Thailand’s upstream natural gas sector is struggling to reverse falling output due to bad planning and policy from the government, coupled with a seeming lack of innovation at PTT Exploration & Production (BKK:PTTEP), a state-backed company, that is taking increasing control of the country’s gas resources.
Thailand’s dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) continues to expand despite soaring global prices. Significantly, the increasing demand for LNG is being exacerbated by production declines across ageing domestic fields, particularly Erawan.
Thailand’s PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) is now the official operator of the G1/61 project, which covers the Erawan, Platong, Satun and Funan fields, as well as the G2/61 project, covering the Bongkot field. PTTEP (BKK:PTTEP) said it is ready to boost natural gas production to increase energy security despite being denied prior access to Erawan due to an unresolved dispute with the former operator.
PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) (BKK:PTTEP) will be able to access the Chevron-operated Erawan gas field offshore Thailand ahead of a transition in 2022 after the pair signed three agreements designed to smooth the handover process following a bitter dispute.
Chevron is responsible for decommissioning dozens of platforms at the giant Erawan Block, which it will hand over to Thai national oil company PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) in April 2022, when its concessionary contract expires. However, delays in official government approvals leaves key decommissioning contracts stalled for now.
Thailand’s PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) said yesterday that there is still “no clarity” around access to the Chevron-operated Erawan gas field off Thailand ahead of a transition next year. PTTEP wants access before next April’s handover to ensure a smooth transition and stem a production decline at the field, which is key to Thai energy security.
Thailand’s PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) said it will need between one and two years to hit its contractual production target at the Erawan field offshore Thailand once it takes over from current operator Chevron.
Thailand’s PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) is having difficulty accessing the Chevron-operated Erawan gas field to install production facilities as planned, ahead of a transition next year. PTTEP is now reportedly “losing hope” of gaining access before next April’s handover due to an unresolved legal battle with Chevron.
Chevron’s recently-appointed president Chatit Huayhongtong has pledged to ensure a smooth transfer of its Erawan gas field, now facing a legal dispute, to Thai upstream company PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), reported the Bangkok Post.
Analysts at Macquarie bank believe Thai upstream player PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) is set to outperform as it is bolstered by strong crude prices and the mitigation of risk that output will disappoint at Erawan.
Thailand’s state-backed upstream player PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) said Monday that its $2.45 billion deal to buy a 20% stake in one of Oman’s strategic gas fields from UK major BP will pave the way for future investments in the Middle East.
Chevron is seeking contractors for a major retirement campaign across the Gulf of Thailand as the Southeast Asian nation braces for a huge wave of decommissioning.
Decommissioning Southeast Asia’s aging oilfields offers a vast but challenging market opportunity.