GOVERNMENT-LED STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF A LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY: THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO EXPERIENCE

摘要

The topic selected for this paper was carefully considered in view of the fact that Trinidad and Tobago’s natural gas and LNG businesses have, in the past five years, experienced phenomenal levels of growth. This fact is complemented by the situation whereby the country is now host to one of the most diverse gas-based sectors in the entire world and its LNG ranking will soon be amongst the top five in the world. This paper will present an analysis of the Historical, Current and Future Strategic Government-Level Imperatives which have impinged upon the strategies of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago regarding the development of an LNG industry in the context of the country being a Small-Island State with moderate reserves of natural gas. This paper will examine, from a Government strategic-level, the development and expansion of the gas industry in Trinidad and Tobago as a prelude to the country making the developmental shift towards LNG. The paper will trace the genesis and growth of the development of the LNG industry in Trinidad and Tobago. It will show how Trinidad and Tobago, a developing country, has been able to attract substantial LNG investment capital to the country, along with the varied economic benefits and drawbacks that have been generated. There will also be a look at the Government policies, which have resulted in the country’s LNG success story with a particular focus on the future prospects for further investment in LNG projects in the country. Aligned to this, the paper will also outline what the Government is doing in leveraging the significant LNG expansion in the country to ensure that it contributes to the Government’s key objective of achieving developed status for the country by 2020.