The Corporate Quarterly Journal of The National Gas Company of Limited Volume 25, No. 1, June 2014

Building TalenT– HR programmes Launch New Opportunities Page 16

GROwiNG

tHe BusiNess–Page 4 New Acquisitions

Apply now for NGC’s Business Upstream Development (BUD) Graduate Internship Programme 2014.

The National Gas Company of Trinidad & Tobago Limited (NGC) is offering graduate internship opportunities to nationals of Trinidad & Tobago through its Business Upstream Development (BUD) Graduate Internship Programme.This career development programme is designed for budding young professionals, who have recently graduated from recognised and accredited universities and tertiary education institutions, with degrees that are relevant to the Company’s business.

The BUD programme will provide recent university graduates with an opportunity to experience business in the energy sector with a view to ensuring that the consistent growth and sustainability of potential talent is available to feed the industry’s current and future needs. It is a two-year internship programme and trainees may be retained by NGC subject to organizational needs.

Selection Criteria: Preference will be given to Graduates from A Bachelor’s degree, preferably an Upper Second Class the following disciplines: Honours or higher from a recognised university. • Chemical Engineering • Process Engineering Applicants should not be older than twenty-five (25) years • Civil Engineering of age and should have graduated within two (2) years of • Electrical Engineering the scheduled start of the internship programme. • Mechanical Engineering • Marine Engineering • Human Resources, Psychology, Sociology • Communications • Economics • Information Technology

To apply online and to receive further information, please visit: www.ngc.co.tt Closing date for receipt of applications is 30th April 2014. Contents

Volume 25, No. 1 • June 2014 PReSidenT’S MeSSage • Taking Our Place on the World Stage 3 produced by the National Gas Company of trinidad and tobago Limited (NGC) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Orinoco Drive • Growing the Business 4 point Lisas industrial estate, Republic of trinidad and tobago • S&P Credit Rating of A- for NGC 7 west indies • NGC Signs Agreement with China 7 • The Need for a Transshipment Port Managing editor and Dry Dock at Brighton, La Brea 8 Christine punnett, Head, external Communications, NGC sub-editor COMMUNITY Coretta-lee Clifford, Public Relations Officer, external • Beyond the Boundary 11 Communications, NGC

Contributing writers OUR HUMAN RESOURCE • Marleen Lord-Lewis, VP Operations, National Energy • Building Talent 16 • John Jones, Manager, Business and Technical support, Operations, National energy • Thérèse Lee, Graduate Trainee, Business and SAFETY technical support, Operations, National energy • The NGC Eco-Phoenix Club 18 • Antonia Lucky, Corporate Lead, Environment, Health and safety, NGC photography NGC NEWS NGC Archives • Nigerian Study Tour of T&T 22 • NGC & UWI partner for Research Expo 23 Artwork The Art Bank Limited NATIONAL ENERGY NEWS print • New Brand for National Energy 24 Scrip-J Printers Ltd • New Vessels Commissioned 24 please address all correspondence to • Investing in the future: Rewards for GAsCO News Engineering students 25 c/o NGC external Communications p.O. Box 1127, LABIDCO NEWS tel: 868-636-4662,4680 Fax: 868-679-2384 • Stakeholder Engagement 26 email: [email protected] website: www.ngc.co.tt

© 2014 Material in this publication, with the exception of photography, may be reproduced once credit is given to GAsCO News. pResiDeNt’s MessAGe tAkiNG OuR pLACe ON tHe wORLD stAGe

The late American poet and activist, Maya Angelou, often spoke of her mission in life as “not merely to survive, but to thrive.” Over the decades, the National Gas Company of trinidad and tobago Limited (NGC) has certainly thrived in a locally and internationally challenging arena, holding true to a vision of becoming a valued partner in the global energy business.

ince our humble beginnings in of these include: NGC’s increase in our skilled staff - over 800 dedicated 1975, NGC’s business has grown existing equity by the purchase of professionals who are passionate about exponentially and currently has Conocophillips’ 39% shareholding in their work. In this issue, you will an asset base of tt$41 billion Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited meet some of these leaders and learn sand a standard & poor’s (s&p) credit (ppGpL), a company which has earned more about NGC’s social responsibility rating of A-. its expanded portfolio a reputation for strong financial initiatives in the arts, education, allows the Group to self-fund several performance, operating efficiency science, sport and the environment. major capital projects while remaining and safety, as well as the French profitable even in periods of weak energy giant total’s assets in t&t. At the awards ceremony for the commodity prices. the Company internationally, NGC has also provided exceedingly popular NGC Bocas Literary also owns, maintains and operates an technical services to tanzania, and Festival, the novelist and overall onshore/offshore pipeline network of in 2012 NGC, National energy and winner, , lauded the prize approximately 1,000 km, and over the the tanzania petroleum Development as “wonderful” and “necessary” stating years has developed sites, port and Company signed a Memorandum of that “it is up to us in the Caribbean to marine infrastructure and services. understanding (Mou) for co-operation decide who we are, to take a place on between both countries’ energy the world stage”—a challenge that NGC There is a definite need to continue sectors. in 2013, NGC also submitted has already accepted. to diversify and grow the business a bid for a multi-product pipeline during this Golden Age of opportunity, between uganda and kenya. there we hope that you enjoy this issue and when world demand for natural gas is has also been careful, strategic share your thoughts with us as we expected to surpass many other forms consideration of opportunities in Costa move forward. it is going to be an of energy. China will take the lead as Rica, Ghana, panama, and the usA. historic, rewarding and remarkable it is expected to experience the largest ride. increase in demand. NGC will also continue to develop downstream opportunities with the NGC’s new strategic focus, which provision of Compressed Natural Gas is aligned with that of our national (CNG) for transportation, and the agenda, will capitalise on increased supply of gas to the light industrial INdAR MAHARAJ world demand for not only natural gas, and commercial sectors on the islands. President, NGC but technical expertise. these strategic investments in the energy sector at home and abroad Although NGC is significantly will ensure the Company and nation’s diversified, with gas providing less continued growth. than half of its revenue, the Company has dramatically broadened its core we can all agree that the continued business of natural gas marketing economic success of trinidad and and transportation with recent key Tobago is inextricably linked to the acquisitions which have been steered energy sector. Our Company’s success by our Commercial Department. some is a reality, principally because of

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GROwiNG tHe BusiNess

NGC’s recent business acquisitions look to local upstream and downstream sectors as well as global energy giants. How has this new business strategy helped to strengthen the Company and what’s next?

