Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited

Down Memory Lane

The Evolution of
Petrotrin
Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

CONTENTS
LOOKING BACK… 2
THE EVOLUTION OF PETROTRIN 3
MILESTONES: PETROTRIN and
Predecessor Companies 4-5
1904 - 1919 6-7
1920 - 1929 8-9
1930 - 1939 10-11
1940 - 1949 12
1950 - 1959 13-15
1960 - 1969 16-17
1970 - 1979 18-21
1980 - 1989 22-23
1990 - 1992 24
1993 - The Establishment of Petrotrin 25
1994 - 1999 26
THE NEW MILLENNIUM:
2000 - 2009 27-35
2010 - 2013 36-42
PETROTRIN PLANTS
Key Projects 43-48
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

LOOKING BACK… THE EVOLUTION OF PETROTRIN

Crude Capacity at Pointe-a-Pierre
Petrotrin History in Brief Crude Capacity
Year BPD
1956 85,000
1959 135,000
1960 235,000
P etrotrin has a long and rich history, dating back to the first oil
well drilled in our country in the mid-1800s, which firmly places our
1965
1967
300,000
355,000
Company amongst the oldest existing oil and gas companies in the 1985 275,000
world. 1990 175,000
2000 175,000
According to unproven records, the Merrimac Oil Company drilled the
first oil well in the vicinity of the La Brea Pitch Lake in 1857. The well
was completed at 183 feet (61m) deep. If these records are accurate,
this may very well be the first well to start the oil era! In 1866, Walter
Darwent drilled two wells in San Fernando, and followed with another
at the Aripero Estate, where oil was produced. This well was completed
at a depth of 160 ft.

Petrotrin today, is an amalgamation of local and international oil

companies, all of which played important roles in the development of
the local energy sector. These smaller companies included the Trinidad
Petroleum Company, the West Indies Petroleum Company, the Oil
Exploration Syndicate of Canada, General Petroleum Companies,
Trinidad Central Oilfields and others. Most of these companies came
together to form our first major predecessor Company, Trinidad
Leaseholds Limited in 1913. The United British Oilfields of Trinidad
(UBOT) was established in 1913. The Shell Group, another of our
predecessor companies, later absorbed UBOT.

In those early days, the oil industry in Trinidad and Tobago was hardly
as sophisticated as it is today. The following are some simple facts,
tracing our development and that of our energy sector through the years.
2 3
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin
MILESTONES:
PETROTRIN
and Predecessor Companies
1857 First well drilled for oil in Trinidad ---61 meters deep in the vicinity of the
Pitch Lake by the Merrimac Company.
1865 Walter Darwent founded the Paria Oil Co. to drill for oil in South Trinidad.
1866 First successful oil well drilled by Walter Darwent at Aripero.
1901 Randolph Rust and Mr. Lee Lum drilled and tested a well which produced
455 liters of oil in 2 hours.
1903 Guayaguayare No. 3. first well to be drilled with rotary equipment.
1908 Commercial oil production begins in Trinidad near the Pitch Lake, La Brea.
1910 First export cargo of crude oil was shipped by tanker at Brighton, La Brea.
1911 Discovery of the Tabaquite field. The most northerly oilfield found on land,
to date.
1912 Small refinery built at Point Fortin.
1914 Production reached 1 million barrels per year and the oil industry employed
1,200 persons.
1919 Refinery capacity increased to 9,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd). 66% of
crude oil produced was refined locally.
1921 Production began from Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd.’s Cat Cracker Unit at
Pointe-a-Pierre.
1930 Crude oil products increased to 10 millions barrels per year.
1930 First geophysical surveys made in the Brighton area.
1930 First importation of oil from Venezuela for refining locally.
1932 Electrical well logging introduced in Trinidad.
1933 Trinidad Oilfields Ltd. introduces gas injection in the Forest Reserve Upper
Cruse sand.
1937 Widespread labour unrest in the oilfield area.
1940 Refining capacity increased to approximately 28.5 millions barrels per year.
1954 Marine drilling for oil began in the Soldado Field by Trinidad Northern
Areas Limited (TRINMAR). High Seas #1. However Antilles Petroleum Co.
was prospecting for oil offshore as early as 1947 but the functional marine
well was not drilled until 1954
1954 Deepest well drilled on land Apex, Fyzabad Well No. 560 drilled to 16,155
4 feet.
1955 Production from Soldado oilfield at Trinmar initiated.
1955 Discovery of the northern-most gas field in Trinidad at Mahaica, by
1903, Well No. 3 Guayaguayare.
Dominion Oil Limited.
1958 First well started on platform 1.2 miles offshore from Brighton. The platform
was designed to accommodate 36 wells which was a world record for this
type of platform.
1961 Galeota No. 1 first exploratory well drilled offshore the East Coast of
Trinidad. Well produced oil but considered uneconomic.
1967 A new production high of 65 million barrels per year was achieved.
1968 First commercial oil discovery off the East Coast of Trinidad (off Pt. Radix) .
. . well OPR-2.
1969 On July 1, Government in a joint venture with Tesoro Corporation acquired
the local assets of British Petroleum; GOTT’s first venture into national
ownership of an oil company.
1970 First Marine concessions under the new petroleum act were given out (North
Coast Marine Areas).
1974 On August 31, Government acquired the local operations of Shell Trinidad
Limited and formed the Trinidad and Tobago Oil Company Limited
(TRINTOC).
1981 TRINTOC granted an Exploration and production (Public Petroleum Rights)
Licence over Block 9-North of the N.W. Peninsula of Trinidad.
1982 Crude oil production continued to decline, registering a decrease in the
average daily production of 6.5% over the average for 1981.
1982 TRINTOC enters into a processing agreement with TEXACO Trinidad Inc.
for the processing of 1 million bbls of crude oil.
1985 TEXTRIN is integrated with TRINTOC as some of its assets are acquired by
GOTT.
1985 Fire on TRINTOC, Pointe-a-Pierre jetty kills 14 employees.
1985 GOTT acquired Tesoro Corporation’s 49.9% equity in Trinidad-Tesoro
Petroleum Company Limited for 3.23 million barrels of residual fuel to be
paid over a period of 18 months: May
1986 Name of the Company changed to Trinidad and Tobago Petroleum Company
Limited. (TRINTOPEC).
1988 Trintomar Limited incorporated to develop and operate acreage held by the
SECC. Comprises Trintoc 40%, Trintopec 40% and NGC 20%.
1989 Introduction of the lease operatorship and farmout programme by Trintopec
and Trintoc.
1989 Exploration and Production Licence signed for Block 5-11 (Trintopec/
Mobil).
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

