Shell Trinidad and Tobago has made a significant move by announcing its final investment decision on the Manatee field, marking a step towards future production. The field, located on the border between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, is set to commence production by 2027.
The project, outlined in a media release from Shell on July 9, entails the installation of a platform with eight development wells. These wells will be connected to a 110-km-long pipeline that leads to the Shell-operated Beachfield gas processing facility. From there, the gas will be transported to the Atlantic LNG facility and to NGC for distribution in the domestic gas market.
By tapping into the resources of the Manatee field, Shell aims to bolster its integrated gas business. This initiative will complement the company’s existing operations in the East Coast Marine Area (ECMA) off the southeast coast of Trinidad, where gas-producing fields like Dolphin, Starfish, Bounty, and Endeavour are situated.
Moreover, the Manatee project is poised to provide support for the country’s Atlantic LNG facility. Shell emphasizes the importance of maximizing the utilization of existing LNG plants to enhance the potential of its assets.
Looking ahead, Shell has ambitious plans to expand its LNG business by 20-30% by the year 2030 in comparison to 2022 figures. Additionally, the company aims to boost liquefaction volumes by 25-30% to drive growth and profitability.
The discovery of the Loran-Manatee field dates back to 1983, positioning it about 100 km off the eastern coast of Trinidad. Situated at an average water depth of 105 meters, the field straddles the maritime boundaries of both Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.
With an estimated 10.04 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas reserves, the Manatee field alone accounts for over 2.7 tcf. It is projected to achieve peak production of around 104,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), signaling promising prospects for the future.
In light of this development, it’s worth noting that a framework treaty was signed by Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela in 2007 to address cross-border fields. Subsequently, a unitization agreement was reached in 2010 specifically covering production from the Loran-Manatee field. However, in 2019, this agreement was terminated amid escalating sanctions on Venezuela imposed by the US government, signaling a complex geopolitical backdrop to the project.