NGC’s Acquisition of Total’s Upstream Assets Signing Ceremony: NGC’s Chairman Roop Chan Chadeesingh; Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs, Senator the Honourable Kevin Ramnarine; Total’s Project Director, Juan Marcos Braga and NGC’s President, Indar Maharaj.

cquisition is one of the strategies its business model. instituted in August is desired. the question now for NGC utilised by companies to achieve 1975, this model concentrated on the becomes one of capital efficiency and Agrowth. purchase, transportation and sale of growth,” explained the Honourable natural gas from the former Amoco’s Minister of energy and energy Affairs, Other strategies include diversification, East Coast fields to the Trinidad and kevin Ramnarine. He further indicated divestment and internal growth or tobago electricity Commission (t&teC), that with its strong asset base, NGC combinations of these stratagems. in which has since evolved significantly. has “the seed to begin to diversify 2013, as a valued player in our nation’s the economy and diversify the energy natural gas-based energy industry, “the existing NGC business model, sector. the vision for NGC has to be an the National Gas Company (NGC) was which has worked well, will however expansionist vision that takes it out of mandated by the Government to relook not provide the accelerated growth that t&t.”

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Expanding beyond the core exploration and production assets for e&p business earnings within trinidad us$473 million. the transaction was and tobago, using them to further this translates to a new direction and a finalised on 30th September 2013, with develop the local energy sector and, dramatic broadening of NGC’s horizons economic benefit from 1st January by extension, the nation. beyond its traditional business of natural 2012. the acquisition included total gas marketing and transportation. In E&P Trinidad BV and Elf Exploration the continued successful execution of keeping with this mandate, one of Trinidad BV, two of Total’s subsidiaries the new business model will require the key strategic acquisitions involved that comprise a 30 % working interest becoming more involved in both NGC’s purchase of Conocophillips’ in Block 2(c) and 8.5 % in Block the upstream and the downstream 39% shareholding in Phoenix Park Gas sectors and to start looking outside of processors Limited (ppGpL), a company trinidad and tobago for opportunities which has earned a reputation for strong “The continued to invest in the energy sector. financial performance and operating successful execution this may well necessitate further efficiency and safety. acquisitions. of the new business ppGpL was a joint venture established in Crossing borders: Upstream, 1989. in 2001, NGC divested 20% of its model will require Midstream and Downstream shares in ppGpL to National enterprises becoming more Limited (NeL), an investment holding while NGC has invested in upstream, company operating on behalf of the involved in both midstream and downstream aspects Government of trinidad and tobago. in of the energy value chain, these have 2013, NGC acquired an additional stake the upstream and been limited to trinidad and tobago. in ppGpL, increasing its equity from 51% Currently, NGC is prepared to get to 90% for us$600 million, purchasing the downstream involved not only in local projects the 39% from Conocophillips. today the sectors and to start like the Methanol to dME project but breakdown of equity is 90% owned by also projects outside of trinidad and NGC and the remaining 10% by pan west looking outside of tobago. Of particular interest are the engineers and Constructors inc. continents of North America, south Trinidad and Tobago America and Africa. NGC delivers unprocessed natural gas for opportunities to to ppGpL which extracts the associated Many African countries are finding Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs)—propane, invest in the energy themselves now in a position that butane and natural gasoline—from the trinidad and tobago was in during the gas stream and redelivers cleaner, high- sector.” 1980s. Large hydrocarbon deposits quality residue gas to NGC for distribution are being found but there is an to its customers. Most of the NGLs that absence of infrastructure in place. 3(a), with a production capacity of are produced in the process are exported NGC provided technical services to approximately 15,000 barrels of oil by ppGpL to regional and international tanzania, and in 2012 NGC, National equivalent per day and a gas volume markets. energy and the tanzania petroleum of 220 million standard cubic feet per Development Company signed a day. Block 2(c) is owned in partnership Memorandum of understanding “this step cements NGC’s relationship with BHp Billiton (45% interest) and (Mou) for co-operation between both with ppGpL, a company which has Chaoyang petroleum (25% interest). countries’ energy sectors. in 2013, earned a reputation for strong financial NGC’s partners in Block 3(a) include NGC submitted a bid for a multi- performance, operating efficiency and BHP Billiton, Anadarko and Chaoyang product pipeline between uganda safety,” NGC president, indar Maharaj, petroleum (each with 25.5% interest) and kenya and continues to explore stated confidently as he described this and petrotrin (15% interest). with investment in the united states shale “excellent” deal as an historic one for this purchase, NGC has deepened its gas play. NGC has a significant volume the country. “When we look at the price presence in the upstream business of experience and will be evaluating we paid for it and the strategic and which currently comprises: a 10% investment opportunities seeking to financial returns from it, we know that shareholding in the south east Coast monetise those resources. we got a very good acquisition.” Consortium (seCC), 20% shareholding in trintomar and 15% interest in the Further to this, NGC acquired French Teak-Samaan-Poui (TSP) Block. As a energy giant total’s trinidad and tobago national Company, NGC will keep its

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 5 BuSINESS dEVELOPMENT

NGC will continue to develop downstream involves the accelerated development the change from a local to a global opportunities like the provision of of CNG as a major vehicular fuel in operator will not be without its growing compressed natural gas (CNG) for trinidad and tobago. NGC also has the pains, but NGC of the future will be an transportation, and the supply of gas opportunity to play a pivotal role in organisation that is involved in most of to the light industrial and commercial executing the development of energy the natural gas and energy value chain, sectors on the islands. the CNG initiative projects and infrastructure overseas both in trinidad and tobago as well as is being aggressively pursued by NGC CNG through its wholly owned subsidiary overseas. Company Limited. Approval has been National energy Corporation of trinidad obtained for NGC to invest tt$500 million and tobago Limited. for Phase One of a five-year plan. This

Aerial view of the PPGPL Plant at Point Lisas Industrial Estate.

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S&P Credit Rating of A- for NGC the National Gas Company of trinidad more than three times for the next 12–18 our view of a ‘moderately high’ country and tobago Limited received a Corporate months. in addition, s&p underscored risk, because the Company operates only Credit Rating of A- with a stable outlook, that sources would be higher than uses, in T&T, and the ‘low’ industry risk profile and an A- rating on senior unsecured even if earnings before tax (eBitDA) of the midstream energy sector,” s&p notes from the renowned rating agency declines by 50%. s&p expects NGC’s said. standard & poor’s (s&p), in a rating principal cash uses to include: capital affirmation on February 21. spending of us$400 million for 2014 and in August 2013, the Company became uS$120 million for 2015; working capital the major shareholder in Phoenix Park “We are affirming our ‘A-’ corporate outflow of about uS$200 million in 2014; Gas processors Limited; yet, according credit rating on the Company and and dividend payments of about us$300 to s&p, this did not have any effect on maintaining our assessment of a “very million according to the Company’s the rating: “this acquisition underscores high” likelihood of extraordinary dividend policy of a 50% payout ratio. the Company’s business strategy to government support in the event of further diversify its operations through financial distress.” “We view its operating profitability as new assets across the natural gas value ‘vulnerable’ given its concentration in a chain.” s&p also assessed NGC’s liquidity as single line of business and the inherent ‘exceptional’ based on their view that volatility of natural gas prices. Our sources (of cash) would exceed uses by business risk assessment also incorporates