1904 - 1919
1904
• The Trinidad and Tobago Government set up the Department of Mines and
Petroleum. This is the predecessor to the Ministry of Energy and Energy
Industries, as we know it today.
1910
• A. Beeby Thompson surveyed possible sites in the southwestern Peninsula
for their oil prospects as well as for land to build a refinery. The clearing of
land at the abandoned sugar estate of Clifton Hill in Point Fortin began late
that year. The Unit, which was set up by Trinidad Oilfields Limited, was a
simple topping plant.
1911
• A small crude petroleum unit was erected at Brighton by the syndicate
1916
• The Refinery at PAP was started as a No. Crude Oil Distillation unit. The plant
initially processed crude at about 1200 bbl per day. With the construction of
the refinery, several features were put in place to ensure a ready supply of oil
to the Company and initiate the refining of all indigenous crude in Trinidad
and Tobago. These facilities included a 6-inch pipeline connecting the Forest
Reserve Field to the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery and an 8-inch submarine line
to facilitate the loading of cargoes of crude and products. The Barrackpore
Field, which was obtained from the Venezuelan Oil Exploration Company
was connected to the refinery by the end of 1916.
1917
• Refining operations begin at Pointe-a-Pierre

backing Randolph Rust in Guayaguayare with another small one at Guapo. 1918
• A small refinery was built at Brighton. Also, an important oil terminal, with • Trinidad production, boosted by TLL’s Forest Reserve, reached a level in
excess of 2 million barrels.
a jetty and additional storage tanks, which were amongst the largest built at
the time. This was the first refinery ever built. • Trinidad Petroleum Company Limited (TPD), a predecessor of the Trinidad
and Tobago Petroleum Company Limited was incorporated.
1904, Well No. 6 Guayaguayare.
1913
• Trinidad Leaseholds Limited (TLL) was formed from an amalgamation of 1919
local oil companies. • Refinery capacity at Pointe-a-Pierre had been raised to 9000 bbl/ day.
• Shell subsidiary United British Oilfields of Trinidad (UBOT) was registered
in July 1913 to acquire assets and producing properties of Trinidad Oilfields
UBOT purchased all of the share capital of other Shell subsidiary, the United
British West Indies Petroleum Syndicate. 1903, Well No. 1 Guayaguayare.
Limited at ‘Guapo’ now called Point Fortin. Though UBOT existed prior to
this date the company’s date of incorporation is given importance here.

1914
• Trinidad Leaseholds Limited brought in the first producer in Forest Reserve.

• Trinidad’s oil production rose to 1,000,000 bopd.

• 30,000 bbls of crude in earthen storage tanks were located in Forest Reserve.

• Permit was obtained by Trinidad Central Oilfields Ltd to establish a refinery

at Tabaquite. At the time, drilling was taking place in the area. The refinery
at Tabaquite was a steel building on a 20x30 ft concrete base containing the
stills, and with storage for 3,000 gal of gasoline and 3000 gal of kerosene.
The Company’s operations were merged with TLL in 1934. By the time the
Tabaquite field was closed in 1939, 1,445,000 bbl of oil had been produced
6 from the Miocene Nariva Sands.
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

1920 - 1929
1922 1929
• The ‘Greenstreet’ cracking plant was installed at PAP on the hill, almost
on the same site on which the Augustus Long Hospital operates today.
• Shell took over the management of UBOT. Shell’s presence in the market
beginning in 1925 was as a buyer of crude for export, the company really
This cracking plant was deemed necessary, as the new process was a more asserted its presence in 1956 when it initiated a buyout of UBOT’s fixed
efficient cracking of oil without which it would have been impossible for a assets including its main refinery at Point Fortin and therefore could have
modern refinery to compete in equal terms in the progressive oil business. managed UBOT at this time before the buyout. The Dubbs Cracking Plant at
The Greenstreet cracking plant failed to be a commercial success and was Pointe-a-Pierre
subsequently shut down and converted into an additional distillation unit
called No. 2 refinery.

1926
• Trinidad was deemed the largest oil producer in the British Empire. Oil
provided more than 50% of the country’s revenues.

• Trinidad Oilfields Operating Company Limited (TOFO) was formed,

operating on 27,000 acres (10,935 ha) of lands in the La Brea, Fyzabad, Palo
Seco/ Erin and Cedros areas.

1927
• The Dubbs Cracking Process, offered by the Universal Oil Products
Company, was licensed and Nos. 1 and 2 Dubbs were built by TLL in 1927.

• TOFO established a refinery at San Francique to process crude from San

Francique and Fyzabad. It was to be a simple still, 4 ft- 10 in (1.5m) long and
2 ft 10-in (0.86m) in diameter, and would produce gasoline from the crude
in the proportion of 1 bbl gasoline per 5 bbl of crude refined.

1928
• Standard Oil of New Jersey (SONJ) purchases TOFO, including the small
refinery near La Brea. This purchase was made through SONJ subsidiary-
The West India Oil Company Ltd.

• TPD discovered the Palo Seco Field.

1928-1929
• The old refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre is upgraded with the construction of
the Nos. 3 and 4 Topping Plants. Three modern distillation Units were also
constructed. This led to a new refinery on the other side of the Southern
Main Road away from the sea. An old coconut estate, which ran alongside
the Bon Aventure Road leading from the Southern Main Road towards the
8 village of Gasparillo, was cleared to make way for the new refinery. 9
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

1930 - 1939
1930-32 1936
• Nos. 3 &4 Dubbs were constructed at Pointe-a-Pierre. • United British Oilfields Ltd (UBOT) and Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd (TLL)
formed Trinidad Northern Areas to look for oil in new areas outside the
1931-32 Southern Basin.
• The La Brea refinery was extended by the addition of a 25,000 bbl crude oil
tank and a 22,000 bbl tank for motor spirit. • An Iso-Octane Plant was installed at Pointe-a-Pierre to increase cracking
capacity at the refinery.
1932
• A hospital was built at Pointe-a-Pierre, predecessor to the Augustus Long • TPD discovered the Coora Field and the Coora Well No. 1 was drilled to a
depth of 1803 metres.
Hospital today.
1937
1934
• The La Brea refinery was further extended when a crude still is added. • Labour unrest and an industry wide strike by oilfield workers led by Tubal
Uriah Butler shook the oil industry. This led to the formation of the Oilfields
Workers Trade Union (OWTU) as we know it today. The No. 5 Dubbs
The Bernstein field in Forest Reserve. cracking plant was also constructed in the late 1930s.

• The role of Butler and Rienzi in the 1937 disturbances in oil and sugar and the
manner in which those uprisings gave birth to the trade union movement.

1939
• The D’Arcy Exploration Company (renamed British Petroleum in 1954)
joined UBOT and TLL as an equal partner in TNA.

The inside front cover of a souvenir

handout shows an early view of the
10 Bernstein field in Forest Reserve. 11
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

1940 - 1949 1950 - 1959

1940
• Project 1234 began at Pointe-a-Pierre and was completed in 14 months. The
completion of this project, resulted essentially in a new refinery at Pointe-a-
Pierre. Project 1234 involved a two-stage reforming unit to produce butane-
butylene, a sulphuric acid alkylation unit for reacting with iso-butane to
make alkylate, an isomerisation unit to convert normal butane into iso-
butane, a crude oil topping unit and a gasoline re-run unit to produce spirit
for blending with alkylate.
• Two crude cracking units were added to the Point Fortin refinery.
1941
• Erin and Palo Seco licences were transferred to TPD, while UBOT acquired
San Francique.
1942
• The first commercial fluid catalytic cracking unit (Cat Cracker) was
commissioned at Pointe-a-Pierre by Standard Oil in Baton Rouge on May
25, 1942.
Workmen’s transport to and from refinery.
1952
• The Cat Cracker Unit came on stream on August 11th. The Cat Cracker
was deemed necessary, as the new process was a more efficient cracking
of oil without which it would have been impossible for a modern refinery
to compete in equal terms in the progressive oil business. By 1956, the Cat
Cracker was processing 26,000bpd of feed.
• The first offshore seismic survey was carried out in Trinidad waters by
Trinidad Northern Areas.
• The first ‘marine’ oil was found offshore at Brighton by the Antilles Petroleum
Company. A minor accumulation of oil was found off Pt. Ligoure using a
submarine drilling barge that was capable of operating in 15-20 ft of water.
1956
• US Company Texaco Inc. takes over from TLL. The Pointe-a-Pierre refinery
at this time was the largest oil refinery in the Commonwealth with a
throughput of about 80,000 bpd! The Texaco Chairman at the time of
takeover was Mr. Augustus C. Long. Mr. Augustus Long joined the Texaco
Company in 1930. He became a Vice President in 1953, and Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer in 1956. Our Augustus Long Hospital today, is
named after him.

