What are your initial impressions upon entering Atlantic and the Trinidadian market after completing your first year with the company?

I have joined a strong company with a great safety performance. In the five years of operation and 18 million man-hours, there has been no lost time incident or injury, and our Train 4 had an output of 5.2 million tonnes of LNG, which made us one of the most significant players in the LNG market. Trinidad and Tobago is a promising market despite 100 years of production. With more drilling, we can expect to see reserves increase.

Could you please outline Atlantic’s unique shareholder model with a complex system of contracts?

The shareholders in each of the four trains each have very different percentages, with BP, BG, and Repsol as shareholders in all four trains. National Gas Company and Summer Soca from China are also shareholders in Train 1, and National Gas Company has a percentage in Train 4. Each of the trains has separate supply contracts, and each has its separate off-take arrangements.

Why did Atlantic decide to diversify to new markets before the shale gas boom in the United States, and what led to this change?

The decision to diversify to new markets was ultimately determined by the offtakers, our customers. Four years ago, 80% of Atlantic’s product was going to the US market, but now, less than 20% goes to the US market. Our offtakers were able to diversify from the North American market to higher priced options in Europe, the Far East, and Latin America. In following global energy pricing trends, Atlantic and the Trinidadian LNG market have poised themselves to remain strong in the face of a shift away from North American demand.

What are some of the investments that Atlantic has planned in the coming years?

Atlantic is planning to invest between $250 million and $500 million over the next three to five years to upgrade its plant and ensure its longevity. The focus will be on improving the plant’s reliability, efficiency, and integrity. The possibility of a fifth train is not out of the question, but this will depend on new finds for our clients.

Do you see small-scale LNG and CNG projects within the Caribbean as a significant new market for Trinidadian exports or as more of a niche market for smaller companies?

These types of projects will provide more of a niche market as they are much smaller in scale than the types of exports that go halfway across the world. The regional market will grow in importance, but it will be a niche. The growth of CNG and further outlets for LNG has considerable benefits for the environment and the reduction of more traditional, but dirtier, fossil fuels such as coal and oil.