BP and EOG look forward to first gas as countdown for sail-away of new offshore platform begins

BP Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT), a subsidiary of the UK-based energy giant BP, is anticipating the sail-away of a new offshore platform over the next few weeks as final touches continue to be added to prepare the platform, destined for work off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, for its departure from the fabrication yard of Trinidad Offshore Fabricators Unlimited (TOFCO) in La Brea, where the platform is being constructed.

The Mento platform at the TOFCO fabrication yard is said to have entered the final stages of construction to get ready for sail-away within the coming weeks. The new facility will be deployed at the Mento development, representing a 50/50 joint venture between bpTT and EOG Resources Trinidad (EOG), with EOG as the operator. 

This project is perceived to underscore the importance of collaboration in unlocking Trinidad and Tobago’s oil and gas resources. The partnership between bpTT and EOG is not a new endeavor, since the duo has been working together since 2011 when they announced their first joint development, EMZ.

The Mento asset will be a 12-slot, manned facility off Trinidad’s southeast coast. The first gas is expected in 2025. Thanks to previous developments, encompassing Sercan in 2016 and Banyan in 2017, aside from EMZ in 2011, Mento will be the fourth joint venture development between the two players.

Since bpTT and EOG are on the lookout for opportunities to develop further resources in the Columbus Basin, more are likely to come in the future. The pair also recently announced plans to partner on the Coconut gas development under a similar joint venture arrangement.

With the final investment decision (FID) to develop Coconut out of the way, the first gas is slated for 2027 off the southeast coast of Trinidad in the Columbus Basin. This partnership for the Coconut development is part of BP’s strategy to grow its gas business and unlock the energy future of Trinidad and Tobago.

The firm’s affiliate in Trinidad and Tobago struck a deal in September 2024 with Perenco T&T, part of the Perenco Group, to sell four mature gas assets and undeveloped resources from one field.

The move is interpreted to support BP’s drive to become a simpler, more focused, and higher-value company while enabling Perenco to expand its footprint in Trinidad and Tobago, investing in the assets to unlock additional gas reserves and increase the production potential of the fields.