1956-1960 The Topping Plant at Pointe-a-Pierre

• Texaco began major refinery expansion. The No. 3 Dubbs cracking plant was
converted into No. 6 Topping Plant. This was completed and on stream by 1958
at about 40,000 bpd, thereby lifting the total refinery capacity to 120,000 bpd.

• The remaining part of the thermal reformer of the old wartime Project
1234 was converted into another topping plant- No. 7 Topping Unit. When
the plant came on stream in 1959, the total refining capacity was revised
upwards to 135,000 bpd.

• Texaco Trinidad Incorporated, commonly referred to as Textrin was established.

1957
• Textrin took over as operator for the offshore drilling at Point Fortin,
previously handled by TNA.

• Texaco purchased Antilles Petroleum Company and merged it into its

Texaco Trinidad operations.
12 • BP acquired controlling interest in TPD. 13
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

1950 - 1959 continued

1958 - 1959 Employees both local and expatriate gather at Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery for the Commissioning of the Rexformer Unit in 1958.
• In the late 1950’s a vigorous and rapid expansion programme began
with the construction of the Rexformer Complex or No. 1 CRU (Unifiner,
Platformer and Udex Units). These three units were commissioned in
1958 and produced high-octane gasoline from low-grade naphtha. Almost
concurrently, two units - No. 3 Dubbs and the Thermal reformer - were
modified and commissioned in 1958 and 1959 respectively. By the end of
1959, crude capacity was 135,000 bpd.

For close to a century predecessor oil companies have supported sport in Trinidad and
Tobago. These sporting events include the well known Palo Seco Games, which have been
convened over the years at the Palo Seco Velodrome. It also includes the Southern Games,
which have been held for many years at Guaracara Park.
In the photo below TLL General Manager, John Bill Christian gives an award to Cyclist
Hilton “Barracuda” Mitchell at the Trinidad Leaseholds Limited Games in 1958.

14 15
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

1960 - 1969
1960 1966
• The Administration Building was completed at Pointe-a-Pierre. Known
then as the most prestigious office block yet built in Trinidad, the ‘Admin-
• Steam injection was introduced to Trinidad. BP (Trinidad) Limited introduced
a pilot scheme whereby steam was injected to lighten the crude and pump it
Building’ as it is fondly called today, was a T-shaped, two-storey block, up more easily.
which housed offices for all the central functions of the Company.
1967
• Apex (Trinidad) Oilfields Limited was bought by BP.
• Though TPD ceased to exist as an entity in 1961 the refinery was not
absorbed by BP (Trinidad) Limited until 1967.
1961
• Kern Trinidad Oilfields Limited was purchased by BP. 1969
1962 • BP withdrew its management and technical staff from the island.
Government bought over BP’s one third holdings in the Trinmar Soldado
• Modifications were made to the Gas Concentration unit (GCX) to handle
more products from the Cracking section. An additional compressor had
Operations, APEX, TPD and Kern. Government later formed a joint venture,
the Trinidad Tesoro Petroleum Company, with an independent Texas Oil
been added to the original five to increase gas recovery.
Company, Tesoro Petroleum with the Government as the major shareholder
1961-1966 with 50.1%. The Trinidad Tesoro Petroleum Company Ltd commenced
• During this period, 17 acres (7 ha) of land was reclaimed from the sea at operations on July 01.
Pointe-a-Pierre. Reclamation of land at Pointe-a-Pierre actually began as
early as 1957. New shipping offices together with new buildings housing
• National Petroleum acquired the refinery at La Brea.

the Oil Stocks Department and others were constructed in this area. • Trinmar Ltd head offices were moved to Point Fortin.

Aerial view of Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery published in the Texaco Star in 1964.

Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams
lowering the BP flag at Trinidad-
Tesoro’s inauguration in 1969. He is
assisted by then Chief Fire and Security
Officer C.E. Rogers.

Left: Texaco’s family day games held at

16 Pointe-a-Pierre. 17
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin
1970 - 1979
1970
• Trintes “A”, the first Trinidad Tesoro drilling platform offshore Point
Galeota was established. The slant rig was introduced to Trinidad by
Trinidad-Tesoro for the purpose of drilling from this marine platform, and
was capable of drilling vertically or from five degrees up to thirty degrees
to the vertical.
1971
• Drilling of 17 wells offshore from Platform Trintes “A” was completed.
1972
• Crude oil began to flow from Trintes “A”.
1974
• Shell opened negotiations with Government for a takeover and in the
end agreed to sell out for £21 million. With the takeover concluded, the
Government acquired the 85,000-bbl/day refinery at Point Fortin, the
producing oil fields on land (with an annual production of approximately
Pointe-a-Pierre refinery photo taken from the old La Carriere side looking East Trinidad
18
2.5 million barrels), the Company’s one third interest in Trinmar Operations
and productions, and the local marketing facilities of Shell. Trintoc, the
Trinidad and Tobago Oil Company was formed to run these operations.
Texaco kept its one-third share at Trinmar. Trintoc commenced operations
on August 31, 1974 as Trinidad and Tobago celebrated its 12th Anniversary
as an independent nation. Almost all the residents of Point Fortin turned
out at the Administration Building, Point Fortin to witness the transfer into
national hands of the 61 year old Shell Trinidad Holdings.
• The feed diet of the Cat Craker started changing from pure hydro-treated
feed with the introduction of combined vacuum gas oil from #4 Vacuum
Distillation Unit.
A sample of the first crude to be produced
• (Excerpts from the Trintoc Supplement, Sunday Guardian- September 30, from our marine acreage, off galeota, is
1979):
Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams as he raises the Trinidad and Tobago
presented to Prime Minister, the late
Rt. Hon. Dr. Eric Williams, during
flag over Trintoc at Point Fortin: “The problem here is that most people think Trinidad-Tesoro’s games at Industry
we have simply bought a refinery and that is the end. The refinery is rather the Park, Palo Seco in 1972.
Trintoc Steel Band Shell Steel band on the road.
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin
1970 - 1979 continued
beginning. What we have bought is the source of the feedstock for further industrial
development, utilizing locally what the former owners exported to other refineries…
“This refinery is the nucleus of a vast petrochemical complex.”
“… As we proceed to lower the flag of yesterday (the honor falls to the worker with
the longest service in Shell, 42 years exactly today) and hoist the flag of today and
tomorrow and tomorrow, the flag of the Nation as against the flag of an external
corporation. As we see the flag, our flag flying high and riding proud in the breeze,
symbolizing the ascent of the Nation and the higher destiny of the citizens of Point
Fortin, let us say, with pride but yet with humility we are going well, and may God
bless our Nation.”
• Up until 1977, Texaco marketed products like NP.
1977
• Government acquired Texaco’s 76 local service stations..
Trinidad-Tesoro spudded its 1000th well in the Palo Seco Field. Managing Director,
Mr, J. P. Schmalz lowers the cutting bit into the hole at the spudding ceremony.
Published in the news January 5th, 1978,
20
• Trinidad Tesoro began work on the Palo Seco Velodrome at Industry Park,
Palo Seco. The 500-meter velodrome was designed to accommodate other
games like football and hockey in the center field, in addition to field and
track athletics.
1978
• The La Brea refinery was closed down as uneconomic.
• Trinidad Tesoro completed the fabrication of two platforms- Trin- Tes “B” and
Trin-Tes “C” locally. This was commended by the then Minister of Petroleum
and Mines Mr. Errol Mahabir, who stated that the decision to have the giant-
size platforms built in Trinidad by Trinidadian craftsmen was a major step
in the growth and development of the local construction industry to serve
the physical needs of the offshore operations of the petroleum industry.
1979
• Mr. Kenneth M. Birchwood was the first Trinidadian to be named General
Manager of Trinmar. Trinmar at the time was still the operating company
Mr. Kenneth M. Birchwood, the first
local General Manager of Trinmar.
in behalf of a consortium comprising Trintoc, Texaco and Trinidad-Tesoro,
which jointly held licences for exploration and development of oil and
natural gas in the offshore Soldado Fields located in the Gulf of Paria. Texaco’s Secondary School at Pointe-a-
• Mr. George Leonard Lewis was the first national to be appointed as General
Manager of Trinidad-Tesoro.
Pierre, later became Petrotrin Learning
Centre (PLC) with the advent of
Petrotrin in 1993.
21
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