NGC Signs Agreement with China in February, an historic Memorandum the Group’s principal business is the convert to using CNG,” NGC Chairman, of understanding (Mou) was signed investment in, and the operation Roop Chan Chadeesingh explained to between NGC and the eNN energy and management of, gas pipeline reporters following the signing. “they Group, to cooperate on matters relating infrastructure, vehicle/ship gas have the capacity, the know-how… to the successful implementation refuelling stations, the sales and we have invited them to assess our of NGC’s five-year TT$500 million, distribution of piped gas and LpG. facilities in t&t, to advise us on what is Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) its business activities also consist required to introduce this programme conversion plan. the Mou was signed by of wholesale of gas, the sale of successfully.” NGC Chairman, Roop Chan Chadeesingh gas appliances and equipment, the and eNN Group president, Cheung production of stored-value card gas this agreement follows NGC’s directed Yipsang at a ceremony at the Grand meters and the provision of repair, position of leading the charge in the Hyatt Beijing Hotel, Oriental plaza, maintenance and other services in CNG revolution nationally. On a per Beijing, China. relation to gas distribution. As of the capita basis, trinidad and tobago is the 31st December 2013, the Group’s second highest polluter in the world the Honourable Minister of energy and total coverage of connectable urban after Qatar. Between 2000 and 2009, energy Affairs, kevin Ramnarine, who population in China and overseas reaches its carbon emissions rose from 19 to 36 attended the event, stated that NGC over 70 million, including 134 project metric tonnes per person. Although and the Ministry “could learn a lot from cities in China. these emissions are mostly derived from (eNN)… and help to accelerate the CNG the combustion of petrochemicals, the programme in trinidad.” “it’s more than 30 years now that t&t transport sector produces 3.7 million has been trying to get drivers to convert metric tonnes of greenhouse gases every established in 1989, the eNN energy from diesel and gasoline to CNG. eNN year. this grew exponentially by 278% Group is one of China’s largest operates out of Langfang City (in Hebei between 1990 and 2006. A solution is private companies. it is one of the province), which has a population of needed, and CNG is a cost effective, first privately-owned clean energy 4 million people, and they have been cleaner one. distributors in China. successful in getting the drivers there to

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 7 BuSINESS dEVELOPMENT tHe NeeD FOR A tRANssHipMeNt pORt AND DRY DOCk At BRiGHtON, LA BReA by Marleen Lord-Lewis, VP Operations, National Energy / John Jones, Manager, Business and Technical Support, Operations, National Energy / Thérèse Lee, Graduate Trainee, Business and Technical Support, Operations, National Energy

Globalisation has inevitably resulted in an increase in the transit and trade of goods amongst countries. Additionally, the Panama Canal expansion project will definitely impact vessel traffic within the Caribbean and Latin American region.

rinidad and tobago is This new container port and dry dock In July 2009, the consortium, Grupo strategically located, project is proposed to be situated in the unidos por el Canal was awarded the providing the country with south-western peninsula in La Brea. the contract for the design and expansion of the capability to cater for transshipment port and dry dock will the third set of locks for the Panama Canal tcontainerised cargo from the united cater for the increasing demands and give this contract was valued at us$3.2 billion. states, europe, united kingdom and full play to the regional advantages of Works commenced in August 2009 and are the Far east. Currently, the existing trinidad and tobago. this article provides expected to be completed in 2015. ports in trinidad and tobago possess an overview of transshipment in the inadequate infrastructure to accept region and why there is a need for the Transshipment in the Caribbean larger vessels and are unable to development of a transshipment port and and Latin America exploit locational advantages for cargo dry dock in Trinidad and Tobago. transshipments because of limited the capacity of the panama Canal will capacity. therefore, there is a need The Extension of the Panama Canal be doubled after completion, thereby for the development of trinidad creating a new lane of traffic and and tobago’s existing ports and the the expansion of the panama Canal is one providing allowance for larger ships to creation of new ones. of the major reasons for the development transit. the transshipment port being of new and existing ports in the Caribbean. developed in trinidad and tobago will Many countries in the Caribbean have it is expected that there will be an not be the only transshipment port in the begun development and expansion of increase in activity and the size of the Caribbean and Latin America. their existing ports to accommodate vessels passing through the panama Canal. transshipments and larger vessels. More than one developer and investor has approached National energy Corporation of trinidad and tobago Figure 1: Forecasted volume of containers (Trinidad and Tobago Transshipment Port and Dry Dock Limited (National energy) proposing Project Feasibility Study) a transshipment port to be located at La Brea. this highlights the 4.5 competitiveness for the development Import/Export Transhipment 4.0 of a transshipment port in trinidad and tobago. 3.5 3.0 In January 2014, the Ministry of trade, industry and investment 2.5 (Mtii) requested the services of 2.0 National energy to project manage the construction and development of TEUs (million) 1.5 a transshipment port and dry dock facility. Mtii also sought the services 1.0 of China Harbour engineering Company 0.5 to conduct a feasibility study to justify the project. 0.0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2030

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Many Caribbean countries have begun to Table 1: Transshipment Ports in the Caribbean modify their ports to accommodate the projected increase in the size of vessels and port activity. these countries include Country Port Capacity Draft Development (per year) Plans the Bahamas, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Panama. However, Jamaica Kingston Container Increase in capacity to trinidad and tobago will be the preferred Terminal 2.8 million TEUS 13m 3.2 million TEUS and port of call for energy-based commodities draft depth to 17m such as petrochemicals, metals, aggregate Dominican DP World Caucedo 1.25 million TEUs 13.5m Increase in capacity to and liquefied natural gas. Republic 1.45 million TEUS and draft depth to 16m Table 1 is a summary of some of the Panama Manzanillo 2.4 million TEUs 14.0m existing transshipment ports in the Terminal Caribbean. Panama Colon Container 1.3 million TEUs 14.0m Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama have Terminal plans for developing new transshipment Panama Cristobal 1.0 million TEUs 13.5m- ports. the development plans for existing 15.8m and new ports make it evident that countries in the Caribbean and Latin Bahamas Freeport Container 1.5 million TEUs 15.5m Additional berths and Port increase in capacity America are rapidly making preparations to 6.7 million TEUS for an increase in throughput and vessel size. trinidad and tobago will therefore TEUs - Twenty-foot equivalent units have to anticipate, understand and prepare for the competition which lies ahead. Figure 2: The ship fleet in the world (Trinidad and Tobago Transshipment Port and Dry Dock Dry Docking in the Caribbean and Project Feasibility Study) Latin America 14000 One of the features which will enable bulk dry carriers the proposed port to be unique and more 12000 container carriers marketable than existing and proposed crude oil carriers ports in Latin America and the Caribbean 10000 chemical carriers is the dry dock facility. A dry dock facility general cargo carriers 8000 will be used to conduct ship repair oil carriers LNG tanker services. dry docking facilities in the 6000 proximity of the panama Canal are located in panama, Brazil, Bahamas, suriname and 4000 the united states. the demand for dry docking is greater than the existing dry 2000 docking facilities. Therefore, developing a dry dock facility in Trinidad would cater 0 1995 2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 for such demand. trinidad is situated approximately 2,400 km from the Panama Canal and therefore the dry docking facility can be easily accessed by ships passing and Gulf Coasts, europe, east coast of the volume of import/export through the panama Canal. south America and the Caribbean. containers will have a relatively slower growth rate but the volume of the majority of the united states east and transshipment containers will have a Gulf coast ports do not have the water Market and Throughput Forecast for Trinidad and Tobago relatively faster growth (See Figure 1 depths to accommodate post-panamax of pg.8). vessels. A transshipment port facility in trinidad will therefore cater for these it is expected that the container the future demand for ship repair vessels, and presents an opportunity to throughput of trinidad and tobago’s services is difficult to predict but its develop an import and distribution centre. ports will increase due to an anticipated growth will have a direct relationship The key markets that the transshipment increase in import and export demand to the growth of the world fleet. hub will serve are the united states east and planned government projects.

