PTTEP collaborates with Inpex for CCS study in Northern Gulf of Thailand

Thai energy company PTTEP has announced a collaboration with Japan's Inpex Corporation to conduct a study on carbon storage potential in the Northern Gulf of Thailand, it said on January 5.

The initiative is part of an international collaboration between the Thai Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), laying the groundwork for the potential development of a carbon capture and storage (CCS) hub in the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand (EEC).

“PTTEP is pleased to work alongside INPEX in this study. We have unique knowledge in the subsurface of the Gulf of Thailand and experiences from our CCS initiative at the Arthit gas field,” PTTEP CEO Montri Rawanchaikul said.

“Combined with Inpex’s international experience in CCS project implementation, we believe the study outcome will equip Thailand with necessary insights and information to outline CCS infrastructure and development plan, especially the CCS Hub initiative for the EEC, as CCS is one of the promising pathways that could substantially reduce industry’s carbon emissions and keep the country’s Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions goals within reach,” he added.

PTTEP is currently leading the feasibility study of PTT Group’s Eastern Thailand CCS hub initiative in the EEC, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions from the group’s operational sites in Rayong and Chonburi provinces, as well as nearby industrial areas, using CCS technology and storage potential in the Gulf of Thailand.

Additionally, PTTEP is progressing with the first CCS project in Thailand at the Arthit gas field in the Gulf of Thailand. With the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase now completed, PTTEP expects to commence CCS operation at the Arthit field in 2027, reducing 700,000–1mn tonnes/year of CO2 from gas production.