According to local news in late July 2020 Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) plans the 2020 Deep Water Bid Round in early 2021. In late June 2020, MEEI has extended the nomination period to 11 August 2020 for the round â from 30 June 2020. Nomination acceptance started on 2 March. Although the Ministry planned to have bids submitted by 31 December 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic â bids will likely be deferred to 2021. A virtual data room is planned. More details regarding the schedule has not been released.  During the opening ceremony for the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference and Tradeshow 2020, on 3 February 2020 Prime Minister Dr. the Honorable Keith Rowley reported that the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries proposed Offshore Bid Round for 2020/2021. New seismic will be added to the "available data, on the conclusion of BHP's deep-water exploration programme.". There was a possibility that the announcement would come in 2019 but a schedule was not formalized.   During the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference and Trade Show 2019 in Port of Spain on 5 February 2019, the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Franklin Khan said that âwill be considering the launch of a new Deepwater bid roundâ, and âre-invite nominations on the available open deep-water blocksâ.     A total of 30 deep-water blocks      were offered in the 2017 Open      Nomination Process - A total of 59 blocks were available - which 10      are onshore, 19 on shallow water and 30 on deep-water: 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 blocks available for nomination during the 2017 Open Nomination Process:          Northern   Deepwater Blocks            Eastern   Deepwater Blocks             TTDAA 24            Block   24             TTDAA 25            Block   25 (a)             TTDAA 26            Block   25 (b)             TTDAA 30            Block   26             TTDAA 31            Block   27                TTDAA 1                TTDAA 2                TTDAA 4                TTDAA 8                TTDAA 9                TTDAA 10                TTDAA 11                TTDAA 12             Â             TTDAA   13                TTDAA 15                TTDAA 16                TTDAA 17                TTDAA 18                TTDAA 19                TTDAA 20                TTDAA 21                TTDAA 22                TTDAA 23                TTDAA 27             Â             TTDAA   32             Â©   2019 IHS Markit            Â         Â   Background Information  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.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.    In late December 2017, the Ministry was preparing the competitive bidding order for the next bid round, with invitations during 1Q 2018. The number and geometry of the blocks were being finalized.  The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries received a significant number of nominations from interested parties in the Open Nomination Process for 2017 Competitive Bid Round. The process was first announced in May 2017. A total of 59 blocks were available - which 10 are onshore, 19 on shallow water and 30 on deep-water. The block nominations were accepted from 22 May thru June 30, 2017, a period of six-weeks. It was estimated that invitation for the deep water bid round was expected during 2Q 2017, while land and shallow marine blocks was expected during 3Q 2017. Any questions regarding the process, can be forwarded to BidRound2017@energy.gov.tt   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 sent requests for block nominations to operators for inclusion in the possible 2015 Bid Round. Nominated blocks would be held confidential and they bestowed 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. 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 was slated for May 2015 at the earliest.   The Trinidad and Tobagoâs Ministry of Energy reported in late May 2016 that it had no plans to announce an offshore bid round for 2016. The low price for a barrel of oil was 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.   The acting Energy and Energy Industries Minister Colm Imbert indicated during the 2017 Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference in late January 2017, plans to start a block evaluation for a possible offering - however no details were announced.   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.   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.
According to local news in late July 2020 Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) plans the 2020 Deep Water Bid Round in early 2021.