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The world fleet increased from 3,394 vessels in 2000 to 39,248 vessels in 2012 as shown in Figure 2 of pg.9. it is anticipated that the large number of vessels and the strong demand for new vessels will increase the natural demand for ship repair and maintenance services.

Project Status in preparation for meeting the challenges of expansion and increasing our national economic opportunity, a feasibility study for the transshipment and dry dock project was conducted by China Harbour engineering Company Limited. that study was completed in mid- February 2014. the feasibility study has shown that the location of the facilities is acceptable (See Figure 3). Further works with respect to environmental and oceanographic studies are to be conducted. if these studies prove acceptable and a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CeC) is obtained, construction of the facility will start shortly afterwards. in March 2014, an application was lodged with town and Country planning Division (tCpD) for permission to develop the transshipment port and dry dock facility. In addition, an application for a CeC was made in the same month. A draft term of reference has been obtained from the environmental Management Authority (eMA) and has been distributed for comments and feedback.

Conclusion the development of a transshipment port and dry dock will be advantageous to Trinidad and tobago. there is an anticipated increase in vessel size, which is due to the panama Canal expansion and trending increase in port throughput. the dry dock facility will cater for market segments which are not appropriately serviced currently. the project is expected to increase foreign direct investment and provide sustainable employment opportunities and spin-off industries for not only La Brea and environs, but for the country as a Figure 3: Sketch of the proposed location of The Transshipment Port and Dry whole. Dock Facility at the LABIDCO Estate which was submitted by China Harbour Engineering.

ReFeReNCes: Trinidad and Tobago Date: February 2014 Services Ltd. to National Panama Canal Expansion Transshipment Port and Dry title of Report: trinidad and Energy) Programme – September 2013 Dock Project Feasibility Study tobago transshipment port and Author: Martin Associates (Magazine) – China Harbour Engineering dry dock Project Feasibility Year: 2013 Author: panama Canal Authority Company Limited (Report study title of Report: Feasibility Date: september 2013 submitted by the Ministry of of the Development of a Name of Magazine: “panama Trade, Industry and Investment Feasibility of the Development transshipment Hub Canal expansion programme – to National Energy) of a Transshipment Hub – september 2013” Author: China Harbour Martin Associates (Report engineering Company Limited submitted by LABIDCO Port 10 COMMuNitY

BeYOND tHe BOuNDARY NGC’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme seeks to partner with communities throughout the country.

he National Gas Company of environment, the arts and sciences, as “the programme is quite large and trinidad and tobago Limited well as the country’s infrastructure, encompasses sponsorship of police (NGC) recognises that many through grassroots partnership youth clubs and steel orchestras; cricket of the socio-economic needs programmes in communities far and and track and field; NGC Sanfest; NGC tcan be understood and met through wide, from Beetham Gardens to Moruga, Bocas Lit Fest, as well as construction collaborative, effective, community- port of spain to san Fernando, Laventille of facilities in communities across based initiatives that enable and Road to Rousillac. trinidad and tobago to enrich public and empower. in 1992, NGC appreciated community life.” that there was a need to invest its “the Company’s Corporate social profits in the sustainable development investment (Csi) programme falls under She added that by “adhering to fixed of the country’s communities and so the the themes of Civic Life, sport and focus areas and geographic spread, we Corporate social Responsibility (CsR) empowerment,” as Ms. wynda Chandler, have been able to make meaningful programme was established. Head of Community Relations at NGC contributions for the benefit of both explained recently. local communities and the wider national the programme focuses on the strategic community.” development of education, sport, the

Education

“education plays a major role in civic life and the development of our communities and at NGC we are committed to promoting national education at all levels,” NGC president, indar Maharaj explained, expanding on the educational initiatives the Company has embarked upon over the years. these include helping primary and secondary schools to establish libraries, computer labs, acquire photocopiers or public address systems, as well as supporting music programmes. the Company also sponsors technical and vocational skills training as well as the NGC/NiHeRst National science Centre which promotes scientific awareness in a fun and engaging manner and continues to take part in its major NGC Employee, Dexter Joseph, quizzes students participating in the “Race Along The activities, including the popular Pipeline” game, which proved very popular at the 2013 NIHERST’s SciTechKnoFest. biennial scitechknoFest.

At the tertiary level, NGC signed an years with an option to renew. the NGC provided financial support to historic Mou with the university of Research Awards at the university of the institute of engineering at the st. the west indies (uwi), st. Augustine the west indies, st Augustine Campus, Augustine Campus. for a professorial chair in innovation was described by Mr. Maharaj as “a and entrepreneurship in 2012. the continuation of a long and fruitful Over the years, NGC has sponsored initial period of assistance is for five partnership” which began in 1994 when several major activities and projects at

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 11 Community

uwi: from 2001 to 2003 NGC provided conceptualised by renowned Olympian press conference at the Queen’s Park an annual grant to the Bsc petroleum and NGC coordinator, Hasely Crawford Oval, that NGC has been a sponsor of Geoscience programme; from 2005 to tC, has seen the emergence of a better local cricket for the past three years, 2007 the Company gave $300,000 each cadre of track and field athletes. investing over tt$10 million. During year to the Graduate and Research the last term of the sponsorship, the Fund; in 2010 NGC was the main Recently, the Company donated tt$13 funds were allocated to a variety of sponsor for the uwi’s Conference on million to the development of local initiatives including the preparation of the economy (COte); NGC has also been cricket over the next three years. In the national team for the Champions a regular contributor to the university’s January, Vice-President of Human League, as well as the domestic t20 Development and endowment Fund; and and Corporate Relations, Cassandra and Zonal cricket. The subsequent in 2013 sponsored the uwi Research patrovani sylvester, explained during a arrangement is for a disbursement of expo, which is part of the innovation and entrepreneurship initiative.

