Thailand to Open Up Gas Pipeline Sector

Thailand’s military government plans to open up country’s gas pipeline business by middle of 2015, news agency Reuters reported quoting energy policy makers.

State owned PTT Plc currently monopolizes the sector.  

PTT will spin off the business by transferring the pipeline and related assets to a new entity, according to a statement from the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), chaired by junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha, reported Reuters.

With this move other companies can gain access to Thailand’s gas pipelines and links to the LNG receiving terminal run by PTT.

Initially, PTT will own 100 percent of the new entity but the Finance Ministry could take a stake, Areepong Bhoocha-Oom, the news agency quoted permanent secretary of the Energy Ministry as saying.

PTT runs onshore and offshore gas pipelines running 3,715 km (2,300 miles) and is building a fourth at an estimated cost of 39 billion baht ($1.22 billion), Reuters said.