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Trinidad & Tobago Natural Gas Profile &
Industrial Plants
Methanol Production, Natural Gas and World Market
The Trinidad and Tobago Methanol Company (TTMC) was established by the State in
1982 and was the first methanol company in the country. Its first plant started
production in 1984. TTMC’s second plant came on stream in 1996. Current Methanol
production figures are now as follows;
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1998 |
2002 |
2005 |
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Total Trinidad Production (000’s MT)
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1914 |
3020 |
6575 |
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Trinidad Production as % of World
Capacity |
5.6% |
8% |
17.1% |
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Trinidad Sales as % of World Demand |
8.3% |
9.9% |
22.4% |
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Trinidad Sales as % of Trade |
19.2% |
18.2% |
32.2% |
Natural Gas Profile 2006
By 2006, with the addition of Train 3 (in 2003) and Train 4 (projected in 2006)
the projected LNG gas usage is approximately 56% of the total. With the addition
of the Atlas and M5000 Mega Plants, Methanol retains its portion of 15%, however
Ammonia drops to 15%. The usage for Power Generation is expected to be 5% while
that for other Commercial and Industrial Users is expected to be 9%.
The increased emphasis on LNG is expected to impact the petrochemical sector. It
is possible that there could be a reduced availability of natural gas for new
petrochemical production. There may also be some pressure for a change from the
product related pricing structures that currently exists for the petrochemical
industry in Trinidad. There are good medium to long-term prospects for growth in
new applications, including: Methanol to olefins, Power Generation, Fuel Cells
and DME
Gas Profile
The energy sector is the mainstay of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago
contributing approximately 34.1% to the country’s GDP, 85.5% to merchandise
exports and 37.1% to Government revenues in 2004.
In 2004 crude oil production averaged 122,902 barrels per day (bbl/d), while
natural gas production averaged 2,938 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd).
As at 1.1.2004 proved crude oil reserves were estimated at 756 million barrels
while proved natural gas reserves stood at 18.8 trillion cubic feet.
The petrochemical sector (methanol, ammonia, urea, natural gas liquids) has
continued to grow in tandem with the expansion in gas production and reserves.
With the coming on stream in April 2003 of Atlantic LNG (ALNG) Train 3 plant the
country is now ranked the fifth largest producer of LNG in the world and the
second largest producer in the Atlantic Basin. A further increase in LNG
production would result when ALNG Train 4 plant, 5.2 million tonnes per annum,
comes on stream at end 2005.
Gas production 2003-2004
Natural gas production of Trinidad and Tobago averaged 2865 MMscf/d for the
fiscal year Oct. 03 to Sept. 04 (03/04) and was 16.3 % more than the 02/03
average (of 2463 MMscf/d). This furnished increases in market demand for LNG and
two new Petrochemical plants.
The increase in LNG was mainly due to Train 3 (start-up date April 03) being in
operation for the full 03/04-period, as compared to half the time for the
02/03-period.
BP Trinidad and Tobago LLC (bpTT LLC) produced 66.3 % of the country’s total and
continued to be the largest producer and supplier to both The National Gas
Company (NGC) and Atlantic LNG (ALNG). Their average production increased by
16.6 % from 1630 MMscf/d in 02/03 to 1901 MMscf/d in 03/04. This increase came
primarily from the Kapok field, mainly to supply Train III and the new Atlas
Methanol plant. From their total production, 628 MMscf/d was sold to the
domestic market (NGC) and 1152 MMscf/d to ALNG, Trains I, II and III. In
comparison to the 02/03-period, 606 MMscf/d was sold to the domestic market
(NGC) and 880 MMscf/d to ALNG, Trains I, II and III.
The tying in of Cassia B to Cassia-A platform was undertaken during Oct./Nov.
2003. Gas from Flamboyant, Immortelle, Cassia and Kapok flows through the Cassia
B Hub, which has the capacity to process up to 2.0 bcf/d. The first phase of the
Kapok field development continued in 2004 and completion is expected by Dec. 04.
Production started in August 2003 and attained a maximum rate of 615 MMscf/d in
Sept. 04, from five wells.
