Petrotrin update: now Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd

[hydroep]

There were some employees of Petrotrin who not so long ago were boasting about their benefits after successive OWTU 'victories' and dismissed concerns about the largesse of the company as "sour grapes" by those who didn't have connections to get in, how "is dangerous wuk" and they deserve it etc...etc...etc.

Every man jack gone silent now. As they say "What eh meet yuh, eh pass yuh"...

[Specialist Baboons]

"In refinery there are 100 vacancies for operators. How can you refine products if there are no skilled workers? When skilled people retire they are not filling vacancies,” Roget added."

Strange thing is that they had a big ad in the papers for hiring Operator Apprentices in April last year. People did medical and was just waiting to sign contracts since September, but as of today no one was hired...
So, I am curious to know when some of the older refinery operators retire (which would be soon) what gonna happen? Unless their intention is actually to sell or lease out the refinery.

It looks more and more like decisions were already made behind closed doors and the public just getting a small trickle of the Government's master plan...

The hiring was stalled as the Board of Directors was mandated by the Government not to hire!!!!!

[airuma]

There were some employees of Petrotrin who not so long ago were boasting about their benefits after successive OWTU 'victories' and dismissed concerns about the largesse of the company as "sour grapes" by those who didn't have connections to get in, how "is dangerous wuk" and they deserve it etc...etc...etc.

Every man jack gone silent now. As they say "What eh meet yuh, eh pass yuh"...

Oh yes! The defenders of petrotrin who sacrifice their lives for all of us, HR must be busy checking up outstanding vacation and other benefits. I hope the OWTU has enough funds to purchase a piece of the pie.
There was one who did admit that they could take a pay cut though...... nervewrecker I think.
Dr. Thackwray Driver did make mention of equity being the only option and Farming out as a possibility, similar to comments made by Redman, this morning on Morning Brew.
Something big is definitely up though, Franklin Khan, Colm Imbert and Stuart Young were on Morning Brew Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week respectively. Franklin Khan was also on CTV yesterday morning. Who knows..... maybe Faris tomorrow!

[lalloboy101]

I wonder with this latest development if the ULSD plant would still go ahead, it cost initially $3.42billion (approx.) to build but never worked. From estimates it looks like they need an additional $1 billion to fix, and of course there is no guarantee it would work. EPC supposed to be awarded end of the month, if I remember clearly

[hong kong phooey]

new year new bribe money to keep quiet
At think he go settle for one off them rooms in no mans lan next to yours

[airuma]

I wonder with this latest development if the ULSD plant would still go ahead, it cost initially $3.42billion (approx.) to build but never worked. From estimates it looks like they need an additional $1 billion to fix, and of course there is no guarantee it would work. EPC supposed to be awarded end of the month, if I remember clearly

How things going with the DME plant in La Brea?

[Redman]

ULSD would be better executed away from petrotrin

[osarothepsychic]

Wow.

[lalloboy101]

ULSD would be better executed away from petrotrin

The PMC for the project is SNC Lavalin, in my opinion they should of never gotten a new contract to manage the project as it was mismanaged by them when they oversaw Samsung

[airuma]

Franklin Khan described Guyana as "big" on Morning Brew. He also suggested that Exxon will not refine here and that there is a possibility of getting Guyana's 30% iirc. Maybe wishful thinking but if an investor can convince Exxon to refine here..... this will certainly boost economic activity..... but does petrotrin have the capacity?

[The_Honourable]

Petrotrin discussion starts at 6:30.

I agree with Ozzi Warwick most of the time, but pay attention at 7:10 and 11:45... try to duck the question about reducing the workforce.

[Redman]

Franklin Khan described Guyana as "big" on Morning Brew. He also suggested that Exxon will not refine here and that there is a possibility of getting Guyana's 30% iirc. Maybe wishful thinking but if an investor can convince Exxon to refine here..... this will certainly boost economic activity..... but does petrotrin have the capacity?

From Exxons POV a BBl of crude that is sold to Petrotrin yields X-based on Selling price VS Cost Price.

If Exxon keeps the BBl in its supply chain from Reservoir to end user of the refined product in terms of motor oil/fuel or other petrochemical it yields exponentially more to Exxon.
and they will still have to purchase feed stock for their refineries.
On average a BBL of crude will yield about 1.1BBls of refined products.
Dollar wise you can see the difference in terms of a gallon of gas vs a gallon of oil


The refinery is operating at 80% ish on average -I dont believe the throughput is limited by feedstock.

If we refining Guyana crude- both countries would have to make concessions in some way.

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

OWTU seeks input in Petrotrin make-over

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2018-01- ... -make-over


The battle horn has been blown and the message to the Government was clear—”Back off from Petrotrin and allow the OWTU to participate in its restructuring effort.”

