The Yadana gas field contains more than 150 billion cubic meters of natural gas and has an expected field life of over 30 years.[1] In 2009, the output averaged 780 million cubic feet per day (22×106 m3/d).[2]
The gas field lies around 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) beneath the seabed in the water depth around 40 metres (130 ft). The offshore production complex consist of two remote wellhead platforms, one bridge-linked wellhead platform, a production platform, a living quarters platform, and a medium compression platform. Produced gas is exported through two pipelines. The first, 409-kilometre-long (254 mi) pipeline runs 346 kilometres (215 mi) underwater from Yadana to Daminseik at the coast. From there, a 63-kilometre (39 mi) onshore section runs to the Thai border. The onshore section crosses a region inhabited by the Karen, a minority ethnic group hostile to the government.[3] Construction of the pipeline was completed in 1998 and it cost US$1.2 billion.[4] This pipeline has capacity of 500 million cubic feet per day (14×106 m3/d).[2]
The second, 287-kilometre-long (178 mi) pipeline from the Yadana to Yangon was inaugurated on 12 June 2010. The 24-inch (610 mm) pipeline has 151-kilometre-long (94 mi) offshore and 136 kilometres (85 mi) long onshore sections.[5] The pipeline has capacity of 150 million cubic feet per day (4.2×106 m3/d).[2]