For Trinidad, access to Venezuelan offshore gas is widely viewed as the most immediate pathway to reversing declining domestic production. With mature processing facilities, LNG trains and petrochemical plants already in place, Trinidad offers Venezuela a faster, lower-cost route to market, while Venezuela provides the upstream gas volumes Trinidad urgently needs to sustain output. The license effectively removes a critical political and regulatory barrier that has stalled progress on projects such as the Dragon gas field, creating momentum for new commercial agreements.

The implications extend across the entire energy value chain. Additional gas volumes would help sustain LNG exports, secure feedstock for ammonia and methanol production and protect state revenues tied to hydrocarbon output. Cross-border gas from Venezuela is widely viewed as the most viable near-term solution, capable of extending the life of existing assets while stabilizing government revenues and industrial activity.

Parallel efforts are underway to rebuild refining capacity, another cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago’s historical energy strength. After years offline following the closure of the Petrotrin refinery, authorities are exploring crude supply arrangements with Indian Oil Corporation as part of a broader restart strategy. Restoring refining operations could reduce fuel import dependence, revive industrial employment and re-anchor petrochemical integration, though long-term viability again hinges on consistent upstream supply.

These developments will take center stage at Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) in Paramaribo next month, where a Trinidad and Tobago Investment Roundtable will outline the country’s coordinated strategy to reposition itself within the Atlantic Basin energy landscape. The session will demonstrate that near-term, lower-risk opportunities remain available across upstream gas tie-backs, LNG optimization and downstream industrial projects, while also providing clarity on licensing frameworks, cross-border project structures, fiscal terms and investment prospects across gas, refining and petrochemicals.

For investors tracking frontier and near-frontier energy markets, the convergence of U.S. regulatory approval, Venezuelan resource proximity and Trinidadian infrastructure readiness creates a rare window of alignment. If successfully executed, these initiatives could extend the operational life of legacy assets while laying the groundwork for a new phase of gas-driven industrial growth.

As CEW 2026 approaches, Trinidad and Tobago is shifting the narrative – from supply uncertainty toward regional integration and renewed investment momentum – anchored by the cross-border cooperation the new U.S. license now makes possible.

Join us in shaping the future of Caribbean energy. To participate in this landmark event, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.