April output at Trinidad-based gas liquefaction complex Atlantic LNG fell 13% year on year to 1.9 million cubic meters, according to data released Friday by Trinidad and Tobago's Energy Ministry, continuing the trend of falling production underway for over a year.
That is the lowest level at the Point Fortin-based facility since 2005, when three trains were in operation, instead of the current four. Production has been sliding for the past 15 months compared with year-ago levels.
Atlantic LNG has said it continues to suffer from ongoing natural gas curtailments by producers in Trinidad, which have negatively impacted the supply picture since about 2010.
Shortfalls stem from disruptions caused by upgrades to gas infrastructure and a collapse in upstream investment by gas companies in Trinidad. The industry has been operating without cushion gas, so that when any of the 26 gas-producing platforms is taken offline, it can disrupt supply to Atlantic LNG and other facilities.
The seven gas producers operating in Trinidad and Tobago produced an average 3.4 Bcf/d in April, a decrease of 6%. The country's LNG sector used 1.6 Bcf/d of natural gas in April, down 14%, according to the ministry. April LNG sales and deliveries from ALNG came to 44.9 million MMBtu, down 12% on the year.
The company's sales and deliveries of NGLs in April totaled 381,131 barrels, down 17% year on year.
Atlantic operates and manages the facility, with each train owned by a holding company. Shareholders are BP, BG, Shell LNG, Summer Soca LNG Liquefaction, and the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago.