British Gas Trinidad Limited (BG) the country's second largest gas producer
accounted for 23.3% of the country’s total. Their average production increased
by 17.6 %, from 568 MMscf/d in 02/03 to 668 MMscf/d in 03/04. This increase in
production was mainly to supply ALNG Train III. From their total production, 256
MMscf/d came from the Dolphin field and was sold to NGC. This amount represented
22.6 % that NGC required for 03/04. The remaining 412 MMscf/d came from the
Hibiscus Field and was sold to ALNG Trains II and III. In comparison to the
02/03-period 251 MMscf/d was sold to the domestic market (NGC) and 318 MMscf/d
(12 month average) to ALNG Trains II and III.
EOG Resources Trinidad Limited (EOGR) accounted for 7.0 % of the country’s total
gas produced. Their average production increased by 9.9 % from 182 MMscf/d in
02/03 to 200 MMscf/d in 03/04. The increased production came from two fields,
Osprey and Parula and was sold to the domestic market (NGC).
Apart from supplying gas to the CNC ammonia plant, the increased production from
Osprey was to supply gas to the new N2000 ammonia plant. Production from Parula
field came on in Feb. 04, to maintain current SECC contract supply to NGC. All
of EOGR’s gas was sold to NGC and this represented 17.0 % of gas sales to NGC.
Trinidad and Tobago Marine Petroleum Company (Trintomar) produced at an average
daily rate of 0.30 MMscf/d, while Petrotrin-Trinmar marine operations, average
daily rate was 62 MMscf/d. Petrotrin-Trinmar’s gas production was mainly that
associated with the company’s oil production.
The natural gas production from the land fields of the State owned company
Petrotrin averaged 15 MMscf/d. Petrotrin continued to supplement its fuel needs
with purchases from the National Gas Company. The purchases were for use in
refinery operations and for steam generation in the area of enhanced oil
recovery.
Central Block, which was previously operated by Vermillion Oil and Gas Trinidad
Ltd. is now operated by British Gas as a joint venture with Petrotrin. The
average production during the fiscal period 2003/04 was 20 MMscf/d. A new
production facility to process 65 MMscf/d and 3900 blpd was planned to replace
the existing 20 MMscf/d and 500 blpd facility.
LNG
Atlantic LNG (ALNG) was supplied with an estimated 1565 MMscf/d by bpTT and BG
in 03/04, compared with 1199 MMscf/d in 02/03. Train I utilized an estimated 487
MMscf/d of natural gas during the period 03/04 reaching a maximum rate of 547
MMscf/d in August 2004. Train II utilized an estimated 548 MMscf/d for the
period 03/04, reaching a maximum of 577 MMscf/d in December 03, while Train III
utilized an estimated 530 MMscf/d, reaching a maximum of 580 MMscf/d in August
04. In comparison, ALNG Train I during the previous fiscal year 02/03 utilized
an average of 461 MMscf/d, peaking at 506 MMscf/d in February 03. Train II
processed an average of 519 MMscf/d with a peak of 566 MMscf/d in February 03.
Train III however, commenced operations in April 03 and the average utilization
during the six-month period to September 04 was 437 MMscf/d.
Natural Gas Demand
In 2004, Atlantic Liquefied Natural Gas Company (ALNG) was the main user of
extracted natural gas, accounting for some 56% of the total sales of natural gas
in that year. Most of the gas received by ALNG is utilized in the production of
LNG, while some natural gas liquids are also produced at the plant, which is
piped to PPGPL for separation into propane, butane and natural gas gasoline. The
gas demand by ALNG increased substantially in 2002 and 2003 mainly due to the
commissioning of two new liquefying trains. The remainder of the gas was sold by
the NGC to various customers. The petrochemical industry accounted for 68% of
NGC sales in 2004; power generation, 20%; iron and steel, 6.9%; gas processing,
2.1%; and other including refinery, 3%; Among petrochemicals, the main users
were: the ammonia, methanol and urea industries, with 59%, 40%, and 1% of the
total petrochemical sales, respectively.
Trinidad & Tobago - Industrial Plants
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
The Atlantic LNG Company of Trinidad and Tobago began operations with the
commissioning of its first plant (US$1.1 billion, 450 million cubic feet per
day) in April 1999 at Point Fortin, Trinidad. A Trains 3 & 4 Expansion was
completed in April 2003 to bring local LNG export capacity to just under 10 MM
tonnes per annum and lift the country’s ranking to fifth in the world in LNG
production. A Train 4, 5.2 MM tonnes per annum, further expansion is underway
and is expected to commence production in late 2005. LNG from Trinidad and
Tobago has been contracted to supply the US and Spanish markets.
