Thailand's PTTEP Urged to Look for Shale Gas in US

Thailand’s Mineral Fuels Department has urged PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) to explore shale gas fields in the US so that in the future it can import liquefied natural gas from there to help ensure Thailand's long-term energy security, the Nation has reported.

The Mineral Fuels Department has coordinated with the government to support PTTEP's search for petroleum in the US in the future and to import 3 million tonnes of LNG per year. PTT currently has LNG import contract with Qatar.

The government is seeking alternative sources to ensure national energy security.

Natural gas demand in Thailand reached 4.8 billion cubic feet per day last year, of which 2.9bcfd were locally procured and 750 million cubic feet per day were from the Thailand-Malaysia Joint Development Area (JDA). The rest was 130mcfd of imported LNG.