant volumes that exist in the ECMA and to bring them online.

Shell now looks forward to the delivery of the four-well development project in Block 22 and NCMA 4, known as the Colibri project. This is a joint venture with Heritage Petroleum Company Limited. First gas from Colibri is expected in 2022.