Atlantic LNG Company
Joint Venture Partners:
Train 1
- bpTT, 34%, British Gas, 26%, Repsol, 20%, Tractebel, 10%, National Gas Company
of T&T, 10%.
Train 2 & 3
- bpTT - 42.5%, British Gas, 32.5%, Repsol, 25%.
Train 4
– bpTT, 37.7; BGTT,28.89; Repsol, 22.22; NGC, 11.11
Natural Gas Liquids (NGL)
One Natural gas liquids recovery plant with a capacity to produce 13,000 barrels
of propane, butane and natural gasolines.
Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL)
Ownership: NGC - 51%; Conoco Inc - 39%; Pan West Constructors - 10%
Commissioned: June 1991
Purpose: Removal of natural gas liquids i.e. propane and butane from the gas
stream and conversion of these liquids into products for export into
international markets.
Products: Natural gas liquids - propane, butane, natural gasoline
Raw Materials: Natural gas, air and water.
PPGPL - New upgraded facilities commissioned on 29 April 1999
Capacity:
Natural gas processing: 1.35 billion cubic feet per day
Natural gas liquids (NGL) production: 33,500 barrels per day
NGL storage: 750,000 barrels per day
Total upgrade cost: US$155 MM
Methanol
There are six worldscale methanol plants having an overall capacity of
approximately 3.1 million tonnes per annum:
Trinidad and Tobago Methanol Company (TTMC) - TTMC 1 and TTMC 11
The first plant, the Trinidad and Tobago Methanol Company (TTMC) started in 1984
and was formerly 100% state owned. It was fully divested in 1997 to CIL
Financial/Ferrostaal/Helm/GE Capital Group. TTMC II was established in 1996 and
is owned by TTMC.
Ownership: Ferrostaal AG, CL Financial, Helm AG, GE Capital
Commissioned: May 1984/May 1996
Full divestment: 1997
Partial divestment: 1994 (69% GORTT, 31% Ferrostaal/Helm).
Capacity: 500,000 tonnes/annum each
Technology: ICI
Caribbean Methanol Company (CMC) Ltd
The second methanol plant, the Caribbean Methanol Company (CMC) was established
in 1994. The plant is jointly owned by Clico Energy, a subsidiary of a local
insurance conglomerate, the German contracting firm of Ferrostaal A.G. and the
Canadian marketeer, Methanex.
Ownership: CL Financial / Ferrostaal
Commissioned: October 1993
Capacity: 500,000 tonnes/annum
Technology: ICI low-pressure process.
Operator: Process Plant Services Ltd
Methanol IV (CMC's 2nd plant)
Methanol IV Company Limited, established in 1998 is owned by the Clico/Ferrostaal/Helm/GE
Capital Group
Ownership: CL Financial / Ferrostaal
Capacity: 550,000 tonnes/annum
Technology: ICI
Commissioned: April 1998
Methanex
A fifth plant is owned by Methanex, formerly owned by Titan.
Ownership: Methanex 100%
Atlas
A sixth plant, Atlas Methanol, commenced production in 2004.
Ownership: Methanex - 63.1%, BPTT -9%
Methanol Holdings M5
Under Construction Commencing June 2005 - Methanol Holdings Trinidad and Tobago
Limited, in which local financial giant, Clico Energy, has a major shareholding,
is currently pursuing the construction of the country’s 7th Methanol plant with
a capacity of 5000 tonnes per day.
Ammonia – Fertilizers
Ten world scale ammonia plants, with a total plant capacity of 5.2 million
tonnes per annum
There are ten (10) ammonia plants that include two ammonia complexes on the
Point Lisas Industrial Estate with a total annual capacity of 5.2 million tonnes
per year. There is also a 0.6 million tonnes per year urea plant.
Tringen I
Complex comprises the two Tringen plants which are joint ventures between the
Government and the Norwegian firm Norsk Hydro; and a third ammonia plant, the
oldest in the country, which was formerly owned by W.R. Grace and acquired by
Norsk Hydro in 1991.
