Unocal, PTTEP, Total win Thai offshore blocks

Offshore staff

(Asia) - Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production PCL, Unocal Corp, and Total have won initial approval to explore and produce oil and gas in the Gulf of Thailand, Reuters reported on October 18.

Thailand's petroleum committee has granted block G4/48 to Unocal Andaman, block G9/48 to Unocal Andaman/PTTEP Siam, and block G12/48 to a consortium of Thai Energy, Total E&P and PTTEP Siam, according to the Reuters report.

"They are sole bidders in each of these three blocks and are current players in other blocks," Department of Mineral Fuels Chief Krairit Nilkuha told Reuters.

He said they had made "attractive" offers but he gave no other details. The Thai cabinet is expected to approve the committee's decision in the next few weeks.

According to the DMF's Web site, the three preferred bidders were among 11 groups that had bid for 11 oil and gas blocks in Thailand's 19th bidding round, which offered 82 offshore and onshore blocks.

10/18/05