Barbados pushing oil and gas recovery with new tech

The government is ramping up efforts to boost oil and gas production by introducing new recovery techniques and sustainability initiatives as part of its evolving energy strategy.

Minister of Energy and Business Lisa Cummins revealed that an extensive review of the nation’s onshore wells is underway, along with the introduction of programmes aimed at enhanced recovery and carbon capture.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, she shared that Barbados has about 257 onshore wells, of which only 50 to 55 remain operational. 

The majority of the retired wells are now being assessed to rationalise oil production and identify new opportunities for extraction.

“The Barbados National Oil Company (BNOC) has been actively working on an assessment programme since last year to determine the status of our wells. Before we proceed with any further retirements, we need to ensure that we are maximising extraction from these resources,” Cummins said.

One of the key programmes underway involves the use of seismic data to better understand the island’s remaining oil and gas reserves. 

This data collection effort is expected to guide the government’s approach through 2027.

BNOC CEO James Brown shared that local gas production has significantly declined over the years, with only about 30 per cent of the country’s needs currently being met by domestic sources. 

Sharing his hopes that new recovery techniques could make a difference, he said, “We have invested significantly in our wells, and primary recovery has allowed us to extract only about 10 per cent of the oil and gas in place. Now, we are moving towards secondary and tertiary recovery methods to enhance production.”

Brown told the House that these advanced methods include injecting nitrogen or carbon dioxide into wells to disperse trapped natural gas and oil and re-perforating and re-sensitising older wells to increase productivity.

“In the past, many of our wells were focused primarily on oil production, which means a significant amount of natural gas was left untapped. Through enhanced recovery, we now have the opportunity to extract more of that gas,” he added.

BNOC is also launching a carbon capture initiative using retired wells where full extraction has already taken place. This, according to officials, is part of the government’s Net Zero Emissions (NZE) transition.  

Director of Natural Resources in the Ministry of Energy and Business, Jamar White, noted that this programme aligns with global sustainability goals while making use of existing infrastructure.

“We are looking at innovative ways to repurpose retired wells for carbon capture. This will not only help us in managing emissions but also ensure that we are making full use of the resources available to us,” White said.

The renewed focus on oil and gas recovery comes nearly a year after the government announced the reopening of oil drilling programmes, stressing the importance of securing local energy resources to reduce reliance on imports.

Officials noted that these initiatives aim to improve energy security while transitioning towards cleaner energy solutions. 

Minister Cummins said the administration remains committed to balancing economic viability with sustainability as it charts the future of the country’s energy sector.

“We are ensuring that every barrel of oil and every cubic foot of gas is extracted efficiently and responsibly,” she said. “At the same time, we are making strategic moves to align with global energy trends and Barbados’ long-term sustainability goals.” (SM)