Thailand to Move Ahead with Erawan, Bongkot Auctions: Report

Thailand is moving forward with the auctions for exploration rights in the Erawan and Bongkot natural gas fields without any delay, despite some protests, country’s energy minister Siri Jirapongphan said, Bangkok Post reported September 25.

A number of environmental groups have been opposing the auctions and even written to the Thai prime minister and local governments. The current contracts for Erawan and Bongkot end in 2022 and 2023, respectively. 

"We cannot afford any more delays as it would affect the country's development path for domestic energy production to supply power generation," Bangkok Post quoted Jirapongphan saying. Despite calls from protesters, he said he will not join a public debate to discuss auctioning the gas fields. 

The deadline for the mineral fuels department to receive proposals from the four qualified participants is September 25. The four companies are Chevron, PTTEP, Total and Mubadala, which passed all the auction conditions for finances, capability, technical skill and business portfolio, the newspaper said. The four firms are submitting bids for Erawan (G1/61) while three firms, minus Total, are going for Bongkot (G2/61).