Exxon Mobil could invest as much as $21.7 billion in Trinidad and Tobago if the U.S. energy major finds reserves in a large deepwater area it was awarded on Tuesday to explore for oil and gas in the Caribbean country,

Exxon Mobil could invest as much as $21.7 billion in Trinidad and Tobago if the energy major finds reserves in a large deepwater area it plans to explore for oil and gas in the Caribbean country, energy minister Roodal Moonilal said.

Exxon Mobil signed a deal to explore a vast deepwater area offshore Trinidad and Tobago for oil and gas, and the country's energy minister said the company could spend as much as $21.7B.