Former Minister of Energy and energy expert Kevin Ramnarine has welcomed the increase in gas production from Touchstone Exploration’s Cascadura gas field, describing it as a positive development for Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector. However, he cautioned that a broader and more sustainable recovery in natural gas production is not expected until 2027 or 2028.
“Any increase in the Cascadura area is welcome however Touchstone is a small producer of gas in the national context, so their increase in gas production, while very much welcomed is good news but it is not really going to transform things. I think the transformative things that we are looking for are things like the Manatee project and the Venezuelan gas initiatives.”
Mr. Ramnarine said the ongoing diplomatic engagements involving Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, and multinational energy companies are expected to yield positive results in the coming years.
He also highlighted several domestic energy projects that are expected to contribute to a gradual increase in natural gas production, helping to support the sector’s recovery and long-term growth.
“I think that we will begin to feel that impact by the fourth quarter of 2027 and certainly by 2028 with Manatee fully on stream and with Ginger and Coconut already having been put into production in 2027, I think 2028 wll be a year when we should see gas production go up above 3 billion cubic feet of gas per day.”
Touchstone Exploration has announced that its average natural gas production increased to 12.6 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) in August, up from 9.7 million cubic feet per day in July, reflecting stronger output from the Cascadura gas field.