The Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, has highlighted a major milestone in the Manatee Plus project following a successful heavy haul operation along the Guayaguayare–Mayaro corridor on April 12, 2026.
Oversized equipment was safely transported from Galeota Port to the Beachfield Facility under coordinated supervision, ensuring minimal disruption to the public.
This operation follows critical repair works to the Lizard River Bridge, completed in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, allowing the structure to support the heavy load.
The Manatee Plus project remains on schedule and is expected to play a key role in strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s future natural gas supply and energy security. The Minister also noted increased production expectations and welcomed continued investment in the sector.
This latest development signals tangible progress, with visible work now underway on one of the country’s major energy projects.
* See full statement by Minister Moonilal below:
On April 12, 2026, Shell Trinidad and Tobago successfully conducted a planned heavy haul operation along the Guayaguayare–Mayaro corridor to transport oversized industrial equipment (specifically a Gas separator and Cross Island Pipeline Drum) from Galeota Port to the Beachfield Facility. The movement was executed under controlled conditions and in coordination with the relevant regulatory, traffic management, and law enforcement authorities to ensure public safety and minimise disruption.
The transport activity followed the completion of structural repair works to the Lizard River Bridge, which were supported by Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure between October 2025 and April 2026. These works ensured the bridge met the required safety and load bearing standards necessary to accommodate the heavy haul. I wish to thank the Minister of Works and Infrastructure and her team for their quick response to several requests for logistical assistance.
This operation represents a key logistics milestone for the Manatee Plus project, a major offshore gas development expected to support Trinidad and Tobago’s future natural gas supply and long term energy security.
The Manatee Plus project being undertaken by Shell represents one of the major projects for which we are eagerly anticipating first gas. Following discussions with Shell we were able to increase the production expected from this project as mandated by the Hon Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, MP, Sc.
The transportation of major processing equipment brings a tangible element for this project as citizens can now see that significant work is being done in the energy sector. It is always reassuring to see the physical elements of a development being constructed and installed as it signals the development is becoming a reality. The Manatee plus project is continuing as per schedule and the activities over the last couple of days is testament to the investments that are flowing into the country.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant planning and logistics that would have gone into this operation and we look forward to the production of the first molecules from the Manatee plus field.
