By an OGJ correspondent
BANGKOK, Jan. 17 -- PTT Exploration & Production PLC (PTTEP) plans to ramp up its natural gas output from Arthit gas field in the Gulf of Thailand by 120 MMcfd, or 36%, to meet Thailand's rising gas demand.
In a 3-year program beginning in August, the extra production will come from sister field Arthit North.
Arthit North's output will supplement delivery from the main field, whose production of 330 MMcfd of gas and 22,000 b/d of condensate has been delayed by construction constraints until February (OGJ, May 12, 2006, Newsletter).
PTTEP will use a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel to support production startup at Arthit North. Development will include the installation of three well-head platforms, and the drilling of 27 development wells.
Gas production from Arthit North and the main Arthit is sold to parent PTT PLC, Thailand's largest petroleum group.
The country's 2008 gas consumption is expected to grow by 12.4% year-on-year to 3.9 bcf, according to the Thai Energy Ministry's latest forecast.
