Curtis Williams
OGJ Correspondent
PORT OF SPAIN, July 25 -- Trinidad and Tobago's state oil company Petroleum Co. of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. (Petrotrin) has reduced its crude oil production by nearly 15,000 b/d due to safety concerns.
Average oil production has been cut to 47,000 b/d, down from 62,000 b/d. Petrotrin's head of operations Wayne Bertrand said the company shut down some offshore production following an explosion in late May [when a 12-in. pipeline on Trinmar Platform 21 ruptured in Soldado field, killing one and injuring two pipeline workers].
Petrotrin said it has had little success rerouting production through other facilities. Major problems with offshore facilities have resulted in Petrotrin's shutting down five platforms.
The company's 165,000-b/d Pointe-a-Pierre refinery also needs upgrading, and the company last week floated a $750 million issue to raise capital for the improvements. It has engaged Shell Global Solutions for 5 years to optimize the refinery and develop greater efficiencies in its existing plants. The gasoline optimization program will add five new plants that will enable the refinery to produce higher quality diesel and gasoline.
Petrotrin said natural gas production has not been affected. The company continues to produce 144 MMcfd of gas.
