This is the first CEC issued for activities related to the exploration for hydrocarbon resources within the ultra-deepwater marine area.

Planning Economic Affairs and Development Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) have officially announced the issuance of a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) to ExxonMobil Trinidad and Tobago Deepwater Limited (ExxonMobil) for the conduct of a 3-dimensional seismic survey, with a total area of 8,825 square kilometres within Block TTUD-1, located off the East Coast of Trinidad.

This approval marks a significant milestone, as it is the first CEC issued for activities related to the exploration for hydrocarbon resources within the ultra-deepwater marine area, and is the second CEC issued for the offshore exploration for oil and gas under the newly appointed Board of Directors. This approval was granted well within the EMA’s statutory timeframe, underscoring the Authority’s commitment to efficient, transparent, and timely decision-making processes. The EMA is a statutory body which is a key part of the Planning Ministry’s environmental mandate.

The CEC was handed to Mr. Alex Almandoz, Local Advisor, In Country Representative for ExxonMobil during a press conference at the head office of the Planning Ministry on Monday December 29, 2025.

Minister Swaratsingh highlighted the importance of managing the environmental and national development opportunities of such projects and further committed the Ministry’s role in ensuring the proper balance needed for sustainability. The Planning Minister also spoke of the priority desk, which is another facility in train by the Town and Country Planning Division, to increase the efficiency of the approval process for projects over $50 million TT.

In attendance, Energy and Energy Industries Minister Roodal Moonilal thanked Minister Swaratsingh and Staff of the EMA, including Wayne Rajkumar – Managing Director (Ag.), Vidjaya Ramkhalawan – Manager – Permitting and Sally Maharaj – Environmental Programme Officer III and the entire staff of the EMA’s CEC Unit for the turnover of the application and emphasised that $120 million US per year can be earned for Trinidad and Tobago from such quick and detailed approvals to similar requests for CECs.

According to the EMA’s Deputy Chairman Neeala Mongroo, “Today’s issuance of this CEC marks an important milestone for Trinidad and Tobago, as it is the first CEC granted for exploration activity in the country’s ultra-deepwater marine environment. The EMA undertook a thorough, science-based and transparent assessment process, supported by inter-agency collaboration and detailed technical review. This decision reflects careful consideration of environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and national development priorities. The EMA remains committed to strong oversight and ongoing monitoring to ensure that all approved activities are conducted in strict accordance with the conditions of the Certificate and the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. Advancing sustainable development while safeguarding the nation’s environment remains a central priority of the new Board of Directors, which is focused on improving the efficiency of regulatory processes. The process leading to the issuance of this CEC was driven by the Chairman of the EMA, Doolar Ramlal, together with the Authority’s Board of Directors, reflecting the Board’s focus on strengthening governance, accountability, and efficiency in alignment with the Honourable Prime Minister’s development agenda. This approval represents the second oil and gas CEC issued by the newly appointed Board, following the recent approval granted to EOG Resources and now to Exxon Mobil.”

The application for the CEC was submitted to the EMA on September 29, 2025, and underwent a comprehensive review process, which included several Requests for Further Information and Clarification and an extensive technical assessment of the proposed survey activity, as well as inter-agency collaboration between the EMA and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI).

The EMA’s assessment considered, among other factors:

Stakeholder engagement efforts undertaken by ExxonMobil, alongside issues raised directly with the Authority.
Detailed project documentation, including detailed descriptions, schedules, maps, survey methodology and parameters, vessel specifications, and associated support activities.
A Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Protection Plan outlining the proposed mitigation measures to reduce the potential impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles.
A description of the plans for managing hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and for addressing potential accidents, natural disasters, and other hazards.
Baseline data on the physical, biological, and socio-cultural environment.
A qualitative assessment of potential environmental impacts, including underwater noise, air emissions, marine discharges, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and vessel traffic, supported by an underwater acoustic modelling study.
Following the technical evaluation, the EMA determined that the information provided was sufficient and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not required for the proposed activity.

