BANGKOK, Jan 2 (TNA) – Drilling platforms in the Gulf of Thailand were evacuated due to incoming tropical storm Pabuk while energy security remained intact.
Premruthai Winaipaet, director-general of the Department of Mineral Fuels, said PTT Exploration and Production PCL and Chevron Thailand Exploration & Production Co were evacuating their drilling platforms as the Meteorological Department predicted tropical storm Pabuk would have impacts on the South on Jan 3-5.
The evacuation happened to drilling platforms in the lower part of the gulf, from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward. Most staff on the platforms were evacuated and ten staff would remain on each platform to maintain oil and gas production, Mrs Premruthai said.
Gas production would continue as usual while oil production would drop slightly, she said.
There are 420 petroleum exploration and production platforms in the gulf and about 3,000-4,000 people normally work there. They produce about 2.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 100,000 barrels of oil per day.
Chevron stated that its evacuation started on Jan 1 and would be finished in a few days. PTTEP said its evacuation began on Dec 31.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said he ordered relevant officials to be prepared for five-metre-tall waves, protect power transmission and public utilities and drain water into the sea in advance. (TNA)
