Trinidad LNG output decline accelerates

Trinidad and Tobago posted an 8.8pc decline in LNG production to 26.40mn m³ in January-November 2015 compared with the corresponding period a year earlier, the energy ministry reported today.

The decline reflected a prolonged natural gas shortage, with average production in the 11-month period at 3.827bn ft³/d (107mn m3/d), 5.6pc lower than a year earlier.

The downturn points to ongoing supply restrictions of up to 30pc, affecting LNG production and the petrochemicals sector.

Trinidad's LNG producer Atlantic has not responded to a query from Argus about the impact on its export commitments.

The curtailments are affecting all four trains of the 14.8mn t/yr Atlantic liquefaction complex.

The government expects an easing of curtailments in early 2017 with the start of production from BP Group's subsidiary bpTT's 1.2 trillion ft³ offshore Juniper field which is projected to deliver 590mn ft³/d.

But Trinidad is expected to maintain curtailments until 2018, the chairman of state-run gas company NGC Gerry Brooks has said.

Atlantic is owned by BP, BG, Shell, China's sovereign wealth fund CIC unit Summer Soca and NGC.

South America accounts for 62pc of Trinidad´s LNG exports, followed by North America with 16pc and other markets with the balance.

Trinidad´s crude production averaged 79,146 b/d between January and November, down by 2.2pc from a year earlier.

The economy contracted in the first three quarters of 2015. The central bank blamed the downturn on the flagging energy sector.