1980 - 1989
1980 • On November 15, 1985 the Government purchased the 49.9% shareholding
• The J.P. Schmaltz Velodrome, predecessor to the Petrotrin Palo Seco
Velodrome, was opened at Palo Seco with the revival of the annual Track
held by Tesoro Petroleum Corporation in Trinidad-Tesoro Petroleum
Company Limited. The Company was renamed Trinidad and Tobago
and Field Games. Petroleum Company Limited- Trintopec.

1982 1986
• Tesoro Petroleum offered for sale its shares in Trinidad Tesoro to the • Trintoc purchased the Lake Asphalt Company in January 1986. Lake Asphalt
of Trinidad and Tobago (1978) Ltd (LATT) has since been a fully owned
Government.
subsidiary.
1983
• Trinidad Tesoro donates Top Junior Achievement (JA) Company Award to
Dunlop Trinidad Limited who was dubbed company of the year.
1988
• Trintomar Ltd. was incorporated to operate the former South East Coast
Consortium acreage to exploit and develop the block, in which significant Former Prime Minister the late Hon.
1985 gas and condensate production had already been proven. Trintomar Ltd. George Chambers (third from right) is
• The Government acquired, among other assets, and by purchase from
Textrin, the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, the onshore leases and producing fields,
comprised the Trintoc, Trintopec and National Gas (NGC) companies, the
two former each having a 40% interest and NGC, a 20% interest.
pictured during a tour of our Machine
Shop, Santa Flora on his first official
the Textrin interest in South East Coast Consortium (SECC), and certain
1989 visit to County St. Patrick in July 1981,
other leases in the Gulf of Paria but not the one-third interest in Trinmar.
These Textrin assets were vested in Trintoc. • Trintoc and Trintopec introduced the lease operatorship and farmout
programme.
following his appointment of as Prime
Minister.
Birth of No. 8 CDU. • The FCCU was revamped to enhance cracking capability including the
replacement of the reactor.

Left: Energy and Natural Resources

Minister Patrick Manning (right) visits
Trinidad-Tesoro’s East Galeota 5 well –
the first being drilled in the Company’s
1985 offshore drilling programme.
(Centre with tie) is Trinidad-Tesoro’s
22 General Manager G. Leonard Lewis. 23
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

1990 - 1992 1993

1991
• Trintoc began an extensive modernization program to upgrade the Pointe-a- The Establishment of Petrotrin
A
Pierre refinery.
fter an unprecedented period of transformation which has seen the oil
company move from a state-enterprise slated for divestment to one which just
recently paid its first-ever dividend to it’s shareholders, Petrotrin has moved to
consolidate its profit-making position by acquiring Texaco’s minority stake in the
oil producing company TRINMAR. Jointly owned by Petrotrin (two-thirds) and
Texaco (one-thirds), TRINMAR is a profitable company operating off Trinidad’s
West Coast, which had been identified as a strategic addition to Petrotrin’s
portfolio.

Strategically aligned to Petrotrin’s Business Plan which calls for Petrotrin to

consolidate its operation. Because of its location and operation efficiencies,
Petrotrin’s Logo
acquiring Trinmar is an ideal consolidation move particularly at this stage of our The circle symbolizes the core of our
transformation exercise. Acquiring TRINMAR meant access to more crude oil at natural resource- the earth, the global
low operating costs and with the additional advantage of no transportation costs nature of our markets and as a means
or logistics on the case with the crude currently sourced from overseas. of suggesting the feeling all around us,
of natural energy.
At the point in time of purchasing TRINMAR, Petrotrin already attained two-
thirds of TRINMAR’s liability. The simple lines of the “P” are symbolic
of the uncompromising professional
standards, ethics and integrity which
will characterize the conduct of
PETROTRIN’s operations.
The “drop of oil” and the surrounding
semi-circle of the “P” for PETROTRIN-
communicate the company’s ability to
harness our energy.
The “P” also reminds us all of
Petrotrin’s watchwords- People,
Performance, Profit.
Introduced in 1993 March 31
Wednesday, at a flag raising ceremony
on the forecourt of Administration
24 Building, Pointe-a-Pierre. 25
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

1994 - 1999 2000 - 2009

1994
• Employees of the Fludized Catalytic Cracker (the Catcracker) and Gas The New Millennium
Concentration Units along with West Area Maintenance attained a record
700 days no lost time accident 2000
1996
• One month shy of the end of fiscal 2000, Petrotrin’s Medical Services
Department surpassed its budgeted revenues from external clients, when
• he Cat Cracker was partially upgraded to increase throughput capacity
T
and enhance its product slate; the targeted throughput was 30,000 bpd of
earnings crossed the million-dollar mark in August.

gas oil at 985 degrees Fahrenheit at a projected conversion of 85%. (The
upgrade included the installation of a new reactor, replacement of the
Regenerator perforated bed plate by a pipe grid, installation of a flue gas
Steam generator for efficient heat recovery, replacement of the reactor vapor
line and upgrading of the Absorber and Stripper columns).
1997
• Refinery Phase I Upgrade completed at a cost of US$360 million.
• The new FCCU Flare system was commissioned replacing the blow-down
stack for venting FCCU gas to the atmosphere as the blow-down stack was
prone to catch fire when struck by lightning during rainstorms.
1998
• Refining and Marketing Division achieved a profit in the fiscal year 1997-
1998 for the first time since 1990.
• The Pioneering Lease Operationship/ farm-out (LO/ FO) programme
earned over TT$250 M for Petrotrin and the government (in royalty) by
adding an extra 9 million barrels of oil to local production that would
otherwise not be available.
• Petrotrin’ s Western District achieved an unprecedented 86% success rate
with Company Rig 2. The Rig completed 14 work-overs during the month
of July, 12 of which achieved a total of 134 additional barrels a day of crude
oil.
• In December the FCCU processed its highest post-1996 feed rate of 29,800
bpd at 63% conversion.
The upgrades of the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, which started in the 2000s and
included the GOP, ULSD, Super Claus and GTL initiatives were to ensure that
Petrotrin:

1999
• Have the enhanced processing capability not only to add more value to
crude streams but to also reduce the company’s acquisition cost via its
• In August 1999 Petrotrin (35%) and Cometra Ltd. (65%) signed a joint
venture agreement to explore new acreage in the Central Block.
ability to process lower priced crude streams.