This is the first CEC issued for activities related to the exploration for hydrocarbon resources within the ultra-deepwater marine area.

Planning Economic Affairs and Development Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) have officially announced the issuance of a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) to ExxonMobil Trinidad and Tobago Deepwater Limited (ExxonMobil) for the conduct of a 3-dimensional seismic survey, with a total area of 8,825 square kilometres within Block TTUD-1, located off the East Coast of Trinidad.

This approval marks a significant milestone, as it is the first CEC issued for activities related to the exploration for hydrocarbon resources within the ultra-deepwater marine area, and is the second CEC issued for the offshore exploration for oil and gas under the newly appointed Board of Directors. This approval was granted well within the EMA’s statutory timeframe, underscoring the Authority’s commitment to efficient, transparent, and timely decision-making processes. The EMA is a statutory body which is a key part of the Planning Ministry’s environmental mandate.

The CEC was handed to Mr. Alex Almandoz, Local Advisor, In Country Representative for ExxonMobil during a press conference at the head office of the Planning Ministry on Monday December 29, 2025.

Minister Swaratsingh highlighted the importance of managing the environmental and national development opportunities of such projects and further committed the Ministry’s role in ensuring the proper balance needed for sustainability. The Planning Minister also spoke of the priority desk, which is another facility in train by the Town and Country Planning Division, to increase the efficiency of the approval process for projects over $50 million TT.

In attendance, Energy and Energy Industries Minister Roodal Moonilal thanked Minister Swaratsingh and Staff of the EMA, including Wayne Rajkumar – Managing Director (Ag.), Vidjaya Ramkhalawan – Manager – Permitting and Sally Maharaj – Environmental Programme Officer III and the entire staff of the EMA’s CEC Unit for the turnover of the application and emphasised that $120 million US per year can be earned for Trinidad and Tobago from such quick and detailed approvals to similar requests for CECs.

According to the EMA’s Deputy Chairman Neeala Mongroo, “Today’s issuance of this CEC marks an important milestone for Trinidad and Tobago, as it is the first CEC granted for exploration activity in the country’s ultra-deepwater marine environment. The EMA undertook a thorough, science-based and transparent assessment process, supported by inter-agency collaboration and detailed technical review. This decision reflects careful consideration of environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and national development priorities. The EMA remains committed to strong oversight and ongoing monitoring to ensure that all approved activities are conducted in strict accordance with the conditions of the Certificate and the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. Advancing sustainable development while safeguarding the nation’s environment remains a central priority of the new Board of Directors, which is focused on improving the efficiency of regulatory processes. The process leading to the issuance of this CEC was driven by the Chairman of the EMA, Doolar Ramlal, together with the Authority’s Board of Directors, reflecting the Board’s focus on strengthening governance, accountability, and efficiency in alignment with the Honourable Prime Minister’s development agenda. This approval represents the second oil and gas CEC issued by the newly appointed Board, following the recent approval granted to EOG Resources and now to Exxon Mobil.”

The application for the CEC was submitted to the EMA on September 29, 2025, and underwent a comprehensive review process, which included several Requests for Further Information and Clarification and an extensive technical assessment of the proposed survey activity, as well as inter-agency collaboration between the EMA and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI).

The EMA’s assessment considered, among other factors:

Stakeholder engagement efforts undertaken by ExxonMobil, alongside issues raised directly with the Authority.
Detailed project documentation, including detailed descriptions, schedules, maps, survey methodology and parameters, vessel specifications, and associated support activities.
A Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Protection Plan outlining the proposed mitigation measures to reduce the potential impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles.
A description of the plans for managing hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and for addressing potential accidents, natural disasters, and other hazards.
Baseline data on the physical, biological, and socio-cultural environment.
A qualitative assessment of potential environmental impacts, including underwater noise, air emissions, marine discharges, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and vessel traffic, supported by an underwater acoustic modelling study.
Following the technical evaluation, the EMA determined that the information provided was sufficient and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not required for the proposed activity.