Curtis Williams
OGJ Correspondent
PORT OF SPAIN, May 20 -- Trinidad and Tobago Energy Minister Conrad Enill said the twin-island nation is offering five new exploration blocks in its 2008 bid round.
The blocks include:
-- Block 4(b) in 400-800 m of water off Trinidad and Tobago's east coast. It lies just east of BG Group's prolific Dolphin field, which holds more than 5 tcf of gas.
-- Block 5(d), also off the east coast, is north of the Manikin gas discovery in 450-800 m of water.
-- NCMA (3), (4), and (5)—all off the northern coast—are believed to be gas-prone. They lie in more-shallow water (100-550 m).
Enil said the bids will be welcomed in the third quarter. No date has as yet been set for the closing or for announcement of the winner, but the minister said he is hopeful it will be accomplished by January 2009.
Utradeepwater to be rebid
The minister also acknowledged that the 2006 ultradeepwater bid round did not go as well as planned because only Statoil submitted bids, for TDAA Block 5 (OGJ, Jan. 15, 2007 Newsletter).
His ministry plans to target companies with a history of drilling in deep water.
He said, "Our approach is slightly different. We know the kind of companies that are attracted to that kind of risk, and it will be our intention to go after those who have an appetite to drill in fairly deep water."
The ministry will rebid the ultradeep parcels in 2009.
