Published on Fri, February 12, 2010

PTT is asking the operators of all natural gas fields in the Gulf of Thailand to pump up gas at their full capacity late March, when Yadana gas field in Burma will be shut down for two weeks.

The shutdown, for the installation of gas pipeline and equipment, will result in the missing of 1,000 million cubic feet per day.

Permsak Shevawattananon, senior executive vice president of PTT, said that to cope with the shortage, the western gas pipeline's capacity will be kept at maximum level to satisfy demand in the industrial and transportation sectors.

PTT will also increase oil inventories for power generating, while the gas separation plants in Rayong will shut down for maintenance which would reduce the natural gas demand.

Permsak noted that PTT has worked closely with the Energy Ministry and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and is confident that the measures would ensure no negative impacts on the manufacturing, power generating, and transportation sectors.