(Touchstone, 6.Jul.2022) — Touchstone Exploration Inc. (TSX, LSE: TXP) provides a further update on the status of the Cascadura Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) in support of an application for a Certificate of Environmental Clearance, which must be approved by the Trinidad and Tobago Environmental Management Authority (“EMA”) to conduct development operations within the Cascadura area in the company’s Ortoire block.
Touchstone has an 80 percent operating working interest in Ortoire block, with Heritage Petroleum Company Limited holding the remaining 20 percent working interest.
Further to the company’s announcement on June 27, 2022, and in accordance with the EMA’s regulated review process, Touchstone continues to engage with the EMA and respond to its queries to support the Cascadura area EIA application.
The company received an initial EIA Review and Assessment Report (“RAR”) from the EMA on 5 May 2022 and responded to the requests raised on 15 May 2022. Following receipt of a second RAR on 24 June 2022, Touchstone has submitted a partial response and will be meeting with the EMA to clarify the remaining aspects to ensure that the queries are addressed by the company. Touchstone will provide further feedback to the EMA as appropriate following this meeting. The EMA has noted that a determination will be made within thirty working days of receiving a complete response to the second RAR.
The EIA application was initially submitted on 23 December 2021 and pursuant to applicable legislation was to be determined by the EMA within 80 working days, unless extended while the EMA seeks further information or clarifications. The latest RAR represents the second extended date from the EMA beyond the original 80 working days review period.
As noted in the company’s announcement on 27 June 2022, the forecasted onstream date of the Cascadura facility will be established by the timing of receipt of the approved EIA application, and the company will update stakeholders as appropriate.
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