Trinidad and Tobago extends acreage bidding

March 24, 2006
The Trinidad and Tobago government has granted a 2-month extension of bidding for exploration and production rights to eight blocks on land and near shore and three shallow-water blocks.

Curtis Williams
OGJ Correspondent

PORT OF SPAIN, Mar. 24 -- The Trinidad and Tobago government has granted a 2-month extension of bidding for exploration and production rights to eight blocks on land and near shore and three shallow-water blocks.

Energy Minister Lenny Saith said the deadline was extended to the end of May because companies requested more time to study the data.

"There has been a lot of interest shown. Several companies have purchased data packages so the extension was simply to allow them enough time to study the packages," Saith said.

He said he expected several bids on the blocks including from companies not now operating in Trinidad and Tobago.

Blocks in combined onshore and nearshore areas include:

-- Guayaguayare, shallow horizon block, 1,126 sq km with the shallow horizon exploration rights down to 1,525 m.

-- Guayaguayare, deep horizon block, 1,193 sq km with exploration rights starting at 1,525 m.

-- Southwest Peninsula, shallow horizon block, 538 sq km with exploration rights extending to 3,200 m and 4,572 m for prescribed areas around committed wells.

-- Southwest Peninsula, deep horizon block, 917 sq km with exploration rights starting at 3,200 m and 4,572 m for prescribed areas around committed wells.

-- Herrera, shallow horizon block, 241 sq km with exploration rights down to 3,962 m in the north and 2,286 m in the south.

-- Herrera, deep horizon block, 712 sq km with exploration rights starting at 3,962 m in the north and 2,286 m in the south.

-- Central Range, shallow horizon block, 734 sq km with exploration rights extending to 1,372 m.

-- Central Range, deep horizon block, 856 sq km with exploration rights starting at 1,372 m.

Blocks of shallow marine acreage off the north and east coasts of Trinidad include Block 2(ab), 1,605 sq km; Block NCMA 2, 1,019 sq km; and Block NCMA 3, 1,019 sq km. Water depths are 25-130 m.