In the Community

Thinking along similar lines of engagement and sustainability, wynda Chandler added that “the CsR initiatives mirror our business focus on sustainability, as projects are chosen which can shape lives for the long-term. in this regard, we do not see ourselves as benefactors, but as partners, who add our resources to those of the recipient in such a way that we can both make a difference—the concept of shared value for the Company and its multiple stakeholders.” she also highlighted some initiatives that have directly impacted Mr. Azim Bassarath, President TTCB, Mrs. Cassandra Patrovani Sylvester, VP Human communities; some memorable ones and Corporate Relations, NGC and Mr. Alec Burns Chairman of the TTCB Seclection include the facilities programme Committee greet at the TTCB sponsorship announcement press conference. which saw the restoration of a community centre in Guayaguayare and regenerated several activities in the community. in addition to hosting social activities at the venue, the centre is also used for teaching purposes. similarly, in La Brea, the provision of a new, state-of-the-art home for the aged “brought joy to many senior citizens and provided live-in accommodation for the elderly, as well as skills practice and training for On-the-Job Trainees (OJTs) from the Geriatric Assistance partnership programme (GApp)”.

Sport

NGC’s support for the development of sport through its Right On Track coaching caravan, not just in the major cities but also in outlying villages, NGC-sponsored T20 cricket in action!

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tt$4.45 million annually from 2014 to she also explained that funds will “we are very fortunate indeed that NGC 2016. be allocated to provide training for has come on board with us for another promising young cricketers at the three years. we have done a lot of “As a Company that has been National Academy and continued work and there is still much to be done particularly interested in youth support for the Grassroots Development and having such a successful partner in development over the years, we were programme. the 142 clubs that NGC, can only lead to better things,” especially excited that a portion of comprise the seven zones in trinidad and president of the ttCB, Azim Bassarat our sponsorship funds went to support the 12 clubs in the tobago Zone are also said. “we at the ttCB are eagle-eyed the ttCB’s Grassroots Development in line to receive subventions to cover and (are) willing to get involved with the programme, which helps to bring good their activities and expenses. government in doing our part through coaching, equipment and playing areas cricket to help rid this country of its to young enthusiasts throughout our The recently concluded NGC T20 Cricket social ills. Cricket and sport on the communities.” Festival was highly successful, with the whole are an important tool in helping Queen’s Park Cricket Club team walking with social transformation and the ttCB away with the Festival Crown. stands ready to do its part.”

Reforestation perhaps one of the most successful environmental projects is inextricably linked to the development of the energy industry. NGC believes the environment forms part of our national heritage, and in 2006, the Reforestation programme was launched on the heels of the commissioning of the Cross island pipeline, which runs for almost 77 kilometres across the south of the island, from Beachfield to . under the Certificate of Environmental Clearance for the Cross island pipeline Project and Beachfield upstream Development (BuD) projects, there was a requirement for 105 hectares to be reforested. However, NGC made it a priority to surpass this by implementing a “no net loss of forest resource” policy and before embarking on a programme to reforest an additional 210 hectares in the Morne L’enfer Forest. the locations chosen for the initiative were selected by the Forestry Division and listed as critically degraded areas with mainly secondary type forests remaining. these six areas lie adjacent to our 75 km 56-inch-diameter pipeline corridor extending from Guayaguayare in the east to point Fortin in the west, with the largest parcel being in the Morne L’enfer Forest. in all, therefore, 315 hectares of degraded forest will be reforested in this Pipeline laying works during the construction community-based programme. NGC’s ‘no net loss’ commitment: phase necessitates that NGC reforests.

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 13 Community

By the end of 2012, over 143 hectares such, the programme includes ongoing were replanted with nearly 32,000 tending and fire patrols in the re- seedlings. forested areas and seedlings that do not survive are systematically replaced. Field audit assessments have been conducted annually to determine In keeping with NGC’s community the survival rates of the planted engagement policy, maximum seedlings. these audits have revealed participation from communities a consistently higher survival rate than affected by the programme is sought. the 80% benchmark set by the Forestry For instance, community groups were Division, attaining as much as 91% in formed to carry out planting, tendering, some areas. Each seedling takes several fire tracking and monitoring to help years of care and monitoring before it is generate revenue and employment for strong enough to withstand natural and the local communities. man-made disturbance on its own. As

Progress Report: NGC personnel get an update from Morne L’Enfer reforestation site workers.

Festivals screenings, NGC was happy to get the involvement of residents of satellite NGC has been instrumental in districts who, owing to their distance promoting emerging festivals, including from Movietowne—the hub of the the National Junior Arts Festival Festival—may have found difficulty in (sanFest) with which NGC initiated a attending screenings. NGC is also happy partnership in 2003, the trinidad and to involve its employee volunteers tobago Film Festival (ttff), as well who serve as hosts in the various as the NGC Bocas Lit Fest, which has communities.” grown in scope and size since 2011.

The latter five-day literary event, which includes workshops, discussions Storyteller Felix Edinborough at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest and readings, has been attended and lauded by internationally acclaimed writers including , , , Caryl phillips, and Marina Warner, to name just a few. the 2014 OCM Bocas prize winner, novelist Robert Antoni, defined the award as “necessary” and added that “it’s up to us in the Caribbean to decide who we are, to take a place on the world stage.”

NGC has been a supporting sponsor of the ttff since 2009. Another highly successful community based programme has been the ttff Community Cinema series. in 2011, the Company began sponsoring community screenings throughout trinidad and tobago, and the response has been overwhelming.

Ms. Chandler highlighted that “with the introduction in 2011 of community An NGC Sanfest Highlight Performance

14 Community

Revolutionary Road

For Ms. Chandler, the greatest reward for leading these multi-faceted, diverse projects can be found daily, in some of the most unlikely places.

“without meaning to sound trite, my greatest satisfaction comes from feedback from members of communities in which NGC has provided a facility, or from a school teacher whose school benefited from some much-needed item to assist in educating the children.” in 2013, the graduation ceremony of NGC’s Capacity Building programme for members of two La Brea community organisations, the La Brea police Youth Club, the NGC La Brea Nightingales steel Orchestra, as well as eight members The dynamic performances of members of of the Community police unit of the the Police Youth Clubs wowed the audience trinidad and tobago police service, was a at its recent Launch in April 2014. memorable one.

NGC operates from the principle that while funding is essential, knowledge is transformational. the ultimate goal is to improve people’s lives, or rather, to give them the tools they need to improve their own lives which is the essence of sustainability.

For the CsR team members, the trend towards transformation has begun to take root and can only grow rapidly for both partners. As trinidadian journalist and acclaimed intellectual, CLR James, once said, “it is in revolutionary periods that the culmination of previous trends and the beginning of new ones appear.”

A cross-section of the Capacity Building Graduation Ceremony for La Brea Police Youth Club, NGC La Brea Nightingales Steel Orchestra and members of the Community Police Unit.