• Produce refined products that would meet the current and future
• On April 21, 1999 history was created when Petrotrin was able to purchase
a shipment of local crude from BP Amoco for the first time since the crude
specifications for gasoline and diesel in the company’s targeted export
markets.
was put on the open market in October 1998. A 90,000 ton Korean tanker, the
MV Ania brought a cargo of 560,000 barrels of the crude and anchored in the • Operate at higher efficiencies and margins ensuring long-term profitability
for the company’s operations.
PAP harbour after a 16 hour journey from Galeota.

• A Bitumen manufacturing facility was added to the PAP refinery. The
facilities comprise a blending plant and a loading bay. It is deigned to
produce 2 grades of bitumen, 60/70 pen and 180/200 pen with plant
capacity of 180,000 bbls/ year. It utilizes an unblown blending process with
vacuum gas oil (HVGO) from no. 4 VDU as feedstock.
26
• Be more compliant with the safety and occupational health standards
imposed by OSHA and the liquid and gaseous effluent standards established
by the EMA.
2001
• Vintage an international oil and Gas Company from Tulsa Okalahoma
acquired Cometra’s interest in the agreement in September. 27
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin
2000 - 2009 continued
• Petrotrin and Joint Venture foreign partner Vintage Petroleum discovered
high quality natural gas and condensate reservoirs in Carapal Ridge no. 1
onshore in the Central Block acreage, just east of Princes Town. (October)
This was the first major discovery of hydrocarbons in commercial quantities
on land in 40 years and it was highlight in the history of onshore exploration.
• On September 10th, 2 controllers from the Recope Oil Refinery in Costa Rica
began a 12-day internship at Petrotrin’s Pointe-a-Pierre refinery. Their aim
was to learn as much as they could about operational procedures, process
safety and the Distributed Control System (DCS) of instrumentation at
Petrotrin.
• PSAEL’s Milk Pasteurization Plant, the home of STAR Farm Pasteurized,
began commercial production in November 2001. It is a 500- litres batch
pasteurized unit and has the capacity to process 3,000 litres of milk per day.
2002
• Mr. Malcolm Jones succeeds Mr. William Francis as Chairman of Petrotrin.
• Renowned Southern artist Mr. Willi Chen mounted his Independence
masterpiece “The Escriva: tower on the PAP roundabout in commemoration
of T&T 40TH Anniversary of Independence.
• A new Neutralization Facility for acid releases from the Cynamid Acid
Recovery Plant and a new Caustic Merox Unit were constructed.
• Joint Venture partnership in Eastern Block established.
• The Brighton Marine Joint venture converted into a farm-out.
• Petrotrin became a major gas player with the commencement of production
from the NCMA Joint Venture with British Gas and other shareholders
in August and from the Central Block Joint Venture with Vermillion in
December.
• TRINMAR Operations attained ISO 14001 Certification on Sept 13th
2003
• Petrotrin launches Gasoline Optimisation Programme, with preparations for
the construction of a new Isomerisation Complex. The Gasoline Optimisation
Programme (GOP) is one of several new initiatives to develop the refinery to
meet clean fuels specifications and market needs. The Programme involves
28 the construction of a new Alkylation/ Acid Unit, Prefractionation Unit/
Isomerisation Unit, and Continuous Catalytic Regeneration Platforming
Unit as well as the upgrade of the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit and further
offsites and utilities works to meet the additional needs of the refinery.
• Trinmar Operations drills the first multilateral well ever to be drilled
in Trinidad and Tobago. The well was drilled in the 759 block Trinmar’s
operations in 60 feet of water.
2004
• Petrotrin launches the pilot Upper Morne L’Enfer steam flood project at
Forest Reserve. This as part of an effort to revive operations in the Forest
Reserve Field through steam injection.
• Petrotrin launches the pilot Upper Morne L’Enfer steam flood project at
Forest Reserve. This as part of an effort to revive operations in the Forest
Reserve Field through steam injection.
• A larger blower and centrifugal; compressor to permit operation at the
optimum 30,000 barrels per day and 980 F reactor temperature was installed.
Former Executive Chairman Malcolm
• Petrotrin launches its five-year strategic plan for the period 2005-2009 with A. Jones receives the Chaconia Medal
the vision to transform the company into a higher margin business with Gold from the former President George
improved performance in all areas. Maxwell Richards.
• Petrotrin launches to Journey Towards Excellence Programme for its
refining and marketing group with Shell Global Solutions. Journey
towards Excellence is a five year programme based on four key drivers of
performance- Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE), Organisational
Development, Margin and Operations and Asset Management.
• Petrotrin renewed its compliance with the International Ship and Port
Facility Security (ISPS) Code at its Pointe-a-Pierre and Point Fortin ports.
The ISPS Code is an amendment to the Safety of Lives at Sea Convention,
1974. The main objectives of the ISPS Code are: To detect security threats
and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or
port facility used in international trade; to establish roles and responsibilities
concerning maritime security for government, local administrations, ship
and port industries at the national and international level; the collation and
promulgation of security related information and to provide methodology
for security assessments so as to have in place plans and preocedures to
react to changing security levels. Petrotrin’s compliance with the ISPS code,
which took effect on July 1, 2004, was granted for a period of five years. 29
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin
2000 - 2009 continued
• The Government of Trinidad and Tobago delegated the National Gas
Company to facilitate the development of an industrial estate on an 800-acre-
plus site on Petrotrin’s Vessigny Field over the next five years. The Union
Industrial Estate will be the site of several heavy and light gas-based
industries and will be a key component in the country’s development.
• Petrotrin’s Executive Chairman Malcolm A. Jones was honoured at the
national awards with the Chaconia Medal (Gold) for long and meritorious
service in the sphere of National Economic Development. He also received
a Career of Excellence in Engineering accolade by the Executive Council of
the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT)
for his contribution to the engineering profession.
2005
• Petrotrin refurbished its Corporate Headquarters located at the Queen’s
Park Savannah, Port of Spain.
• Petrotrin signed Japanese bankers Mizuho Corporate Bank as financial
advisor in its quest to acquire financing for the Gasoline Optimisation
Project.
• Petrotrin’s first Chief Executive Officer Mr. Keith Awong from the period
1993 to 1997 received the Chaconia Medal Gold for his long and meritorious
contribution to the energy sector in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Trinidad Bulk Traders Limited opened a new state-of-the-art fuel ethanol
dehydration facility at the site of Petrotirn’s old Point Fortin refinery. The
US$11 million plant, owned by the Angostura group, is the first of its kind
in this country.
• Petrotrin signed a production sharing contract with PetroCanada for Blocks
1A and 1B located in the northern half of the Gulf of Paria, directly adjacent
to Petrotrin Trinmar North Marine block. Block 1A contains the Iguana gas
field which was a previous natural gas discovery.
• Petrotrin & Primera signed a royalty agreement for areas A and B at East
Brighton
• Petrotrin acquired a 15% share in the Teak, Samaan, Poui and Onyx fields
previously operated by bpTT, as it launches aggressively into bold new
initiatives designed to secure more equity crude for its refinery at Pointe-a-
Pierre. The National Gas Company (NGC) also holds a 15% share in these
30 fields, while Repsol holds a 70% share.
2006
• World GTL Trinidad Ltd, a joint venture company was formed in Trinidad
between Petrotrin and World GTL Inc of New York, to build the first
commercial gas-to-liquids plant in the Western Hemisphere. Construction of
this plant at the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, fits in with the Company’s strategic
direction to improve profitability and its environmental impact since the
gas-to-liquids product is an extremely clean diesel of high quality with a
greater than 70 cetane number and with no sulphur or aromatics.
• Petrotrin acquired a 15% working interest in Block 3a. BHP Billiton is the
operator of this block.
• Development of the pilot project Occupational Health and Safety
Management System pending the certification of OHSAS 18001:1999 began.
The project for the North Western district of Petrotrin’s Exploration and
Production operations, focused on bringing non-compliant Occupational
Health and Safety Issues to management’s attention for mitigation in
accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Petrotrin’s first Cheif Executive Officer
2007 Mr. Keith Awong received the Chaconia
• In preparation for an industrial estate, proposed for within the confines of
the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, Petrotrin demolished its old Normal Paraffins
Medal Gold in 2005 for his long and
meritorious contribution to the energy
Unit, which was located in one of the areas earmarked for development. sector in Trinidad & Tobago.
• Petrotrin and Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited signed a 15-year
agreement whereby PPGPL would provide a supply of up to 3,500bpd of
isobutane for use as an octane enhancer in the manufacture of motor gasoline.
As a result of this agreement PPGPL will construct a butane splitting plant
that will separate its current mixed butane product into normal butane and
isobutane components. Isobutane will be supplied via pipeline to Petrotrin
to be used as feedstock to the new alkylation unit now under development.
For the Company, this is an important component of its ongoing Gasoline
Optimization Program.
• Petrotrin executed a Joint Venture Agreement with PetroCanada for a 10%
participation in Block 22. The Block is located just north of Tobago. It is on
trend with the NCMA Block and has gas potential that ranges from 3 to 5
TCF.
• Petrotrin issued its inaugural bond in the international capital markets. The
US$750 million 15-year amortizing bond (which was settled on 2007 May 31
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin
2000 - 2009 continued
8) had a three-year moratorium on principal repayment. It was the largest
investment grade bond deal ever issued in the Caribbean, and the second
largest Caribbean bond issue ever. The use of proceeds will be to finance
a large portion of the US$800 million estimated capital expenditure on the
refinery for the Gasoline Optimization Programme (GOP).
• Petrotrin entered into a number of arrangements with joint venture partners.
These include the Oropouche Farmout with API Pipeline, the Mayaro -
Guayaguayare Bay Joint Venture with Canadian Superior and Block 22
with PetroCanada. The Oropouche Farmout with API Pipeline was set to
run for five years and became effective during the month of May 2007.
As part of this arrangement, API Pipeline was required to conduct seismic
surveys, drilling and working over existing wells. This Farmout Block
is within Petrotrin’s Guapo-Oropouche-Brighton Licence and is located
in the vicinity of the Godineau River at Mosquito Creek. The Mayaro -
Guayaguayare Bay Joint Venture between Petrotrin and the Calgary-based
oil company Canadian Superior has a partnership arrangement that is 70%
Canadian Superior and 30% Petrotrin.
• Petrotrin constructed a new Road Tank Wagon Staging Area at the Bond, a
local sales outlet for Petroleum products from the Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery.
Then VP Finance & Corporate Planning, Kevin Singh (right) and Manager
Procurement, Keith London launches E. Procurement
32
Petrotrin’s main local customers the National Petroleum Marketing
Company and UNIPET use Road Tank wagons to transport and distribute
finished petroleum products.
• The Government of Trinidad and Tobago mandated that Petrotrin, as a state-
owned organization, introduce e-procurement as the preferred approach to
sourcing goods and services, facilitating development in the local industries.
As directed, Petrotrin launched its first e-auction on December 11. This pilot
project featured online bidding on tubular goods from local and foreign
suppliers, resulting in an estimated 20% savings on historic prices.
• I nfrared Thermographic imaging technology is embraced. This Non-
Destructive Tool (NDT) allows for the early detection and prevention of
negative temperature trends that can lead to safety hazard potentials.
Typical applications are for monitoring of refractory lined equipment such
as columns, fire heaters, boiler casings stacks and internally lined duct lining Port and Marine Operations, “Carib
among other benefits. Valley” one of four newly commissioned
• The Cat Cracker was capable of processing 28,000 bpd. vessels putting on a fire extinguishing
• September 2007, R&M launches its new webpage. The webpage was to
display.
be utilized as an information hub, giving employees access to various
documents, and a communications tool keeping employees up to date with
various R&M publications and Communications Forums. Additionally
it was expected to be utilized as a work tool, assisting the worker in the
performance of his duties.
• The Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery Surpasses Environmental Compliance Targets
for the fiscal year 2006/2007.
2008
• Petrotrin marked the centennial anniversary of commercial oil production
in Trinidad and Tobago. This country became one of the first in the world
to discover oil in 1866 when Sir Walter Darwent, an American Civil
Engineer, drilled for oil successfully at the Aripero Estate. However, serious
prospecting did not begin until 1907 and commercial production did not
begin until 1908.
• The Government of Trinidad and Tobago approved the sale of 80% of the
production assets of Trinidad and Tobago Marine Petroleum Company
(Trintomar), including the Pelican Field and associated facilities, to an
independent US gas company called EOG Resources (EOGR) for reportedly 33
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

