The Role of the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries

The MEEI is responsible for the overall management of the oil, gas and minerals sectors in Trinidad and Tobago.  These sectors are the largest single contributors to the GDP of the country and the revenues generated provide the resources for the future development objectives of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. 

The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries is responsible for monitoring, controlling and regulating the energy and mineral sectors of Trinidad and Tobago.  Its early years began in 1904 when the Mines Department was established to manage Manjak production. In 1948 the Mines Department was re-designated the Petroleum Department.

In June 1963, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mines was established. Since then there has been eight name changes with slight changes in ministerial responsibility. As the energy sector expanded so have the roles and functions of the Ministry.

Today, the Ministry operates a range of activities including:

• Leasing and/or licensing of areas for petroleum exploration and production
• Regulation and management of all oil and gas development activities
• Regulation and management of upstream operations in oil refining activities
• Administration of domestic marketing of petroleum products, natural gas transmission/sales, petrochemical manufacture and other natural gas based industries
• Formulation and implementation of legal instruments for the petroleum industry
• Acquisition, analysis and dissemination of both local and international petroleum information
• Sharing responsibility with the Ministry of Finance for the collection of petroleum revenues accruing to the State
• Representation of the interests of Trinidad and Tobago at international petroleum fora and institutions
• Long term planning, development and implementation of policy initiatives in the petroleum sector.
• Sharing of the management of the State's interests and assets in the oil and gas industry
• Sharing responsibility for the administration and management of the minerals sector.

VISION 2020

In keeping pace with the demands of the ever evolving energy industry and changing energy environment, this Government has defined some basic roles and core values for itself in the achievement of the country’s vision 2020, for the overall management of the oil, gas and minerals sectors:

• Leveraging the energy sector to create conditions for long-term development
• To gain for Trinidad and Tobago an economic competitive advantage
• To set and maintain core values for the energy sector