00:00During a panel discussion on day two of the Energy Chamber's 2026 Energy Conference,
00:05Pro-Mon's Director of Marketing and Logistics, Hannah Sukumaraj,
00:09did not only speak about the company's methanol product,
00:13which is a key ingredient in the fertilizers used by farmers.
00:18Pro-Mon is also an ammonia producer with three plants in Trinidad
00:21and one being built in Topolobambo, Mexico.
00:25We also see the benefit of using ammonia as an alternative fuel.
00:31The starting point for that is the fact that it has zero carbon.
00:35But Pro-Mon's business model is such that we also see the benefit of the ammonia that we produce
00:43directed towards the fertilizer market.
00:47So we view ammonia slightly differently.
00:49It's not just your average petrochemical.
00:51It's something that goes into global food security.
00:55When TV6 users spoke with Pro-Mon Trinidad's Deputy Managing Director, Giselle Thompson,
01:00on day one of the Energy Conference,
01:03we got further details about the platinum sponsor she described
01:06as the largest downstreamer in Trinidad and Topolobo,
01:09which operates 14 petrochemical plants in Pointe-Lisus.
01:14For example, on a big turnaround,
01:15we could have 1,000 more additional contractors on the site when we're in turnaround mode.
01:2185% of all we spend on our business stays in Trinidad and Topolobo.
01:27So that is money that goes into the hands of local service providers,
01:30of contractors, of people getting employment.
01:33So in terms of an economic impact, the downstream is very important.
01:38Definitely not just in terms of the exports of the products and earning foreign exchange for those exports,
01:42but the money that's retained in country as well and that everyone benefits.
01:46TV6 News also sought a clarification on another matter that is key to the operations of the downstream plants in Pointe-Lisus,
01:53as well as the Atlantic liquefied natural gas or LNG plant in Pointe-Lisus.
01:58Is it also reflective of the importance of what a nation does with its gas supply?
02:04Because people may think about LNG,
02:06but of course there's a huge contribution being made by plants at Pointe-Lisus like those owned by Proma.
02:12Absolutely, and I think from the very beginning,
02:15it's been a very important part of our national energy policy.
02:18It's how gas gets allocated between LNG and the downstream for petrochemical production.
02:24Proma's Deputy Managing Director says Trinidad and Tobago has done that
02:28for a reason in recognition of the benefits of the downstream operations.
02:33So I think we need to, just as a country, make sure that gas allocation policy remains top of mind,
02:38particularly when we're dealing with a situation where obviously there isn't enough gas to keep everyone's plants full.
02:45Then it comes down to how best do we allocate that gas for the benefits of the country.
02:49And what about 2026?
02:51We know 2026 is going to be a year where the gas supply is going to be at its lowest.
02:57We are very optimistic about 2027.
02:59We know there are new projects coming in, new gas coming to market,
03:04and other opportunities broader and outside of Trinidad as well.
03:08So we're looking forward to seeing those come to fruition next year.
03:12At the beginning of 2026, Proma announced it is pausing production at one of its plants for an initial two-year period
03:18in response to continued unfavorable global market conditions for melamine.
03:23Because our workforce and our people are really what drives Promaan.
03:28So yes, you may have seen, as you're wrong, we've had to close the melamine plants.
03:32We have kept 90% of the people.
03:36Although we've closed those operations, we've redeployed them across Promaan and some of our projects overseas as well.
03:42Because for us, retaining that talent is so important.
03:44So even in the low cycle, we want to keep our people so that hopefully when things improve, you know, we're ready to run.
03:50Promaan hopes to continue to run safe and efficient operations.
03:54Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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