2000 - 2009 continued

$20million. Petrotrin and the National Gas Company (NGC) have The work programme of this Joint Venture will include the drilling of at
retained the remaining 20% of the assets. This divestment constitutes least seven (7) exploration wells to depths ranging from 6,500 to 12,000
the end of the Operating Agreement between Trintomar and Petrotrin feet.
(which was entered into in 1992).
• Mr Kenneth Allum was appointed President of Petrotrin, succeeding
• On August 22, Petrotrin commissioned four marine vessels for the
enhancement of Port and Marine Operations as well as Port Security:
former Executive Chairman Mr Malcolm Jones. Mr Malcolm Jones
continued as Chairman of the Petrotrin Board of Directors.
the Carib Valley, the Wahoo, the Stingray and the Reef Shark.
• Petrotrin and Voyager Energy Limited signed a Production Sharing
• On September 18, Petrotrin signed Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs)
with two Canadian Companies, Petro Andina and Voyager Energy,
Contract (PSC) for the exploration of the Guayaguayare Blocks off of
Trinidad’s south coast. These Blocks, located in the South Eastern part
constituting a Joint Venture that would execute a four-year work of Trinidad, consist of a Shallow Horizon Block covering 181, 262 acres
programme within the Central Range Blocks. and a Deep Horizon Block covering 211, 475 acres.

