done on the plants as recent as 2011. By being the only refinery in operation in the Caribbean, Trinidad & Tobago became the supplier of refined petroleum products to the rest of the region. Petrotrin produced and had proven reserves totaling . The refinery had a capacity of and it was the only refinery in the world that operated alongside a wildlife park. Closure Petrotrin became the embodiment of poor corporate governance, expressed in bad policy decisions, wastage, corruption and nepotism across governments. The power of the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union over the company due to consolidation of past state oil companies made it even more difficult for management to institute changes. On 28 August 2018, it was announced by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that Petrotrin would have to be shut down (although earlier stating in his political campaign they would not shut down the state-owned company) because of the government and company's inability to generate a profit during a period of low oil prices, where TT$8 billion was lost over five years. Also cited by the government was lack of competitiveness, declining production, TT$12 billion in debt, and the loss of foreign exchange due to the importation of oil to be used together with locally produced oil to keep the refinery in operation. According to the government, a cash injection of TT$25 billion would be required to refresh its infrastructure and repay its debt. On 30 November 2018, Petrotrin was shut down with the country's largest refinery officially closed after 101 years in operation. Approximately 5,500 permanent and temporary/casual employees lost their jobs. Petrotrin broke into four new companies that became effective from 1 December 2018: Trinidad Petroleum Holding Limited – Legacy matters such as settling outstanding financial debts by Petrotrin and the parent company of the following three companies: Heritage Petroleum Company Limited – Exploration, development, production and marketing of crude oil. Paria Fuel Trading Company – Trading and marketing of imported fuel products. Guaracara Refining Company – Holding company for the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery and related assets to be offered for sale. The refinery flame was a national landmark, with many in surrounding communities such as Pointe-a-Pierre, Marabella, Claxton Bay and Gasparillo expressing hopes for the refinery to be purchased and restarted by a private enterprise. References External links Oil and gas companies of Trinidad and Tobago Texaco Energy companies established in 1993 Non-renewable resource companies established