Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Thailand's offshore results encourage gas development

Journal Article · · Energy Int.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7108176

Thailand, whose efforts to relieve its dependence on costly imported oil by exploring the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea have been hampered by political unrest, is using a new approach of granting blocks of exploration concessions to several international companies. Early strikes indicate a potential supply of high-grade, low-sulfur oil and natural gas condensates. Development is underway by Weeks, Oceanic Exploration, Union Oil, and Esso in the Andaman Sea; Amoco, BP, Tenneco, Sun, Union Oil, Conoco, and Triton in the Gulf of Thailand. Centrally located Singapore is now providing much of the drilling supplies, but Thailand is setting up its own oil-support industry to provide oil well cement, Barite (mud lubricant) and logistical services. Delays in commercial development of the natural gas fields are due to negotiations over foreign investment, prices, customer assurance, and regulatory procedures. The Thai government plans to build a pipeline to connect the gas fields with Bangkok. (DCK)

OSTI ID:
7108176
Journal Information:
Energy Int.; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Int.; (United States) Vol. 14:3; ISSN ENEIB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English