Natural gas has finally become a reality in Thailand. Natural gas was first discovered in the Gulf of Thailand in 1972 when the Union Oil Co. of Thailand, working together with the South East Asia Petroleum Exploration Co. of Japan , drilled an exploratory well at a depth of 11560 feet in the Off shore petroleum area Block 12, better known as the Erawan Field. Natural gas came to Rayong Province by pipeline on September 12, 1981.
Natural gas has many important uses in Thailand. For example, it will fuel two power plants of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. Beside being a direct fuel, it can also be separate and processed and the many products derived from it can be further used for various purposes, such as for cooking gas and the plastics industry : it is even one of the raw materials used in chemical fertilizer plants. The natural gas industry will not only help reduce the country’s dependence on oil imports , but will also play an important role in the development of the country’s economy.
It is expected that production from the Erawan Field, where Union Oil is located , should continue for at least 25 years.