As part of its growing energy needs, Thailand is investing in the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal with an initial capacity of five million metric tonnes a year which is expected to be completed in 2011.

This was revealed by Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul during the ongoing Gastech-2009 conference and exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

“Thailand’s current offshore and onshore pipeline networks are capable of handling over 5.7 billion cubic feet [of gas] per day.

“Plans are also underway for the fourth onshore pipeline and the expansion of the pipeline network that will expand our combined transmission capacity to over 7 billion cubic feet per day in the future which will enable us to support the growing demand for the next decades,” said Channukul.

“We will need closer international cooperation in technology development and innovation at all levels and across all stakeholders to optimise the full potential of natural gas for energy efficiency to broaden our economic horizons and meet tomorrow’s challenges,” he added.

Channukul said the Royal Thai government will continue to forge ahead in both the domestic and international gas arenas and continue to play an important role in establishing Thailand as “the world-class gas hub in Southeast Asia.”

(Gulf News)