Framework for energy resources set for Cabinet
THE Department of Mineral Fuels will propose to the Cabinet this month the framework and methods for determining which zones across the country will be subject to petroleum exploration and production under the three main arrangements: a concession basis, a production-sharing contract (PSC) or a service contract (SC).
Director-general Veerasak Pungrassamee said that the department would also table for the Cabinet the four ministerial regulation drafts concerning PSC.
If approved, the department will start sales of the terms of reference on both the Erawan and Bongkot petroleum fields in September. The names of the bid winners are expected to be announced in the first quarter of next year.
The ministerial draft regulations on the SC is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet in September.
Veerasak added that the bids for the two fields were highly likely to be conducted on the PSC basis. However, it is the Cabinet that will make a final decision on which bidding scheme will be applied to the fields.
China, Mid-East firms keen on bids
He said companies from China and the Middle East are keen to take part in the bids, pending the completion of the terms of reference for the bidding.
The National Energy Policy Council has resolved for the government to put out bidding calls for the Erawan and Bongkot fields, whose concessions will expire in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Both fields are in the Gulf of Thailand.
PTT Exploration and Production operates the Bongkot field, while US oil giant Chevron runs the Erawan field.
Separately, Energy Minister Anantaporn Kanjanarat said the ministry was in talks to purchase electricity from the Koh Kong coal-fired power plant with capacity of 2,400 megawatts and the Strung Nam hydropower plant, both in Cambodia, as part of the country's power purchases from neighbouring countries.
He said he would try to wrap up the talks before the end of the year. If both sides can finalise an agreement, the purchased supply will also be taken into account for the national power development plan, which was being revised, the minister |said.
