NAOWARAT SUKSAMRAN
The Na Sanoon oil field in Wichian Buri district, Phetchabun, the latest oil field found in the country, may give a fillip to the country's energy reserves, but its output combined with supply from other domestic sources satisfies only 30% of overall oil demand, according to an expert.
Many oil wells were drilled in the district and nearby Si Thep district by Canadian-based Pan Orient Co, which is the fourth operator to work on the site.
Following a Mineral Resources Department survey in 1993, a concession was awarded to a British firm, which later sold its right to a joint venture between Indonesian and New Zealand firms after its survey found the supply was not commercially viable.
The joint venture later sold its stake to a British firm, which sold it again to Pan Orient Co.
Mineral Fuels Department director-general Krairit Nilkuha said initial assessment had suggested the field holds about 30-60 million barrels of crude supply and detailed assessment revised up the volume to 100 million barrels.
The concession consists of the right to nine years' exploration and 20 years' drilling.
Mr Krairit said the department identified the potential oil-rich location using geological data.
Oil wells are being drilled at Lan Krabue field in Kamphaeng Phet, Pearl in the Gulf of Thailand, Fang in Chiang Mai and Chevron site in Songkhla.
"The future is bright. Drilling will start at Arunothai field in Kong Krailat district in Sukhothai later this year. The flow rate is estimated at 10,000 barrels of crude oil per day," he said.
"Two wells in the Gulf of Thailand in Songkhla and Chumphon could produce 7,000-8,000 barrels a day. Exploration is also underway in Suphan Buri and Nakhon Sawan," he said.
"At present, the country's crude production is about 140,000 barrels per day and should rise to 250,000 barrels a day over the next four years," the official added.
But he said the current overall production of oil from existing sources inside the country is far from enough to satisfy domestic demand.
Supply from domestic sources only fulfils 30% of nationwide demand for oil. Last year, the department collected 35-37 billion baht from concessions for use of local oil and gas reserves. Oil exploration is a costly investment few Thai-owned companies would take. Only small foreign firms have invested here while the big players focus on businesses in the Middle East.
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