00:00TV6 News has sought an update from BPTT, the local operation of global energy giant BP,
00:06as another global energy giant, Shell, is advancing its talks with the government of Venezuela
00:11for the development of four large areas of natural gas near Trinidad and Tobago.
00:17BPTT told TV6 News that, quote,
00:19BP continues to engage in constructive conversations with the government of Venezuela
00:24and are advancing the Mannequin Coquina cross-border natural gas project, end quote.
00:30As The Express has reported, the Mannequin Coquina field extends across the delimitation line
00:36between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.
00:38On its website, BPTT said that of the unitized Mannequin Coquina field,
00:4466% of the discovered gas resources have been allocated to Trinidad, the mannequin field,
00:50with 34% allocated to Venezuela, the Coquina field.
00:55The Energy Ministry announced in October of 2024 that BPTT completed the seismic work
01:00at the cross-border Mannequin Coquina gas field.
01:03A previous license granted by the U.S. for the development of the Mannequin Coquina cross-border gas field
01:09on May 28, 2024, under the former Biden administration to Trinidad and Tobago,
01:15under the former PNM administration, was revoked by the U.S.
01:19under the administration being led by President Donald Trump.
01:23The revocation of that license and another for the project for the supply of natural gas
01:27from Venezuela's dragon field occurred shortly before the 2025 general election
01:33in Trinidad and Tobago on April 28th of last year.
01:37Soon after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
01:39and Prime Minister Kamala Passat-Besessa held a meeting in Washington, D.C.
01:43In September of last year, Trinidad and Tobago received a new six-month license from the U.S.
01:49In February of this year, the U.S. granted a general license for the development of petroleum resources
01:55in Venezuela following the capture in January of this year of Venezuela's President,
02:00Nicholas Maduro, and his wife by U.S. forces.
02:03Last week, international news agency Reuters reported that Shell was advancing its talks
02:08with the government of Venezuela.
02:10BPTT says on its website that BP will hold 80% equity in the coquina field
02:15with the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago, the NGC, holding 20%.
02:21June Brown, TV6 News.
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