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Touchstone Exploration CEO Paul Baay
Upstream Trinidad and Tobago
Stuart Penson
2 March 2026
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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

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