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 15 OuR HuMAN ResOuRCe

twO HR pROGRAMMes LAuNCH New OppORtuNities At NGC BuiLDiNG tALeNt

Vice-President Cassandra Patrovani Sylvester has a challenge—in the next decade, over 100 members of staff will retire from one of the leading energy companies in the country, the National Gas Company of trinidad and tobago Limited (NGC).

his comes as no surprise to British American tobacco (Caribbean NGC has an annual intake of management nor to patrovani and Central America) and, earlier as undergraduate students for its two- sylvester, as strategic plans Group executive, Human Resources month internship programme. these have been put in train to and Corporate Communications at One interns are exposed to the world of tmanage this transition. in fact, as Caribbean Media Limited (OCM). she work and the energy business sector. Vice President of Human Resources and has worked extensively with local and Corporate Relations at NGC, she realises international enterprises in the areas two new HR initiatives have been that with these challenges come several of strategic planning, performance welcomed by staff: the postgraduate opportunities, including a chance to Management, succession planning, scholarship programme and the harness knowledge and information Change Management, Corporate Business upstream Development (BuD) from some of the industry’s leading Relations and Communications, Graduate internship programme. Both minds. in a recent interview, she Leadership Development and offer employees an opportunity to explained that this is not a “localised Organisational transformation. she is a enhance their skill-set and expertise but global challenge and one which NGC Fellow, Life Management institute and through academic and hands-on is prepared for and ready to meet.” holder of a diploma in Marketing and training. postgraduate Diploma in Organisational “this has to be a global challenge, Behaviour from the university of the postgraduate scholarship includes: this rate of change. And it’s all about London. tuition, books, a laptop, airfare, re-tooling and resourcing. it’s an accommodation and living expenses opportunity to share the knowledge training has always been a priority at for study at leading universities in within the organisation, to teach the NGC. the personal and professional scotland, the core of the uk’s oil and and mentor new people—it’s like an development of employees has gas industry. while NGC’s Business exchange,” she added. “Our approach been buttressed by an overarching, upstream Development (BuD) Graduate is a holistic one—at NGC we have an modernised human resource internship programme 2014 offers ageing workforce. We have a situation development strategy and system. graduate internship opportunities where in the next ten years about 150 employees will retire.”

“the organisation is a living being, a living system and we have to inculcate the mindset that when i leave i will take that capacity, so that every employee at NGC now has to want to share a part of their past with others, to leave a legacy.” patrovani sylvester joined the organisation in January 2013 and brings over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and Corporate Relations, having worked as Senior Human Resources Business partner, Annually, undergraduate interns are oriented into the world of work.

16 OuR HuMAN ResOuRCe

experience was a “good one” but suggested some modifications to the structure of the programme, including reducing the training period from two years to perhaps six months and developing a comprehensive schedule of procedures for each department.

“the ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have,” wrote renowned author of ‘Lean In’ and Facebook Chief Operating Officer, sheryl sandberg. And this is one lesson that has been embraced by staff throughout the NGC Group. patrovani sylvester wants her legacy to be one of personal leadership and a memorable NGC Scholarship Winners: Melissa Diaz (NGC), Victoria Persad (NGC) experience for all employees. and Tamara Gildharry (National Energy) and Francis Martinez (NGC).

“i have one word—experience. the to nationals of trinidad and tobago outside of trinidad and tobago and an experience our employees have—i want through a career development understanding of the energy sector as a to have people breaking down the doors programme. this programme is whole.” to get in because this is the best place designed for young professionals, who have recently graduated from recognised and accredited universities and tertiary education institutions, “Our approach is a holistic one—at NGC we with degrees that are relevant to the have an ageing workforce. We have a situation Company’s business. where in the next ten years about 150 For Melissa Diaz, a Commercial employees will retire.” Analyst in the Commercial Group at NGC, “being a part of the scholarship programme offered by NGC is one of Other awardees included: Francis to work. If they do make the decision the best opportunities for any young Martinez, surveyor ii, Geospatial to come here, each one should leave citizen of trinidad and tobago.” she is information services Department, here better, because you grew…you one of four employees to be awarded a technical services Group at NGC who learnt personal leadership. NGC is a full postgraduate scholarship and chose gained a full postgraduate scholarship place where that can happen.” to pursue a Master of science Degree towards a Master of science Degree in energy studies at the university of in Oil and Gas engineering at Robert At NGC, a recurring theme is expansion Dundee, scotland. Gordon university, Aberdeen; Victoria into the global energy sector as we persad, an Accounting technician in seek opportunities both within T&T “The university of dundee is like many the Finance Division at NGC, who was and overseas. initiatives such as the other universities that offer a Master’s awarded a full postgraduate scholarship BuD and scholarship programmes, programme relating to the energy in Law LLM petroleum taxation and are geared towards providing our sector and exposes students to the real Finance at the university of Dundee; employees with international issues that occur in the energy sector and tamara Gildharry, a Graduate experience and exposure. to be a and the necessary skills to apply in Trainee in the Office of the President valued partner in the global energy dealing with them. the course does not at National energy, who won a full business, we cannot only make financial only entail examinations, but it allows postgraduate scholarship towards investments but also ensure NGC’s students to do research on an area of pursuing a Master of science Degree talent is well equipped to hold their interest in the energy sector.” in energy studies at the university of own on the international playing field. Dundee. she added that she would recommend the programme to “any young person Siara Sant O’Reilly took part in the with a keen interest in the energy graduate trainee programme of a sector” as it provides “not only mentoring initiative that is currently knowledge, but exposure to the world being refined. She said that her

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 17 sAFetY

by Antonia Lucky, Corporate Lead, tHe NGC eCO-pHOeNix CLuB environment, Health and safety, NGC

driven to make a difference, these NGC pioneers take the lead as environmental stewards and inspire generations to care for our world.

today’s environmental challenges are different from those of yesteryear. the National Gas Company’s environment, Health and safety (eHs) Department strongly believes that to solve the toughest problems, it is necessary to listen to environmental stakeholders in order to find common ground. The only way to help save our nation’s precious environment is by getting all hands on deck and working together. Therefore, the NGC eco-phoenix Club aims to bring about lasting and positive environmental change through constructive engagement with those closest to the problem, thereby becoming part of the solution. in a world driven by global commerce, one cannot ignore the environmental footprints of oil, gas and associated petrochemical The NGC Eco-Phoenix Club operates on an “all- corporations. By partnering with others we can find solutions that benefit inclusive” approach whereby ideas are solicited everyone, in the field of educational and encouraged from the wider Company awareness and environmental best practices. Hence, the birth and creation membership through the intranet portal. of the NGC eco-phoenix Club. with a vision established by the eHs Department, the group is poised to make profound improvements to the environment throughout the period 2008 to present the passion and dedication exhibited and human health of not just our NGC day, the NGC eco-phoenix team ensured by the NGC eco-phoenix team has environs, but our country as a whole. that NGC as a corporate citizen, been acknowledged and commended promoted best practices and values of by fellow member companies on the The Pioneers environmental stewardship, amongst pt. Lisas estate, NGC staff and several our contractors, visitors, employees school principals. the NGC eco-phoenix Club was launched and their family as well as friends. on world environment Day 2008 in the Club’s members share the vision successful eco-phoenix Activities response to the organisation’s need and mission of the eco team Leads: over the years include but are not for a paradigm shift with respect to its a desire to see NGC’s environmental limited to: Daily Recycle initiatives environmental culture. the group is led values soar as a priority, moving the inclusive of paper, plastic bottles, by members of the NGC eHs Department, Company upwards and onwards, in glass, toner cartridges and fluorescent with elana thompson and Abiola Mc Cree a global setting, towards energising bulbs; Monthly newsletters; Quarterly serving as co-team leaders. the group has everyone they interact with, via Recycle Drives inclusive of electronic over 300 members and membership is open their activities and to be mentors based items; Annual National Beach to past and present NGC employees, their on best environmental practices and families and friends of NGC. management.

