Shell takes FID on Aphrodite gas project, lets contract

Shell Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. has taken a final investment decision (FID) on the Aphrodite gas project in Block 5a in Trinidad and Tobago’s East Coast Marine Area and has awarded a related contract.

Aphrodite field was discovered in 2022 in 290 m of water. Once regulatory approvals are in place, field development will begin with production expected to start in 2027. The field will serve as a backfill for the country’s 15-million tonne/year Atlantic LNG plant in Port Fortin with an estimated peak production of about 18,400 boe/d (107 MMscfd), the operator said in a statement. 

The project will involve a new single subsea tieback to existing infrastructure in the Barracuda subsea network. Gas will be routed via Shell’s Dolphin A platform to the domestic market via the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago, while the export LNG market will be serviced through the Shell-operated 3-bcfd onshore Beachfield gas processing infrastructure.

Shell subsequently let a contract to Subsea 7 SA for the gas project that calls for the transportation and installation of subsea equipment at Aphrodite, the service provider said in a separate statement June 9.

Project management and engineering activities will begin immediately at Subsea7's office in Houston, Tex., with offshore operations planned for 2027.

Shell will operate Aphrodite with 100% interest.