It has now been confirmed that an early morning explosion that shook Pointe-a-Pierre and other nearby communities occurred at the recently opened Niquan Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) plant. Initially, there had been concerns that the shuttered Petrotrin refinery had exploded.
The loud blast woke residents in surrounding areas just after 6.30 am this morning and there was initial speculation that the ageing infrastructure at the former Petrotrin refinery had finally given way.
Senior officials of Niquan Energy are reportedly currently involved in a virtual meeting about what caused the explosion and how badly it damaged the infrastructure.
The T&T Police Service (TTPS) issued an advisory a short while ago warning the public to "exercise caution" in the vicinity of the Petrotrin compound and to seek alternative routes as first responders are on the scene.
Eyewitnesses described a frightening situation where they were surprised by the loud explosion, looked around to see birds flying off into the sky and smoke billowing from the plant. Some said they felt the ground shake.
Guardian Media reached out to Niquan director Ainsley Gill, who directed all questions to Malcolm Wells, Niquan's Vice President of Corporate Affairs. He is expected to respond shortly.
NiQuan Energy’s Gas-to-Liquids plant at Pointe-a-Pierre was officially opened by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley last month. According to the company's website, the plant has a nameplate capacity of 2,400 barrels a day and produces high performance, low emission energy products, GTL Paraffinic Diesel and GTL Naphtha, from natural gas.
This is a developing story and Guardian Media will give updates as more information comes to hand.