July 18 (Reuters) - Trinidad and Tobago's High Court on

Thursday reaffirmed a decision recognizing U.S. oil producer

ConocoPhillips' ( COP ) arbitration claim against Venezuela,

which could freeze the Caribbean country's payments to its

neighbor for joint natural gas projects.

The decision was made by judge Frank Seepersad after

Venezuela failed to present its arguments before the court,

according to a court document seen by Reuters.