• Petrotrin celebrated its fifteenth (15th) Anniversary, commemorating

its incorporation in January 1993 as a wholly state-owned integrated Former Executive Chairman, Malcolm Jones, left, and former Energy Minister,
oil company mandated to operate the petroleum producing, refining, Conrad Enill, centre, signing the Production Sharing Contract. At right is CEO of
marketing and other selected assets of Trinidad and Tobago Oil OMEL Vishwanath Ravindranath.
Company Limited (TRINTOC) and the Trinidad and Tobago Petroleum Mr. Kenneth Allum was appointed
Company Limited (TRINTOPEC). President of Petrotrin, succeeding for-
• Petrotrin is recognized in the 2008 International Business Awards also
known as the Stevie Awards. The company was a finalist in the Best
mer Executive Chairman Mr. Malcolm
Jones.
Corporate Social Responsibility Program in South America category.

• Petrotrin secured US$850 Million from the international capital market

to complete the Clean Fuels Programme at the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery.

2009
• Petrotrin signed a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with the Oil
and Natural Gas Company of India (ONCG) subsidiary, Mittal Energy
Limted (OMEL), for the North Coast Marine Area, Block 2 (NCMA 2).
As per the terms of the PSC Petrotrin would be a 35% partner with
OMEL in NCMA 2. The NCMA 2 is located in the north coast of Trinidad
and comprises a total area of approximately ninety-eight thousand, six
hundred and sixty-nine (98, 669) hectares.

• Petrotrin and Bayfield Energy (Galeota) Limited signed a US $100

million exploration and production licence for the exploration of the
Galeota Block and the revitalisation of the Trintes Oilfields. Petrotrin
will be a 35% partner with Bayfield in respect of the Galeota Block,
34 which lies offshore and covers an area of approximately 30,000 acres. 35
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

2000 - 2009 continued

• Petrotrin and Centrica Energy signed a Production Sharing Contract
(PSC) for Block 2 (ab) located off the East Coast of Trinidad. Under the
• The Continuous Catalytic Reforming Unit was commissioned and put
into commercial production in July 2010
agreement, Centrica Energy would invest US $48 million over three years,
with activities including seismic surveys and the drilling of at least four • The first phase of the Refinery Operators Competency Development
Program coordinated during the August/ September period began.
(4) exploration wells with depths between 2,500 to 3,500 metres. Utilizing both external and internal resources, the objectives of the
• Petrotrin opened the Petroleum and Asphalt Museum at Pointe-a-Pierre
culminating a 10 year endeavour by the Petroleum Historical Society
program were to provide Refinery Operators with the technical skills
and tools to improve proficiency, enable realization of the refinery’s Petrotrin opened the Petroleum and
performance targets, identify/ close Competency gaps within refinery Asphalt Museum at Pointe-a-Pierre
(PHS). During this period, the PHS sought to refurbish the government
operations and improve overall HSE performance. culminating a 10 year endeavour by the
railway station located at Pointe-a-Pierre, which is a national landmark,
and convert it to a historical site. Petroleum Historical Society (PHS).

• Petrotrin secured US$850 million from the international capital market

to complete the Gasoline Optimisation Programme and to construct
the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel plant at Pointe-a-Pierre. This financing
constitutes a US$850 million bond that will mature on August 14, 2019.

• Petrotrin signed sub-licensing agreements with five (5) contractors for

oil exploration in seven (7) fields in the onshore eastern blocks. The
blocks were: Beach-Marchelle Block (awarded to Los Bajos Oil Limited);
Goudron Block (awarded to Cameron Oil & Gas Limited); Inniss-
Trinity Block (awarded to Fram Exploration AS); Catshill and Moruga
East Blocks (awarded to A&V Drilling and Workover Limited); and
Navette and Balata East Blocks (awarded to A.P.I. Pipeline Construction
Company Limited). Under the terms of the contract, each operator
would be required to conduct technical studies, reactivate idle wells and
drill new ones.

• The C5/C6 Isomerization Unit was

commercial production in May 2009
commissioned and put into

• Petrotrin significantly enhanced its emergency/ fire response capability

by investing in an Austrian assembled, Rosenbauer Actros Mercedes
Benz Industrial Fire Truck to the fleet of fire fighting vehicles at Pointe-
a-Pierre. The vehicle was commissioned April, 2009 with fire officers
prepared and able to operate the new technology. The vehicle was
specially designed for effective firefighting in high risk areas.

• The Petrotrin internal communications team is recognized for innovation

in the 2009 6th Annual International Business Awards for Desktop
36 Update. 37
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin
2010 - 2013
2010
• Petrotrin’s Supervisory Development Programme 2010-2013 was launched.
• The Catalytic Catalyst Regeneration Platforming Unit was installed in
May, replacing Nos.1 and 2 CRU.
• Petrotrin started the 3D Seismic survey on May 13, one of its largest land
surveys.
• Petrotrin opened a mammography suite at the Augustus Long Hospital in
September.
• On September 19, the Optimization Group became the fourth group
within the Refining and Marketing Division to reach 1.5 million man hours
without a lost time injury milestone having the last recorded case in 2007.
• In October, Lindsay Gillette was appointed the new Chairman of Petrotrin
Map outlining area of activity for 3D Seismic survey.
38
2011
• An aggressive round of drilling activities resumed in Trinmar Soldado
Fields after a hiatus of almost three years.
• In March, the data recording operations for the 3D Seismic survey on land
was completed while seismic data processing continued.
• The Test and Inspection exercise on Number One Hydrotreating Unit
(1HTU) was completed on April 19.
• Petrotrin signed production sharing contracts with three joint venture
partners for exploration in the NCMA 2, 3, 4 and 4b shallow water blocks on
April 18.
• Petrotrin and the Estate Police Association launched negotiations for a new
Collective Agreement for the period 2008-2011.
• Petrotrin maintained a Baa3 rating from Moody’s Investors Service, an
international leading provider of credit ratings, research and risk analysis. Mr. Lindsay Gillette appointed Chair-
man of Petrotrin, 2010 October.
• Petrotrin NPSA began new negotiations for the period 2009-2012.
• The ULSD plant crossed 2 million man hours without accident.
Left: Radiologists Timothy Dean, Allett
Bruce and Elizabeth Rocke at the new
mammography suite at Augustus Long
Hospital.
39
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin
2010 - 2013 continued
2012
• PETROTRIN and the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) signed
Memoranda of understanding for the bargaining periods 2008-2011 and
2009-2012.
• South West Soldado Development Project was launched in March to boost
production levels.
• The discovery of light oil at Cluster 6 Soldado, the largest find for Petrotrin
in the past decade, was announced on March 29.
• PETROTRIN and Bayfield Energy announced an oil and gas discovery in its
first exploration well in the Galeota Licence/EG8. The discovery was made
in March after drilling to a total depth of 8,133ft (2,479m).
Prime Minister, the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, with Petrotrin’s Chairman
Lindsay Gillette, President Khalid Hassanali (far left), and Minister of Energy and Energy
Affairs Senator, the Honourable Kevin Ramnarine (right), at the post Cabinet news briefing
to announce the find at Cluster 6, Soldado. Photo courtesy the Trinidad Express Newspapers.
40
• On April 30, Kenneth Allum retired as president of Petrotrin, concluding a
career with the organisation that spanned over 37 years.
• On May 1, Khalid Hassanali was appointed the new President of Petrotrin.
• On May 14, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Melones Oil Terminal Inc (MOTI) to explore bunkering
opportunities in the Panama Canal.
• Petrotrin’s President Khalid Hassanali was elevated to the status of Fellow of
the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT)
on June 9.
• An Arbitration Dispute with EPC Contractor Fluor Daniel South America
Limited (Fluor) was settled in PETROTRIN’S favour at the International
Court of Arbitration.
• PETROTRIN officially launched its plans to develop and register a Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM) Project with the United Nation Framework Mr. Khalid Hassanali appointed
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). President of Petrotrin, succeeding
former President Mr. Kenneth Allum.
• The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) launched franchise cricket
locally with its inaugural tournament, the TTCB Power Play T20 Series.
Petrotrin actively supported the three-day tournament and sponsored one
of the four participating franchise team.
• PETROTRIN received an award from the Minister of Local Government and
Tabaquite Member of Parliament, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan in recognition
of its contributions to the development of Tabaquite and to the enhancement
of the lives of its residents.
• PETROTRIN invested $2 million to support the training and development
of athletes in preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
• Phase 1 of the turnaround works on the 8CDU Train at the Pointe-A-Pierre
Refinery began on October 22.
• The construction of a 4” isobutane (iC4) pipeline from Phoenix Park Gas
Processors Ltd (PPGPL) to the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery was completed.
• Petrotrin successfully placed on production the first of four successful
appraisal wells drilled in the Cluster 6 area of Trinmar’s East Soldado. 41
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

