Pointe-a-Pierre MP, David Lee, has raised concern with BP’s pausing of talks with Venezuela on the development of the Manakin-Cocuina field.
In a media release today, MP Lee said, “Yet again another one of Minister Young’s promises of future gas for Trinidad and Tobago is on a Red light!”
The Opposition Shadow Energy Minister said: BP’s decision to pause talks with Venezuela on the development of the Manakin-Cocuina field as a result of the reinstatement of US Sanctions, a mere two months after discussions began, is evidence that a number of this Government’s gas prospect and the entire outlook of the energy sector is based on “hopes and dreams”.
The Opposition was surprised that BP would have started “talks” with the reimposition of USA sanctions looming. Were they pushed into meeting with Venezuela?
On March 15th Minister Young boasted about this project in Parliament, stating that he was hailed by global Ministers for this development as this was, as he stated, “top of the news in the global energy reports”
He said this government’s persistent approach is to pursue the vulnerable, unstable path of trying to tap into Venezuelan reserves for gas, while neglecting the monetization of gas within our own borders.
It is beyond reason and rationale that this Government would rather carry the oil and gas companies to a foreign province to access their gas as Minister Young did with this project as opposed to placing all his efforts here, to monetize our gas for maximum benefit for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
MP Lee said: “Yes, we are a mature province, but there is oil and gas, it just requires innovation, incentivisaton, political will and work.”