Dragon holds up to 4.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Trinidad needs the fuel to boost its liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petrochemical industries. A portion of the country's Atlantic LNG export facility has been idled due to a lack of gas. The two countries have "a relationship of respect," Young said. They had progressed on developing the field through 2018, which led to a commercial agreement aiming to bring gas supply to Trinidad in 2020. But U.S. sanctions halted the effort. If negotiations go well, gas technically could begin flowing in two years, he said. Shell is a partner in the development alongside Trinidad's National Gas Company, PDVSA, and PDVSA Gas, he said. Shell's role has been authorized by Washington, whose approval was conditioned on no cash payments to Venezuela. The government and companies participating in the Atlantic LNG project also are expected to sign next month a definitive agreement restructuring its ownership, the minister said.