Shell Trinidad and Tobago is open to exploring the possibility of increasing gas production from the Manatee field, in response to a call from Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, Shell’s senior vice-president and country chair Adam Lowmass has said.

The proposed boost in output is expected to ease the country’s ongoing gas shortages and support Government revenue.

The development offers a glimmer of hope, coming just days after Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo painted a grim picture of the country’s fiscal outlook, including a projected $9.67 billion deficit.