Galeota Point is the most south-easterly point of the island of Trinidad. It is a Point or Peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and provides a measure of shelter to Guayaguayare Bay from the destructive Atlantic waves that batter the east coast of the island.
The area was originally settled by the first peoples, and eventually came to be associated with the settlement of Guayaguayare. For many years, the area part of a sleepy fishing settlement with some subsistence agriculture activities. At the turn of the century, in fact 1901, oil was first produced in the area, heralding the birth of Trinidad and Tobago as a regional energy giant.
After the find of onshore oil in the area, there was a general curiosity about the potential presence of offshore oil deposits nearby. In 1961 the first offshore exploration well, ‘Galeota 1’ was drilled. Oil was found, but the quantities were deemed uneconomic at the time. It would not be until 1968 when offshore oil was found in commercially viable quantities in the Radix area, just north of Galeota. The potential of the area attracted the American Oil Company (AMOCO) to invest in exploration. In 1972 AMOCO began commercial production from the Teak platform.
With oil now being produced, a terminal facility was needed, and Galeota Point was selected to be the location. Since then, many millions of barrels of oil, and huge volumes of natural gas have flowed through the Galeota Point Terminal facility. However, ‘The Point’ as it is called is not a purely industrial zone. It is also a notable wildlife preserve with an area dedicated as a habitat to many birds. Yet another example of how industry and nature can coexist when a genuine effort is made.
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