Challenger Energy awarded 'STOW' status in Trinidad

Caribbean and Atlantic margin focused oil and gas company Challenger Energy has been awarded ‘STOW-TT’ certification in Trinidad and Tobago, it announced on Monday.

The AIM-traded firm said STOW-TT is the ‘Safe to Work in Trinidad and Tobago’ certification, and provides a standardized health and safety requirement, and an independent system for certifying operators and contractors with respect to health, safety and environmental requirements.

Heritage Petroleum Company is a signatory of the STOW charter, and requires all contractors and operators conducting work on their behalf to become STOW certified.

Following an “extensive” programme of work and preparation over the last 12 months, the company said it had been awarded a two-year certification effective 5 August 2021, being the maximum time achievable under STOW rules.

“An essential part of the social licence to operate in Trinidad and Tobago is to achieve STOW accreditation, which demonstrates an operator's commitment to its people, vendors, contractors, regulatory authorities, and the local communities in which it operates,” said chief executive officer Eytan Uliel.

“When we took over operating of our assets in Trinidad in August 2020, we noted that the prior operators had never successfully achieved STOW certification, and we were determined to do so as a matter of priority.

“We are thus enormously proud of this achievement, which represents the culmination of more than 12 months of work by our in-country team, and provides strong validation for our commitment to, and operating presence in, Trinidad and Tobago.”

At 1531 BST, shares in Challenger Energy Group were up 11.2% at 1.67p.