18 sAFetY

Clean-ups and turtle Nesting tours; Annual The Rhythms of Life, Voices of Nature desire to assist the Turtle Village world environment Day celebrations; concert was a true celebration of the trust in the reconstruction of interactions with schools (both primary beauty of the cultures and the wonders an environmentally-enhanced and secondary); Donning of employees in of the natural world of trinidad and boardwalk. eco-phoenix branded attire; Distribution tobago through song, dance, story, of Eco-Phoenix branded tokens; and costumes and special images. As it relates to the Club’s benefits expanding employees’ environmental the concert activities were performed to NGC, the NGC eco-phoenix knowledge and awareness by facilitating by members of Arts Alive tobago Club truly lives the mission and hikes, guest lectures and in-house displays. Jubilation Choir, the Arts Alive Women’s vision of the Company’s eHs ensemble, the Arts Alive tobago policy statement, which includes Engaging Our Communities Children’s performing Company, and environmental management and selected guest soloists, actors and preservation of the environment. through the NGC eco-phoenix dancers. the NGC attendees also environmental competitions and activities appreciated the differently abled Team-players held with schools such as Holy Name persons who were part of the ensemble Convent, Mafeking Government Primary group, and whose participation truly The Eco-Phoenix Team Leads keep school, Holy Faith Convent, Couva, Miracle embodied the spirit of equality and abreast of environmental issues Ministries pentecostal High school, penal inclusion. via attendance at AMCHAM Hsse and savonetta primary. the NGC eco- Conferences, Carbon Footprint phoenix Club positively impacted and in March 2014, the eco-phoenix Club Management Conferences and impressed upon them the role they could also supported another non-profit Green energy Conferences. play in sustainable development and organisation, the Turtle Village environmental management at home, trust. this time they provided Four eco-phoenix team members school and at the national level. equipment and sponsored support currently sit on the National services to the trust and the village of environmental technical the NGC eco-phoenix Club even partnered Fishing pond, sangre Grande. their Committees, namely the MeeA for a year with Miracle Ministries High second Annual Beach Clean-up was Hydrocarbon and Chemical school, the winners of the enviro Buzz highly successful. the Fishing pond Committee and the MeeA National Competition in 2012. they assisted the Beach is one of the three national Oil spill plan Committee. through school’s environmental Club in achieving protected turtle nesting beaches in these committees, the eco- some of their goals which included trinidad. unfortunately, access to this Phoenix members significantly participating in a national beach clean-up, popular turtle nesting site has been contribute to our nation’s witnessing turtle nesting, broadening the compromised by the destruction of the environmental development. they students’ knowledge of local wildlife and boardwalk. The Club has expressed a are also involved in managing the of course, initiating a recycling programme at the school. in October 2013, Arts Alive tobago, a registered not-for-profit association, whose aim is to foster knowledge, excellence, empowerment and unity through the performing arts, requested financial sponsorship from NGC to assist with their Rhythms of Life, Voices of Nature concert. However, NGC was unable to assist as a corporate entity, so the eco- phoenix Club stepped in to assist.

As this entertainment production was environmentally focused and geared towards educational purposes for all patrons, the NGC Eco-Phoenix Club took the helm in assisting with the sponsorship and graciously purchased 150 tickets and offered them to NGC staff and their families. The NGC Eco-Phoenix Club’s recycle bins at Head Office.

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 19 sAFetY

Enviro Buzz Winners, Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School, with Team Leaders of The NGC Eco-Phoenix Club. environmental Management Audit study An all-inclusive club at Beachfield. the NGC eco-phoenix Club operates on the team’s successful completion an “all-inclusive” approach whereby of their project activities stands ideas are solicited and encouraged from as testimony of their consistent the wider Company membership through demonstration of collaboration. their the intranet portal. the eco-phoenix cohesiveness has stood the test of time portal is testimony of the successes from their installation on 5th June 2008 these collaborative efforts have to today. Membership continues to produced; from planning to execution, increase to not only include NGC staff members of the group work together and family members, but also National for the best interest of the Club and its energy employees, as well as new members. members from throughout the nation via their Facebook page. the NGC eco-phoenix Club upholds integrity and transparency in all the team meets monthly to plan their it does and has ensured employee events and holds post-mortems to buy-in and support with Company ensure lessons learnt. Recommendations environmental initiatives and projects, are made for better cohesion of the for example, the recycling drive. this Club and to expand the variety of is a benefit of national interest as experiences being offered through their Trinidad and Tobago seeks to become events. an environmentally conscious nation, corporate citizen and recycling country. The Club’s Hike to Double River Falls

20 sAFetY

By partnering with others we can find solutions that benefit everyone, in the field of educational awareness and environmental best practices.

The NGC Eco-Phoenix Club prepared for International Coastal Clean- up activities at Station Beach, La Brea.

it can also be noted that the responses both work and club duties. Each team We work with other environmental from employees, with regard to member gives more than 100% towards groups, of course—but that’s not enough, recycling, have increased exponentially. both their activities for the Club and so the NGC eco-phoenix Club is always on towards NGC’s corporate standards, the lookout for the next environmental All team members have priority which assures the sustainability and buzz or natural heritage landscape approaches to managing their NGC work longevity of the NGC eco-phoenix Club. upon the horizon to visit, embrace and as well as the team’s activities. they do appreciate with our fellow eco lovers. this successfully without compromising we can’t do it alone! the eco-phoenix their individual performance contract Club continues to succeed by tapping into deliverables or time dedicated towards the knowledge and influence of others.

An all-inclusive club: The Club engages NGC’s employees and their children, as well as various environmental stakeholders in its Eco-initiatives.

The Club’s Hike to Double River Falls

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 21 NGC News

Nigerian Study Tour of T&T in May 2014, a visiting delegation from in addition to NGC, the delegation also Distribution (Ag.) and Merlyn Rennie- the National Defence College, Abuja, visited other state energy agencies Browne, Vice President, Energy Industry Nigeria, conducted a Geo-strategic including petrotrin, pLipDeCO, NesC and Development, National energy, both of tour of trinidad and tobago. the study Lake Asphalt. whom presented an Overview of NGC and tour, which examined ‘Oil and National National energy, respectively. the trip Development in trinidad and tobago: the visit, which was hosted by the NGC concluded with a comprehensive tour of Lessons Learned for Nigeria’, was focused external Communications Department, the point Lisas industrial estate. on generating interaction by visiting also featured presentations which were major stakeholders in the local Energy facilitated by Tickaram Roopchandsingh, and Defence sectors. Vice President, Gas Transmission and

Acting VP of Gas Transmission and Distribution, Tickaram Roopchandsingh greets members of the Nigerian Defense College delegation in May 2014.

