Caribbean Journey
Guyana Just Brokered a Deal to Restart Trinidad's Dead Refinery… Caribbean Will Never Be the Same
In 1940, the Allied forces classified one Caribbean refinery as an asset to be "protected at all cost." It powered the fighter planes that won the Battle of Britain. For 101 years, the Petrotrin refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre was the beating heart of Trinidad and Tobago's economy and the sole supplier of refined fuel to the entire Caribbean region.
Then in November 2018, it was shut down. 5,500 workers lost their jobs. Communities collapsed. And the Caribbean lost its only major functioning refinery.
Now, eight years later, Guyana — a country that didn't produce a single barrel of oil before 2019 — is brokering a deal worth up to $200 million US to bring the refinery back to life. At the 5th Guyana Energy Conference in Georgetown, Trinidad's Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal confirmed that Guyana's President Irfaan Ali personally facilitated introductions to Saudi investors and regional banking institutions to finance the restart.
This documentary explores the full story — from the refinery's World War II origins, to the controversial shutdown driven by TT$12 billion in debt and massive cost overruns, to the emerging Guyana-Trinidad energy axis that could reshape how the entire Caribbean produces, refines, and distributes fuel. We examine what this means for CARICOM's 15 member states, the region's crippling fuel import dependency, and the geopolitical forces — including Saudi capital, US support, and ExxonMobil's $60 billion Guyana investment — converging on one of the most significant energy deals the Caribbean has seen in decades.
Guyana is no longer just an oil producer. It is becoming the Caribbean's energy dealmaker. And this refinery restart could mark the beginning of something the region has never had — true energy independence.
Do you think this deal will actually work? Which Caribbean country stands to benefit the most? Drop your answer in the comments — we read every single one.
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SOURCES:
• Demerara Waves Online News — "Guyana assisting T&T to source funding for Petrotrin refinery revival" (February 20, 2026)
• The Caribbean Camera — "Guyana Opens Funding Path for T&T's Petrotrin" (February 25, 2026)
• Jamaica Observer — "Trinidad and Tobago remains optimistic about Guyana's help in restarting refinery" (February 23, 2026)
• Trinidad Guardian — "Refinery restart talks spark excitement, hope in south Trinidad" (March 2026)
• Trinidad Guardian — "Refinery restart on agenda as Moonilal heads to Guyana" (February 18, 2026)
• Guyana Chronicle — "Crude supply from Guyana integral to Petrotrin refinery restart" (June 25, 2025)
• Trinidad Express — "Foreign investors eye reopening" (March 2026)
• Caribbean National Weekly — "Trinidad pushes regional oil alliance with Guyana, Suriname to restart refinery" (February 19, 2026)
• NYCaribNews — "Rubio Signals U.S. Support for Refinery Reopening" (March 2026)
• ExxonMobil Official — "Daily oil production hits 900,000 barrels in Guyana's Stabroek block" (November 2025)
• Kaieteur News — "Guyana could surpass 1M barrels per day by year-end" (February 21, 2026)
• Oxford Business Group — "Trinidad and Tobago restructures state oil firm" (2020 Report)
• Wikipedia — "Petrotrin" (history, shutdown, and operational data)
• CARICOM Energy — Regional fuel import and energy cost data
• Atlantic Council — "What Guyanese President Irfaan Ali is likely to focus on in his second term" (September 2025)
• Energy Capital & Power — "Caribbean Energy Week 2026: Trinidad and Tobago accelerates upstream momentum" (March 2026)
• U.S. Energy Information Administration — "Brazil, Guyana, and Argentina support forecast crude oil growth in 2026"
DISCLAIMER: This content is produced independently by Caribbean Journey for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or political advice. All information presented is based on publicly available sources and official statements as of the date of publication. Facts, figures, and projections referenced in this documentary reflect the best available reporting at the time of production and may be subject to change as events develop. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any decisions based on the information presented. Caribbean Journey is not affiliated with any government, corporation, or political entity mentioned in this content.
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Published Apr 9, 2026
