Bangkok Nation:Thai & Burmese Narro

[strider@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Bangkok Nation:Thai & Burmese Narrow Differences over gas deal


************************Posted by BurmaNet************************
  "Appropriate Information Technologies--Practical Strategies"
******************************************************************

NOTE: THE NUMBERS CITED BY "THE NATION" RELATING TO NATURAL GAS
RESERVES DON'T ADD UP IN THIS STORY.  THE STORY REPORTS RESERVES OF
5-6 MILLION SQ FT AT MARTABANG FIELD AND PLANS TO BUILD A PIPELINE
TO CARRY 350 MILLION SQ FT/PER DAY.  IF THESE NUMBERS WERE CORRECT,
THE PIPELINE WOULD EMPTY THE FIELD WITHIN A FEW MINUTES.

-BurmaNet

________________________________________________________________

March 12, 1994
The Nation (Bangkok)

THAI AND BURMESE NARROW DIFFERENCES OVER GAS DEAL
Pipeline Due a Few Years After Deal is Made

Pichaya Changsorn


A deal to purchase gas from Burma is nearly complete.  A difference
of only US 80 cents per million BTU between the Burmese and Thai
prices remains to be resolved, the governor of the Petroleum
Authority of Thailand said.

Gov. Leun Krisanakree said the negotiations to buy natural gas from
Burma's Martabang bay are proceeding well.  All issues including
the gas price are expected to be settled this month.

He said the difference between the prices offered by Thailand and
Burma has now been reduced to only 80 cents per million BTU.  Burma
wants its gas price to be the same as that at two gas sites in
Thailand.

The gas price at the two sites in Thailand is around US$2.10 per
million BTU.  Leun believes that the negotiations could be
concluded this month after a meeting between Burma's natural energy
minister and Thailand's Minister Savit Pothivoihok or Minister
Pornthep Tejapaiboon.

The gas project at Martabang bay covert two exploratory plots, M5
and M6.   The project covers an area of 26,140 sq metres.  Total Co
Ltd of France has been the developer since July 9, 1992.  Unocal
Myanmar Co holds some shares in this company.

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand has contracted with the Burmese
government for surveying and production.  The Martabang site has
gas reserved of 5million to 6million sq feet, double those at the
Bong Kot site in Thailand.

Leun said after the completion of the negotiations, at least two
years is needed to lay pipelines into Thailand with an early
capacity of 350 million sq feet of gas per day.  Thailand has
allegedly been putting pressure on Mon refugees in Thailand living
along the proposed route in conjunction with a Burmese government
offensive against the ethnic group.

Leun said that if this project is successful, the Petroleum
Authority of Thailand will pursue other projects including the
Saravin project to buy electricity and water from Burma.

Dr. Pratchaya Pinyawat, president of PAT Natural Gas Business, said
Burma sees little money flowing from the gas sales as world prices
are now low.  However, Burma as in investor should look at the
long-term income he said.