BANGKOK, 28 February 2013 Energy conglomerate PTT Plc has assured that Thailand will not face a shortage in the supply of natural gas for vehicles (NGV) during the planned suspension of gas delivery from Myanmar this April.
PTT’s Vice President for the Gas Business Unit Charcrie Buranakanonda estimated that after Myanmar’s gas pipeline maintenance work begins on April 5, Thailand will still receive about 350 million cubic feet of leftover gas from the main pipeline, which will be able to offset the shortfall of gas during the period. The amount is expected to produce enough NGV for at least 12 days.
Mr Charcrie, however, admitted that the difference in heating values of gas imported from the west and east coasts could affect the quality of supplied NGV. In a bid to ensure consumer trust, PTT has raised the carbon dioxide level in the gas reserves and has notified the Department of Energy Business of the change.
Thailand relies on gas for 70 per cent of its domestic power generation, with a quarter of the total amount imported from Myanmar. With the deadline for the scheduled maintenance in the Yadana offshore gas field looming, Thailand has requested a temporary increase in power supply from Malaysia while urging domestic operators of oil and diesel power plants to increase output.
