Roodal Moonilal, Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister, has expressed regret that previous administrations did not deepen collaboration with emerging Caribbean oil producers, while signalling strong interest in partnering with Guyana to help revitalise the country’s refinery sector.
Moonilal made the remarks during Guyana’s Energy Conference on Wednesday, where he appeared alongside Patrick Brunings, Suriname’s Minister of Oil, Gas and Environment, and Vickram Bharrat, Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources.
Addressing delegates, Moonilal acknowledged that earlier Trinidadian governments had not fully capitalised on opportunities to partner with Guyana as its oil industry expanded. He said the current administration led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar is committed to strengthening energy ties with both Guyana and Suriname to advance mutual development.
A central component of the proposed collaboration is the potential restart of the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, formerly operated by Petrotrin. The facility, which closed in 2018, has a processing capacity of about 150,000 barrels of oil per day. Moonilal suggested that crude from regional producers, including Guyana, could support efforts to reopen and sustain operations at the refinery.
He noted that Trinidad and Tobago also has several petrochemical facilities—from ammonia plants to liquefied natural gas operations—currently operating below optimal capacity, which could be leveraged to support wider regional energy initiatives.
Moonilal further proposed the establishment of a regional forum bringing together Caribbean energy ministers on a regular basis to coordinate development strategies, avoid duplication of projects and strengthen collaboration across the sector.
Bharrat confirmed that discussions among Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname are ongoing, adding that closer cooperation among the three energy-producing nations could help meet regional energy needs. He also indicated that investors operating in Guyana are being encouraged to explore additional opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago as part of expanding regional partnerships.
