Khan: First Dragon gas by 2021

Energy Minister Franklin Khan. PHOTO BY SUREASH CHOLAI
Energy Minister Franklin Khan. PHOTO BY SUREASH CHOLAI

ENERGY Minister Franklin Khan says the first gas from the Dragon field in Venezuela is expected in 2021.

He was responding to a question in the House yesterday on the percentage progress of the gas deal between TT and Venezuela. He said the measurement of progress by a percentage was not an appropriate indicator. He pointed out a heads of agreement was executed on December 5, 2016 and a term sheet signed on August 25, 2018. He added other elements of the project were in train with a completion time frame of between 12 to 18 months. Khan said the last major agreement to be signed is the gas sales agreement.

“The first gas is projected for 2021.”

Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee said National Gas Company (NGC) CEO had predicted Dragon gas would come in the first quarter of 2020; NGC president Mark Loquan had predicted early 2020s. Khan responded: “I did not hear or was personally there when the (president) made that statement, but I speak now as the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, as somebody who has a synopsis of the entire project.”

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal asked whether with “former” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro there was a legally binding contract for the gas whether in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 or 2024. Khan said the heads of agreement was signed between the Government of TT and the government of Venezuela.

“It was signed between Prime Minister Rowley and President Maduro.”

He said they both signed on behalf of their respective citizens and with a cross-border project the individual companies could not sign without a heads of agreement.

“And a terms sheet is not a binding contract. The binding contract will be the gas sales agreement.”

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