Oil and Gas and

the Environment in
Trinidad and
Tobago: Experience
and Challenges
Ashish K Jha
Harsh Harde
Koustav Naha
Pranali Baxi

Environmental Impact of Oil and Gas

Extraction

Air and water pollution

Oil Spill

Socio-Cultural Impact

Ecological Damage

Accident and Fire

Trinidad and Tobago

Small Island Vulnerable to environmental impact

On Aug. 31, 1962, Trinidad and Tobago gained independence

and on Aug. 1, 1976, Trinidad and Tobago became a republic,
remaining within the Commonwealth.

GDP in 2015 is $30.12 billion

Oil and gas account for about 40% of GDP and

80% of exports, but only 5% of employment

Oil Spill in Trinidad and Tobago

Eleven oil spills occurred between 17 December 2013 and 29

December 2013.(Petrotrin)

Recently on September 13, 2016, oil was seen emanating

from Well ABM 37 located in the Brighton Marine field.

On August 23, 2016 crude oil has spilled into the already
polluted Gulf of Paria after a Petrotrin discharge line from an
oil to shore pump of Trinmars Platform 17 developed a leak.

Possible Environmental and Social impact

of Oil Spill in Trinidad and Tobago

Environmental

There are somewhere between 400 to 500 different species of marine fish as
well as 21 different types of freshwater fish.

The spill has put the countrys marine and freshwater animals that inhabit
the bodies of water near the Pointe-a-Pierre base, such as Queens beach,
Coffee beach and the Caribbean Ocean, in harms way.

Social

The Best Tourist Destination for 2012

Trinidad and Tobago Oil and Gas Industry

Oil production since

1908

Governed by Ministry of Energy and

Energy Affairs (MEEA)

Gas Production since

1953

2000 Environmental Management Act

(EM) implemented by Environmental
Management Authority (EMA)

2001 Certificate of Environmental

Clearance(CEC) started under EM act.

Environment Impact Assessment(EIA)

is a tool within CEC to identify and
assess the environmental impacts of
energy sector

Trinidad and Tobago Oil and Gas Industry

Major Activity by Oil and Gas Industry required to have

EIA(Legal Requirement)

Others follows CEC process.

EIA in Oil and Gas Project - Challenges

Paucity of accessible data

Owned by private entities

Government does not have website

Lack of public participation

Citizen have no direct concern

NGO also has a low public inclusion in EIA

Lack of post approval enforcement

Lack of quality control

Conclusion

Quality Assurance must be a part of EIA.

Strategic Environment Assessment(SEA) is a crucial part of EIA and

needs to be implemented in Trinidad and Tobago.

EIA process should be a Life cycle approach rather than approval

mechanism.

Consistent post approval monitoring by EMA, MEEA and independent

body.

Technical and institutional capacity of local regulatory agencies should

be improved through training and technology transfer among countries
regions and organizations.

Clear avenues of communication to ensure public participation.

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