Shell Trinidad and Tobago, through BG International, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, has started production on Block 5C in the East Coast Marine Area in Trinidad and Tobago. Block 5C, known as Project Barracuda, is a backfill project with approximately 140 MMcf/D of sustained near-term gas production with peak production expected to be about 220 MMcf/D. It is Shell’s first greenfield project in the country and one of its largest in Trinidad and Tobago since the BG Group acquisition.
“Today’s announcement strengthens the resilience and competitiveness of Shell’s position in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Maarten Wetselaar, director of integrated gas, renewable, and energy solutions for Shell. “This is a key growth opportunity that supports our long-term strategy in the country as well as our global LNG growth ambitions.”
The Barracuda project comprises two subsea wells, one in the Endeavour field and the other in the Bounty field. Both are tied back to Shell’s Dolphin platform. These are two of the deepest development wells in Trinidad and Tobago; Endeavour was drilled to a depth of 20,000 ft while Bounty was drilled to a depth of 16,000 ft.
Shell now looks forward to the delivery of the four-well development project in Block 22 and NCMA 4, known as the Colibri project, from which first gas is expected next year. Colibri is a joint venture with Heritage Petroleum Company Ltd.
Shell is a major shareholder in Atlantic LNG, located at Point Fortin on the southwest coast of Trinidad. The company’s equity in the Atlantic plant ranges from 46 to 57.5% in each of the four trains at the facility.