Source: https://rivet.global/blog/trinidad-energy-services-billing-international-clients
Published: 2026-10-08 · Updated: 2026-10-08 · By William Sunjo M.

# Trinidad energy services companies billing international clients

T&T energy services firms work for clients in Guyana, Suriname and the US. How to invoice in dollars, collect in full and manage local costs.

## Key takeaways

- Trinidad and Tobago's energy services companies increasingly work for clients in Guyana, Suriname and the US.
- International clients usually pay in US dollars.
- US dollar revenue is especially valuable in T&T, where dollars are often scarce at banks.
- US clients pay faster by ACH to US account details; regional clients often pay by international wire.

A Point Lisas inspection and maintenance company spent 20 years working for operators in Trinidad. Since Guyana's offshore oil developments began producing, a third of its revenue comes from contracts there, plus work for a Houston contractor and a client in Suriname. All of it is in US dollars, the currency Trinidad businesses find hardest to get.

## A regional market

Trinidad and Tobago built a deep pool of energy expertise over a century of oil and gas production. As production at home matured and Guyana's grew, Trinidadian engineering, inspection, logistics and maintenance firms followed the work. Clients pay in US dollars.

## Getting invoices approved

Large operators have strict approval processes. Payment delays usually come from the invoice, not the bank:

1. Quote the purchase order and line items exactly.
2. Attach the approved service entry sheet or timesheet.
3. Send to the accounts payable address in the contract.
4. Follow the client's portal process if it has one.

## Receiving the dollars

A Houston contractor can pay by ACH to US account details in your company's own name. Operators in Guyana and Suriname usually pay by international wire, which can take several days.

## Using dollar revenue well

In Trinidad, dollars earned abroad are especially useful. They can pay foreign suppliers, equipment rental and specialist staff directly, subject to local rules, without waiting for an allocation at a local bank. Convert to TT dollars only for local costs, on a schedule.

## Where Rivet fits

A Rivet business account accepts registered companies after verification, including Trinidad and Tobago companies, subject to local rules. Approved companies get US account details in their own name on every plan, euro and sterling details from the Growth plan, and payouts in 120+ countries. Payments are matched to invoices. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.

## Questions

### Why are T&T energy services firms working in Guyana?

Guyana's offshore oil developments created demand for experienced regional contractors, and Trinidad has a large pool of energy engineers and service firms.

### In which currency do international clients pay?

Usually US dollars, set in the contract.

### How should firms use their dollar revenue?

To pay foreign suppliers, equipment and staff costs in dollars directly, subject to local rules, and to convert to TT dollars for local costs as needed.

### What slows payments from operators?

Strict invoice approval processes: purchase order numbers, service entry sheets and timesheets must match. Missing details delay payment more than banking.