Touchstone advances Central strategy
Canadian independent’s evolving portfolio in Trinidad and Tobago gives it access to the Atlantic LNG market and a close-up view of developments in neighbouring Venezuela
The first new well to be drilled in Trinidad and Tobago’s onshore Central block for nearly two decades is expected to see first gas production shortly as the property’s new owner, Canadian independent Touchstone Exploration, targets the Atlantic LNG market, as well as strong demand from the Caribbean country’s petrochemicals sector. Touchstone acquired a 65% interest in the Central block exploration and production licence from Shell for about $28m in May 2025. The Calgary-based firm has wasted no time in developing an asset which its CEO, Paul Baay, described as a “game changer” for the firm he founded 15 years ago to focus solely on Trinidad’s onshore oil and gas sector. Production from Ce
Also in this section
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
22 April 2026
Sustained strikes on ports, terminals and refineries are testing the resilience of Russia’s oil export system, yet rapid repairs, rerouting and surging prices mean the campaign has yet to deliver a decisive blow
21 April 2026
After overcoming a COVID-induced demand collapse with several years of successful market management, geopolitical events have conspired to provide the pact’s biggest test to date
21 April 2026
The regime’s policy of using nuclear ambiguity as a deterrent may have failed but it has realised it has other cards to play, while its neighbours are reappraising their approach to security






