As of mid-April 2018, local news reported that the Trinidad and Tobago government plans an offshore bid round during 2019. More details regarding schedule and blocks have not been released, for the round which could include four shallow water and deep-water blocks near the Le Clerc well. The Ministry of Energy planned to announce the round in March 2018, instead of original schedule of late 2017. During the 2017 Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference in January 2017, the acting Energy and Energy Industries Minister Colm Imbert indicated plans to start an evaluation of possible blocks for offering - however no details were announced. Plans for an offshore round have been ongoing since 2015.    BHP Billiton reported on 18 January 2018 that it continues with appraisal work on the Le Clerc gas discovery, located in the TTDAA 5 Block - Trinidad Basin. The operator plans to start Phase 2 Deepwater exploration during the 2H 2018. The interest holders in the block are the operator BHP with 65% and BG with the remaining 35%. The partners in the block, expect to produce gas from the well around 2026. The well was spudded on 21 May 2016, with the Miocene as the primary target.Â  Le Clercâs cost was projected to reach USD 100-200 million.      The last held bid round in the country was the 2013 Onshore Bid Round - launched on 16 May 2013, with a closing date on October 31, 2013. This was the first dedicated Onshore Bid Round to occur in Trinidad and Tobago in 15 years. Six companies made 11 bids on the three blocks on offer in the Southern Basin. The Energy Minister mentioned in preliminary comments that 17 data packages were sold to interested parties, which means that 11 companies decided not to bid after analyzing the data. Companies selected would enter into negotiations for Production Sharing Agreements.    Background Information    On 9 January 2015, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEA) signaled its intent to offer acreage in shallow, average and deep water areas within a 2015 competitive Bid Round. To that end, the MEEA has sent a request for block nominations to operators for inclusion in the possible 2015 Bid Round, and they are due back to the MEEA by 27 February 2015. Nominated blocks will be held confidential and they bestow no rights or obligations on the Ministry or the company nominating the blocks. Technical studies and a comprehensive data set over the offshore area are available. Visits to the data room can be arranged by the Ministry, and data can be licensed at any time.     No other time lines associated with a 2015 Round were mentioned however, the MEEA was known to be contemplating having another Bid Round ahead of the next general election which is slated for May 2015 at the earliest.     Local sources reported in early June 2015 that the former Ministry of Energy planned to announce an Offshore Bid Round during 2015. Details have not been release, however the government plans to include ten blocks, which would be in deep water and shallow marine blocks off the north and east coast. In mid-March 2015, it is understood that the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEA) received a disappointing industry response to their call for shallow, deep and medium water depth block nominations for a possible 2015 Bid Round. Few nominations were received, and the earliest date for a Round of this type to occur is now late 2015 /2016. Â     The Trinidad and Tobagoâs Ministry of Energy reported in late May 2016 that has no plans to announce an offshore bid round for 2016. The current low price for a barrel of oil is the main reason. On 8 October 2015, the Minister of Energy Nicole Olivierre addressed the Energy Chamber and stated that an onshore and offshore bid rounds were a priority. More details about a possible schedule were not been released.
As of mid-April 2018, local news reported that the Trinidad and Tobago government plans an offshore bid round during 2019. More details regarding schedule and blocks have not been released, for the round which could include four shallow water and deep-water blocks near the Le Clerc well. 