2010 - 2013 continued PETROTRIN Plants and Key Projects

• As part of the company’s contributions to skill development, Petrotrin
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Energy
Commissioning the Rexformer Unit in 1958
Skills Centre (NESC). In the late 1950’s to early 70’s, a vigorous and rapid expansion programme
began with the construction of the Rexformer Complex or No. 1 CRU (Unifiner,
• PETROTRIN signed a three-year sponsorship contract with Katzenjammers
Steel Orchestra from Black Rock Tobago.
Platformer and Udex Units). These three units were commissioned in 1958 and
produced high-octane gasoline from low-grade naphtha. In addition to this almost

• The Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs signed Exploration and

Production licences for energy fields and assets in the Point Ligoure, Guapo
concurrently, two units – No. 3 Dubbs and Thermal reformer – were modified and
commissioned in 1958 and 1959 respectively. By the end of 1959, crude capacity
Bay and Brighton Marine Areas. was 135,000 bpd. The Rexformer facility is used to increase high octane level
gasoline.
• Petrotrin received favourable ratings together with a stable outlook from
Moody’s Investors Service and Standard and Poor’s Rating Services. It
received ratings of Baa3 from Moody’s as of December 18 and BBB from
Standard and Poor’s as of December 11.

• The No. 8 Crude Distillation Unit underwent a major turnaround for

maintenance work. Unit was successfully restarted in December 2012.

2013
• On August 13, 2013 Petrotrin’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Programme of Activities (PoA) was successfully registered, by the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Among the
benefits to be derived are the generation of a new revenue stream through
the sale of carbon credits and POA inclusion charges and the reduction
of national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by an average of 10% or 5
million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) annualized over the life
of the project.

42 43
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

PETROTRIN Plants and Key Projects

Seismic Survey
On October 2007 British Gas Trinidad and Tobago Limited (BGTT) completed a 3D
seismic survey within the Central Block, as part of its joint venture arrangement
with Petrotrin.
While BGTT are the operators of the Block, Petrotrin has 35% working interest as
a joint venture partner.
The survey is intended to guide the future exploration on land and is intended to
result in the identification of more oil drilling locations.
Fluidised Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) – “The Cat Cracker”
PETROTRIN embarked on a project in 2007 to construct a new 40 MBSPD /
Hydrodearomatization unit to produce ultra-low sulphur, low-aromatic diesel
with an improved cetane index in its Point-a-Pierre refinery. The move toward
Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel
ultra-low sulphur diesel will improve the company’s ability to meet market
(ULSD) Plant
specifications and remain competitive both regionally and internationally. Other
major benefits of the construction of the ULSD plant include; lowering diesel
engines’ harmful exhaust emissions and improving air quality. The ULSD plant
will bring cleaner, more environmentally friendly diesel as well as it will positively
impact the company’s profitability and viability well into the future.

Fluidised Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU)

44 45
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The Evolution of
Petrotrin
PETROTRIN Plants and Key Projects
Gasoline Optimization Programme
A key component of the Clean Fuels Upgrade, the Gasoline Optimization
Program (GOP) is one of several strategic initiatives being implemented to ensure
PETROTRIN’s survival in the face of changing market demands. The project was
embarked upon in response to challenges facing the refinery and to improve
overall profitability and competitiveness through, improved plant reliability and
integrity, replacement of aged equipment, reduction in sale of unfinished low
value product and increasing sale of higher valued product, meeting increasingly
stringent gasoline specifications. The project involves: Upgrade of the FCCU, A
new Summarization Complex, A continuous Catalytic Regeneration Platformer
Complex, A new Sulphuric Acid/ Alkylation Unit, installation of Offsite Facilities
and Upgrade of utility system.
The Isomerisation unit was the first plant to be constructed as part of the GOP upgrade.
46
Marine Barges
To ensure the efficient and smooth operations of PETROTRIN’s offshore
operations, the company is equipped with nine (9) vessels, among them are:
• One (1) Bunker Barge named Petrotrin Marabella. This bunker is used to carry
fuel oil and gas oil to birthing ships/vessels at the various Petrotrin ports.
• Three (3) Tug Boats – namely Petrotrin Plaisance, Petrotrin Concord and
Petrotrin Carib Valley.
The tug boats are used to guide large ships or vessels in birthing safely on
the ducks safely.
• Five Launches – namely Petrotrin Starfish, Petrotrin Moonfish, Petrotrin
Gull, Petrotrin Kingfish and Petrotrin Wahoo respectively.
These Launches or mini tugs are used to carry Petrotrin crew members in
and around the port.
Petrotrin Marabella bunkering a cruise ship at Port of Spain port.
47
 Down Memory lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

PETROTRIN Plants and Key Projects

South West Soldado (SWS) Project
The South West Soldado (SWS) Project is an ambitious field reactivation project and
is one of the largest projects being undertaken in the Exploration and Production
division within recent times. The project was launched in March 2012. The South
West Soldado (SWS) Field is located several miles off Trinidad’s South Coast Line.

A four pronged approach is being utilized for the Project and consists of new
drilling campaigns, reactivation of existing wells, refurbishment of existing
infrastructure and installation of necessary equipment together with the
construction of a modular designed platform designed to expand when needed.
The facility is being designed to process gross production fluids of approximately
32 MBPD and 48 MMSCFD of gas. The major infrastructure and reactivation
aspects of the project are expected to span over a five (5) year period.

A significant increase in production is expected subsequent to the Project’s

completion, from the approximate 4,000 bopd to an estimated 19,000 bopd at peak.
Such an increase would result in less purchase of more expensive foreign crude for
Petrotrin while reducing loss of foreign exchange.

48
Down Memory Lane
The Evolution of
Petrotrin

Energy Based, Over 100 Years of history…

People Powered 20 years as Petrotrin…
Produced by the
Corporate Communications Department
2013 September

Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited

www.petrotrin.com