Ownership: Hydro Agri - 49%; Government - 51%
Commissioned: 1977
Capacity: 500,000 tonnes/annum
Technology: Fluor
Tringen 11
Ownership: Hydro Agri - 49%; Government - 51%
Commissioned: May 1988
Capacity: 454,000 tonnes/annum
Technology: Braun
YARA Trinidad Ltd (formerly Federation Chemicals Ltd, then Hydro Agri Trinidad
Ltd)
Ownership: YARA - 49%, Trinidad Nitrogen Company – 51%
Commissioned: 1959
Capacity: 227,000 tonnes/annum
Technology: Braun
PCS Nitrogen (Trinidad) Ltd
Fertilizer complex which is now owned by Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan
(PCS) comprises four ammonia plants.
Ownership: Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan - 100% in three ammonia plants
acquired from Arcadian in 1997. Plants 1 and 2 formerly owned by Fertrin (51%
GORTT and 49% Amoco) - acquired by Arcadian in 1993
PCS Plants 1 and 2
Commissioned: September 1981
Capacity: 454,000 tonnes/annum each
Process Technology: M.W. Kellogg
PCS Plant 3
Ownership: Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan - 100%
Commissioned: April 1996
Capacity: 250,000 tonnes/annum
Technology: Braun
PCS Plant 4
Ownership: PCS Nitrogen - 100%
Start-Up Date: August 1998
Capacity: 600,000 tonnes/annum
Natural gas consumption: 64 MMcfd
Contractor: M.W. Kellogg
Cost: US$290 million
Pt Lisas Nitrogen Limited (Formerly Farmland MissChem)
Capacity: 600,000 tonnes per annum technology – haber
Shareholders: Mississippi Chemicals 50% and KOCH Minerals (a German company)
50%. KOCH Minerals Services LLC bought Farmland Shares
Cost: US300Mn
Caribbean Nitrogen Company (CNC) I
Caribbean Nitrogen Company (CNC I) 1850 tonnes/day
Ownership: Clico Energy/Ferrostaal AG of Germany/Duke Energy Corp/EOG/Kellogg
Brown & Root, USA
Start-Up Date: June 2002
Capacity: 660,000 tonnes/annum
Cost: US$300 million
Caribbean Nitrogen Company (CNC) II Nitro 2000 plant
Ownership: Clico Energy/Ferrostaal AG of Germany/Duke Energy Corp/EOG/Kellogg
Brown & Root, USA
Start up Date: 2004
Capacity: 660,000 tonnes per annum
Urea
PCS Nitrogen Trinidad Limited
Ownership: Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan - 100%
Commissioned: December 1983
Capacity: 530,000 tonnes/annum
Technology: Snamprogeti
Iron and Steel
Two Plants owned by the Mittal Group
Mittal Caribbean Ispat Limited
Ownership: ISPAT - 100%
Capacity: per annum - 900,000 tonnes DRI pellets,700,000 tonnes of billets and
600,000 tonnes of wire rods
Mittal International Steel Group (ISG)
Plant formerly owned by Cleveland Cliffs
Nucor
Progressing plans to relocate a DRI plant from Louisiana, New Orleans. The plant
will utilize the proven Midrex technology.
O2N2
Mittal plant
Commissioned: 1981 by Petrotrin
Sold to Caribbean Ispat Ltd in 1993
Urea/Formaldehyde
Arestech
Ownership: Arestech Ltd - 100%
100% shares acquired from state-owned Urea/Formaldehyde Company in 1993
Oil Refining
PETROTRIN
Owns and operates the country's only operating refinery, located at
Pointe-a-Pierre, which manufactures petroleum products for local consumption and
for export to regional and international markets.
Refinery capacity
Petrotrin, Pointe-a-Pierre - 175,000 bbl/day
Pointe-a-Pierre refinery
Ownership: Government of Trinidad and Tobago - 100%
PETROTRIN is involved in a large range of petroleum-related activities,
including: exploration, development and production; transportation from the
oilfields to its refinery; purchase of crude oil on the international markets;
manufacturing; and services including third-party crude oil processing,
laboratory and a range of professional services.
In order to maintain optimal production levels at its refinery, PETROTRIN must
import crude oil. In 2004 crude oil imports amounted to 22.5 million barrels or
approximately 60% of refinery throughput. Most of these imports are derived from
Latin America (Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil) and West Africa. The refinery
currently imports crude oil from Barbados under a processing Agreement.
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