Regulatory approval for further development at Carapal Ridge provides a clear step forward for gas production growth in Trinidad and Tobago, with direct implications for timing, capital efficiency and supply expansion.
The Environmental Management Authority has issued a Certificate of Environmental Clearance to Primera Oil and Gas Limited, a subsidiary of Touchstone Exploration (Trinidad) Limited, enabling the drilling and production of natural gas and condensate from two additional wells at the existing Carapal Ridge-3 location in the Central Block, Moruga.
The approval follows encouraging results from the Carapal-3 well and supports the move into development of a newly identified gas-bearing reservoir.
Project execution is supported by the use of an existing well pad and infrastructure. This lowers upfront capital requirements, limits environmental exposure and removes the need for new site development. As a result, the pathway from approval to first gas is likely to be shorter, improving the near-term production outlook and accelerating potential cash flow contribution.
The approval was granted within the statutory timeline following early engagement between the company and the regulator. This suggests a more predictable permitting environment, which is relevant for planning future drilling activity and allocating capital across the portfolio.
This clearance is the eighth major approval issued under the Authority’s current board, with most directed towards oil and gas developments. The trend indicates continued institutional support for upstream activity, reinforcing the sector’s role in the national economy while maintaining formal environmental oversight.
Touchstone Exploration Inc (LON:TXP) is a Canadian-based, international upstream oil and gas company currently active in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Primera Oil and Gas is the Trinidadian subsidiary of Touchstone.
