Trinidad & Tobago Production Unit

Inspiring, exciting, distinctive

A vibrant, agile, high performance energy business we are proud of and others admire. We do this by:

  • Relentlessly focusing on safety, health and the environment;
  • Unleashing the full potential of our people;
  • Positively impacting our communities;
  • Delivering extraordinary business outcomes.

We do what is right and honour our promises, always. That's how we are building a legacy business.

Block 2(c) Background

BHP Billiton began exploring in Trinidad and Tobago in 1996, signing the country's first Production Sharing Contract under a new fiscal regime. Since that time we have been the only company to successfully pursue a new oil play in the region.

In 1999, BHP Billiton made a natural gas discovery on Block 2(c) with the Angostura-1 well. In 2000, the Aripo-1 well also encountered a thick interval of gas pay and a thin oil reservoir. The Kairi-1 well discovered oil and gas in August 2001. In subsequent testing, Kairi-1 flowed at rates up to 3,000 barrels of oil per day on a 38/64-inch choke, indicating the commercial oil potential of the accumulation. Following the oil discovery at Kairi, a project development team was assembled to initiate an appraisal drilling programme and to begin assessing development options.

Drilling of Canteen-1 began in October 2001. Located on a separate fault block approximately 1.6 km north of Kairi-1, Canteen-1 demonstrated a lateral extension of the oil accumulation, encountering approximately 213 metres (700 feet) of gross hydrocarbon-bearing sands that included 61 metres (200 feet) of net oil pay and 54.5 metres (179 feet) of net gas pay. The well tested at a rate of approximately 3,700 barrels of oil per day through a 72/64-inch choke. The Kairi-2 (ST2) appraisal well drilled in early 2002 encountered a 98 metre (322 feet) gas column, and more importantly, an oil column of 71.6 metres (235 feet).

Angostura Development

The Greater Angostura Development began crude oil production on January 9, 2005.

In February 2003, following the completion of an appraisal drilling program in 2002, BHP Billiton committed US$327 million to the development of the first phase of the Angostura integrated oil and gas development (gross costs for this phase are estimated at US$726 million). Located in Block 2(c) offshore Trinidad and Tobago, the project is consistent with our strategy of pursuing growth through petroleum exploration and production that can provide good returns.

During this initial development phase, oil is produced from three wellhead protector platforms via flowlines to a steel jacketed central production platform. Associated gas is re-injected to the reservoir to optimise oil recovery. The produced fluids are stabilised at the central processing platform, and the oil is transported via pipeline to onshore storage and marine loading facilities located near Guayaguayare Bay (in southeast Trinidad) for export to market.

Angostura is located in relatively shallow waters, with depths of approximately 40 metres (130 feet). The development features proven technology for this kind of environment.

We are the operator of the Angostura field and hold a 45% interest in the development. Partners include Total, which has a 30% interest, and Talisman Energy, a 25% interest holder.

The Angostura joint venture is committed to maximising local involvement in the field development, encouraging the establishment of partnerships and other collaborations between international suppliers and resident organisations to support infrastructure development, and enhance opportunities for Trinidad and Tobago-based enterprises.

A second phase of development involving the commercialisation of gas reserves is expected to occur three to nine years following first oil, depending on reservoir performance. More...

Exploration

Our exploration program in Trinidad and Tobago is part of our overall strategy to pursue and capture hydrocarbon-bearing assets that can provide high-margin returns. We have established an advantageous acreage position in an area that has been lightly explored. With our discoveries in the Greater Angostura Structure, we have opened a new play fairway and are in a leading position to further exploit our proprietary knowledge of the area and our experience in working it.