The island nation of Trinidad and Tobago is aiming to take a “significant step forward” in gathering Venezuelan natural gas to support domestic demand and LNG exports after the United States granted an amended license, according to Energy Minister Stuart Young.

In a press conference late Tuesday, Young said he expects to complete negotiations with Venezuela to buy natural gas from the offshore Dragon field after the U.S. Treasury Department agreed to allow development partners to make payments in both hard currency and humanitarian contributions.

Young said the ministry plans to continue meetings with Shell plc, Trinidad’s state-owned National Gas Co. and the government of Venezuela to “get into the granular level of detail” for pricing Dragon field gas.

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