00:00The session brought together senior EMA officials and representatives from major energy companies,
00:06including BP Trinidad & Tobago, Shell, ExxonMobil, Heritage Petroleum and others.
00:13According to the authority, the discussions focused on improving the timelines of application reviews
00:19and clarifying regulatory requirements that affect approvals and post-permit compliance.
00:25The EMA acknowledged operational constraints within the process, while operators raised concerns about data requirements and submission standards.
00:34Officials say one of the main challenges involves the collection and management of baseline environmental data.
00:41The authority is now considering the development of a structured data repository to improve information sharing and reduce duplication.
00:49The EMA also indicated that clearer guidance on required data sets, formatting standards and consultant qualifications should help streamline applications.
01:01Further discussions examined the current five-year data requirement used in environmental assessments and whether that time frame should be
01:09reviewed.
01:10Both the authority and industry representatives described the meeting as constructive,
01:14with a commitment to continued engagement aimed at strengthening the permitting framework and supporting responsible energy sector development.
01:24Aksha Galston, TV6 News.
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