Petroleum exploration in Thailand

Exploration for and production of petroleum in Thailand is conducted both by private companies and by the government. The government effort headed by the Defense Energy Department has been relatively modest and is focused onshore in the northern provinces. Production is 416 BD of oil from 15 wells at Amphoe Fang, Chiengmai Province. The much larger private effort is focused both onshore and offshore in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. As of March 1, 1983, 110 wells had been drilled in the Gulf of Thailand. Of these, 55 wells produced natural gas and condensate, five produced crude oil with natural gas and condensate, and two yielded crude oil only. Natural gas reserves are estimated at about 16.1 trillion ft3, (16.1 TCF) excluding volumes not yet estimated for the North Pla-dang, Funan, Trat, and Pakarang gas fields. Fields found in the gulf up to March 1 and their presently estimated reserves include: the Erawan gas field (1.8 TCF; this figure may change when information from new wells and a three-dimensional seismic survey are evaluated); the “B” gas field (7.2 TCF); the Kaphong-Platong gas field (1.3 TCF); the Baanpot gas field (0.8 TCF); the Satun gas field (3.2 TCF); the “E” gas field (0.2 TCF); and the Pla-dang, Funan, Trat, and Pakarang gas fields which are thought to be commercial.