Members of the Nigerian Defense College delegation listen attentively to the presentation.

22 nGC neWs

NGC & UWI partner for Research Expo thousands of university and secondary school students, researchers and members of the general public attended the university of the west indies (uwi), st Augustine Campus Research expo in October 2013. the multi-faceted event, which was hosted by NGC and uwi, featured interactive displays, a symposium on research, enterprise and impact, film screenings, concerts, over 30 mini-workshops, as well as The uWI Marketplace and Kids Fun Park.

Speaking at the official launch of The uWI Research Expo at the Office of the Campus Principal, Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Clement Sankat, uWI Campus principal, promised that the expo would be “informative, engaging, exciting and memorable.” Students try their hand on the national instrument at the UWI Research Expo. “I would also like to thank the National Gas Company of trinidad and tobago for their generous sponsorship of our Research expo 2013. NGC has demonstrated to trinidad and tobago that they value research and scholarship in advancing a society.” the uwi Research expo launched with a day filled with everything chocolate, at the Cocoa Research Centre’s hosting of world Chocolate Day at the JFK Auditorium. The next day, the symposium on Research, enterprise and impact was held at the Learning Resource Centre, which featured presentations and panel discussions from leading uwi researchers. the exhibit at the JFK Auditorium and Quadrangle showcased interactive displays including experiments by the Faculties and units. Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Clement Sankat, UWI Principal, meets and greets students. A wide range of free mini-workshops were also held at the Campus, providing unique, hands-on learning opportunities to members of the public: from survey conducted by the principal’s steelpan tutorials to understanding 4G office was highly positive, with many Networks, Chinese Business Etiquette, participants agreeing that they found as well as Renewable energy Application the event to be informative and workshops, to name just a few. An exit innovative.

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 23 National energy News

New Brand for National Energy

A key member of The National Gas Company of trinidad and tobago Limited Group launched a new modern brand image at the Hyatt Regency trinidad. with this brand renewal, the legal name National Energy’s new logo of the National energy Corporation of trinidad and tobago will remain, regionally and internationally. with invited stakeholders to embrace the however the logo focuses on the a staff of 120, National energy has new brand identity, saying that the new abbreviated name of National energy. been focused on meeting its goals and image together with National energy’s objectives and exploring investments in focused objectives “will ensure that National energy is ready and able to The new brand personifies the Africa and Guyana-suriname basin. take Trinidad and Tobago along a path of Company’s mandate to actively pursue sustainable development and growth.” energy based projects, as well as marine In his opening remarks, President of and logistics business opportunities, National Energy, dr. Vernon Paltoo,

The NEC Pioneer and NEC Voyager New Vessels Commissioned

The NEC Voyager and NEC Pioneer are infrastructure, marine and logistics industrial estate,” Chairman Roop the two seafaring vessels recently business outside of t&t, with particular Chan Chadeesingh stated. National commissioned by National energy. focus on the Guyanese-suriname basin energy has focused on the regional and the two impressive tugs were built and Africa. international energy landscape. “these in singapore and China, respectively, discussions are directly linked to the bringing to nine the number of seafaring “Currently National energy is advancing government’s decision to diversify the vessels operated by the Company. project development with global energy sector by finding innovative multinational companies such as ways to produce secondary and tertiary National Energy President, dr. Vernon the Mitsubishi Corporation with the derivatives of oil and gas.” paltoo, explained that the Company intention of establishing downstream is actively pursuing energy-based energy-based plants at union

24 NAtiONAL eNeRGY News

National Energy’s President Dr. Vernon Paltoo presents a cheque to the UWI’s Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Brian Copeland.

Investing in the future: Rewards for Engineering students

Cheques Presented by National engineering field over the next three to of the west indies (uwi), st Augustine Energy President five years. He added that this support Campus, to recognise and reward stellar of engineering university students Msc petroleum engineering students. in a symbolic handing over ceremony at represents a small part of the Company’s the university of the west indies (uwi), overall commitment to securing trinidad the Company sponsored three prizes. two st Augustine Campus, National energy and tobago’s development of the energy were awarded to Naline Rambaran for President dr. Vernon Paltoo presented sector. the Best All-Round part-time student and two cheques in the sum of $50,000.00 for developing the Best Msc petroleum and $120,000.00 to the Dean of the Rewards for Engineering Students engineering project. kavita Ramnarine- Faculty of engineering, professor Brian Ramsawak also received award for the Copeland. Dr. paltoo also explained National Energy has a keen focus on Best Msc Coastal engineering project. that this represents the Company’s supporting education initiatives. the commitment to sponsoring prizes for Company was pleased to partner with the the best individual performances in the Faculty of engineering at the university

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 25 LABiDCO News

Stakeholder Engagement the La Brea industrial Development industrial estates in March 12th 2014. Vulnerability Assessments and Plan Study. Company Limited (LABiDCO) is the meeting focused on updating it was also an opportunity for LABiDCO responsible for the management of tenants on the operations at La Brea to receive feed-back from the tenants both the La Brea industrial and the industrial estate and port, union on matters affecting them. union industrial estates. through the industrial estate and the port of company’s core business responsibilities, Brighton. LABiDCO recognizes the importance LABiDCO facilitates and supports of Stakeholder Engagement to the National energy’s project development included in the session was the operations of both the La Brea and initiatives in La Brea. company’s Community involvement the union industrial estates. it intends and employee engagement programme to continue engagement of its key in support of National energy’s for 2014 which focuses on “Building stakeholders as the company works initiatives to actively promote trinidad Capacity Minimizing Risk.” National towards improving its level of service in and tobago’s energy brand, LABiDCO energy also shared with the tenants all of its business areas. facilitated the first stakeholder the security framework that has been engagement meeting of 2014 with developed for the estates. this includes tenants of the La Brea and union Security Vulnerability and Port Security

The Port of Brighton, La Brea Industrial Estate

26 ONe MOMeNt pLeAse

... to reflect on the beauty that surrounds us here in Trinidad and Tobago.

photo: NGC Archives

The beautiful coastline of Columbus Point where NGC’s pipeline makes landfall and extends to the Cove Eco-Industrial and Business Park (CEIBP) in Tobago. NGC used Horizontal directional drilling (Hdd) to ensure minimal impact on the coral reef to preserve this picturesque view.

GAsCO News / JuNE 2014 27 Orinoco Drive, point Lisas industrial estate, Couva Republic of trinidad and tobago, w.i. p.O. Box 1127, port of spain. tel: 868-636-4662, 4680; Fax: 868-679-2384 email: [email protected] website: www.ngc.co.tt