On Sunday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said 2018 was the year for Petrotrin’s restructuring and that the company could not continue to be indebted to the Government. Petrotrin currently owes the Government $2.75 b in unpaid taxes. The company production of oil has also fallen and struggles to meet it wage demands.

But in a response yesterday, OTWU president general Ancel Roget warned Rowley that if workers are sent home, they are prepared to send the Government packing.

The new threat comes on the anniversary of a shutdown of the State’s oil and gas company. In that instance, the workers were protesting over stalled wage negotiations.

The threat fizzled after a deal was brokered by the Minister of Labour and company officials.

With the threat of job cuts across the company, workers from the Trinmar Offshore Operations in Point Fortin gave a resounding “Yes” to joining the union as they plan to hit the streets in protest. Mobilising support for their “year of protest,” Roget criticised Rowley and the Petrotrin Board of Directors’ handling of the failing State enterprise.

“Any attempt to put Petrotrin in the hands of private interest is not in the country’s interest. This is the only State entity that produces the products that generate foreign exchange.”

Roget made it clear that the union was not against the restructuring, recalling that they had submitted recommendations for the restructuring back in 2017. He said the union must be part of that process, but several requests to meet with the Board of Directors were not answered.

Calls to Petrotrin’s acting corporate communications manager George Commisiong yesterday for a response went unanswered. Energy Minister Franklin Khan also did not answer calls.

[Redman]

Any attempt to put Petrotrin in the hands of private interest is not in the country’s interest. This is the only State entity that produces the products that generate foreign exchange.”

NGC does sell gas for ???
Lake Asphalt sells its product for???

Many of his union members know that the union is a contributor to the state of affairs.

Roget needs to realize that the union can be part of the solution as well.

[kamakazi]

NGC is not in the business of production.... As far as I know

[Redman]

Yeah-sorry bout that.

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Any attempt to put Petrotrin in the hands of private interest is not in the country’s interest. This is the only State entity that produces the products that generate foreign exchange.”

NGC does sell gas for ???
Lake Asphalt sells its product for???

Many of his union members know that the union is a contributor to the state of affairs.

Roget needs to realize that the union can be part of the solution as well.

Isn't that what the article is about though?

[Specialist Baboons]

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Doubtful that workers will not pay for it. This time is a different time.

[airuma]

Arcelormittal certainly was not convinced by this!

[Redman]

Any attempt to put Petrotrin in the hands of private interest is not in the country’s interest. This is the only State entity that produces the products that generate foreign exchange.”

NGC does sell gas for ???
Lake Asphalt sells its product for???

Many of his union members know that the union is a contributor to the state of affairs.

Roget needs to realize that the union can be part of the solution as well.

Isn't that what the article is about though?

Yeah...it been a long day...I posted before finishing the thought

The union has to recognise that the solutions cannot be successful without a cut in the number of employees.
It's well known that Petrotrin is bloated.
Roger has started in the same way he always starts.
This time is different.

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Any attempt to put Petrotrin in the hands of private interest is not in the country’s interest. This is the only State entity that produces the products that generate foreign exchange.”

NGC does sell gas for ???
Lake Asphalt sells its product for???

Many of his union members know that the union is a contributor to the state of affairs.

Roget needs to realize that the union can be part of the solution as well.

Isn't that what the article is about though?

Yeah...it been a long day...I posted before finishing the thought

The union has to recognise that the solutions cannot be successful without a cut in the number of employees.
It's well known that Petrotrin is bloated.
Roger has started in the same way he always starts.
This time is different.

To be honest if you follow in detail the union has also stated that the number of employees needs to be cut.

Edit: http://www.guardian.co.tt/business/2017 ... 99s-future

OWTU meets Energy Minister on Petrotrin’s future
Published:
Wednesday, July 19, 2017

President General of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union Ancel Roget says if Petrotrin has to cut jobs in a proposed restructuring exercise the first to go should be from the human resource and corporate communications departments. He insisted no job losses should come from oil producing areas.

Roget said he told that to Energy Minister Franklin during yesterday’s two-hour meeting at Tower C , International Waterfront Centre, Port-of-Spain.

He told reporters yesterday’s meeting was cordial but the minister “did not tell us anything that we did not know.”

Roget said the union told Khan that the workers were not to be blamed for the financial problems affecting the company and any restructuring should ensure those who work in the core area of oil production and refining be retained.

Roget said that there were many workers in the human resources and corporate communications departments who could be offered alternative jobs in the areas of production and refining.

“Those (workers) do not produce oil and they do not refine oil to make products,” Roget said.

He also said there was no need for certain executive positions in the company.

Roget said there are some 2,000 vacancies that needed to be filled in the areas of oil production and refining. He insisted the human resources and communications departments are “highly overstaffed.”

He said the OWTU would like to see an immediate restructuring of the company “putting the focus and emphasis where it matters — where real people who do real work ,those vacancies ought to be filled.”

