Today marks the end of Petrotrin’s operations and is an understandably difficult period for all of those affected. Consistent with its commitment, the Company has today disbursed $2.7 billion in exit and other payments to its employees.
One of the major barriers facing small contractors and service companies wanting to do business with international oil and gas companies is meeting the high safety, health and environmental standards that they demand of all their suppliers. If a contractor or service company does not meet the operator’s health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, they will not even be able to bid for work. This is a particular challenge in countries with new hydrocarbon industries, such as Guyana, especially if they do not have an existing, well-developed, national legislative framework and a history of a strong safety culture. Operators are not going to lower their standards to accommodate local contractors. And nor should they — we all want people to be safe and healthy, and the environment to be protected.
On Wednesday 21st November, the new upstream player in Trinidad and Tobago, DeNovo delivers first gas from the Iguana field.
On Wednesday 21st November 2018, the Joint Chambers gave three national non-governmental organisations TT$200,000 each, to fund their continued work in flood relief and rebuilding. Cheques were handed to the three organisations in a brief ceremony at First Citizens Bank branch in Gulf City, San Fernando.
TSTT’s decision to retrench over 500 workers (and a promise of more to come from the company’s non-unionised and senior employees) will come as no surprise to those who follow the parlous state of many of T&T’s state-owned companies.
It is about time we have an open, frank and constructive discussion about the kind of industrial relations we need and want for our country. After all, the current one is just not working.
The first export of crude oil from Petrotrin was loaded onto the tanker Hellespont Progress on Tuesday 30th October 2018 and is listed as being destined for Panama on marine tracking websites. According to a press release from Petrotrin dated 1st November 2018, the tanker was loaded with approximately 500,000 barrels of crude oil which was purchased by Trafigura Oil Traders, one of the world’s major commodity traders.
As you know, after three days of intense rains, many areas in T&T have flooded.
We have previously worked with many members and partners to provide regional disaster relief after Hurricanes Irma and Maria and to assist local victims of flooding last year. Once again the Joint Chambers will be working together on disaster relief: AMCHAM T&T, The Energy Chamber, The Trinidad & Tobago Chamber, TTCSI & TTMA.
We would like to do what we can to help the victims of the most recent floods. Every donation helps.
The current legal wrangling at the Industrial Court and the Appeal Court over the imminent closure of the oil refinery and the injunction preventing TSTT from consolidating its residential fibre optic cable business has highlighted the need for serious reform to Trinidad & Tobago’s industrial relations legislative framework. The Energy Chamber of Trinidad & Tobago has been working closely with our colleagues in the other major Chambers and Associations over the past few years to propose a new approach to industrial relations, based on respect and a collaborative approach that aims at a mutually beneficial outcome rather than the out-dated adversarial system. We fully support the calls for change made last week by the Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and we are united in this endeavour.
The debate over Petrotrin’s future is fast becoming a choice between a real and a surreal world for Trinidad and Tobago.
The Board of Directors of Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Petrotrin) met on Thursday (2018 September 27) with the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (O.W.T.U.) in a follow-up to a meeting last week when the Union presented, for the Board’s review, the O.W.T.U’s plan to restructure Petrotrin. In addition to the restructuring plan, the Union had also tabled a proposal for leasing the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery.
At her address to mark the beginning of the new law term earlier this week, the President of the Industrial Court, Mrs Deborah Thomas-Felix, made reference to what she termed as criticisms of the court for alleged bias against employers.
BHP Marine Advisory Notice - Deepwater Exploration Drilling in Block TTDAA5
Over 200 volunteers came out on Saturday 15th September to support this event by dedicating their time and efforts by removing and recording every single piece of garbage collected at the beach. The data collecting exercise assists with research information and policy development for the marine environment.
The Energy Chamber wishes to publicly recognize and applaud the outstanding achievement of contracting companies who have demonstrated a commitment to high HSE standards in their organizations. All companies were certified during the period May 2017 – August 2018.
The Joint Chambers have noted the comments made by President of the Industrial Court, Justice Deborah Thomas-Felix, at a special sitting to mark the opening of the court’s new term.
The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago warmly welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago and congratulates both governments on this positive step towards strengthening regional economic and social integration.
Read the full MOU between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago
Canadian exploration company, CGX Energy, has announced the name of their new exploration well. The Utakwaaka well will be located in the Corentyne Block in Guyana. CGX Energy holds a 100 per cent stake in the block and according to the company, the well will be drilled in November 2019.