Planning Economic Affairs and Development Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh and the
Environmental Management Authority (EMA) are announcing 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.