Roget said the company has put a hold on the filling of those vacancies.

He said he told the minister that the OWTU “was fully committed to restructuring the company and “we believe that it should involve the union.”

He said the issue of the $850 million bullet payment from the recent negotiations for a new collective agreement was also discussed yesterday. According to Roget the union was told that that issue had to be renegotiated. He said while the union supports that for the company to ease its debt burden it must also have the right management to achieve that objective.

Roget said Petrotrin must to be insulated from political interference in order to be a successful business.

Asked to comment on Tuesday’s meeting between Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the OWTU leader said under former prime ministers Basdeo Panday and Patrick Manning “you would never have seen such an approach.”

He said Rowley has effectively turned to the woman whom he said cannot run to country in 2015 and asked her to help manage it in 2017.

“Something has to be wrong with that. Something has to be ludicrous about that whole arrangement,” Roget said.

He said if the Prime Minister and his Government “feel that is good political stroke, it is not, wait until the backlash comes and we are sure it will come. It is an admission of failure.”

Rowley met with Persad-Bissessar on Tuesday but there was no agreement on one of the major issues discussed, a legislative intervention to resolve the issue of the 53 part-heard cases left by former Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar when she became a judge last April.

She has since resigned the new appointment.

[Redman]

Yep ....he was in a different mood last year.
But to be fair he wants to dictate where the job cuts should come from....Not from where his people are.
The first article you quoted where he is now willing to send the govt packing...if workers go home.

Both should be taken in the context of his recommendation that political influence be removed from the company.
Yet....he is threatening strikes if he doesn't get his way.
His political influence is ok.

Which is it?

[airuma]

"Roget said Petrotrin must to be insulated from political interference in order to be a successful business"

Most sensible thing he said.... sounds like he admits privatization is the best way forward!

When unions start to do their job and let everyone else do theirs, then they will be worth something. If they were doing their job, we would not have so many people claiming that petrotrin is the most dangerous place to work.

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

"Roget said Petrotrin must to be insulated from political interference in order to be a successful business"

Most sensible thing he said.... sounds like he admits privatization is the best way forward!

When unions start to do their job and let everyone else do theirs, then they will be worth something. If they were doing their job, we would not have so many people claiming that petrotrin is the most dangerous place to work.

What's the basis for you thinking this?

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Yep ....he was in a different mood last year.
But to be fair he wants to dictate where the job cuts should come from....Not from where his people are.
The first article you quoted where he is now willing to send the govt packing...if workers go home.

Both should be taken in the context of his recommendation that political influence be removed from the company.
Yet....he is threatening strikes if he doesn't get his way.
His political influence is ok.

Which is it?

Sounds like any other stakeholder. He has agreed to some suggestions but not all. Sounds like compromise and potentially more in the making.

[Redman]

Yeah but this stake holder is fighting his battle in the press.

And I might add doing something else behind closed doors

[De Dragon]

Any attempt to put Petrotrin in the hands of private interest is not in the country’s interest. This is the only State entity that produces the products that generate foreign exchange.”

NGC does sell gas for ???
Lake Asphalt sells its product for???

Many of his union members know that the union is a contributor to the state of affairs.

Roget needs to realize that the union can be part of the solution as well.

Roget is an arse. Any solution involving keeping PT bloated staff levels is all he wants to see. Like many here, he also spoke some tripe about PT workers "risking their lives" to "provide for the country" and thus making it seem that to restructure would be inhumane to these workers.

[airuma]

"Roget said Petrotrin must to be insulated from political interference in order to be a successful business"

Most sensible thing he said.... sounds like he admits privatization is the best way forward!

When unions start to do their job and let everyone else do theirs, then they will be worth something. If they were doing their job, we would not have so many people claiming that petrotrin is the most dangerous place to work.

What's the basis for you thinking this?

"They" meaning "the union"

[Redman]

Any attempt to put Petrotrin in the hands of private interest is not in the country’s interest. This is the only State entity that produces the products that generate foreign exchange.”

NGC does sell gas for ???
Lake Asphalt sells its product for???

Many of his union members know that the union is a contributor to the state of affairs.

Roget needs to realize that the union can be part of the solution as well.

Roget is an arse. Any solution involving keeping PT bloated staff levels is all he wants to see. Like many here, he also spoke some tripe about PT workers "risking their lives" to "provide for the country" and thus making it seem that to restructure would be inhumane to these workers.

The union needs to change its philosophy as Roget communicates it.

Why not accept a cut in the roster-in exchange for
Ownership in the co.
Rep at the board level
A block capable of producing X BOPD. say 3000 BOPD. Let the union show that THEY KNOW how to produce oil.
Assistance in the transition of the workers that are let go.

I feel that ALL agreements that are made between between the union and the state companies MUST be made public in its entirety.