Thailand’s Energy Policy Administration Committee has agreed to guidelines in driving the country to be the region’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading hub. The guidelines were the result of a study assigned by the government-appointed energy reform committee to state-owned oil and gas company PTT PCL.
Thailand would start full commercial trading in late 2020 or early 2021, after starting the trial in the first quarter of next year.
The trial will cover an LNG reload system and the filling of LNG-fuelled vessels while also revises the relevant rules and create intra-regional cooperation on the LNG trading.
Energy Minister Sontirat Songtijirawong estimated the measure would generate THB165 billion (USD5 billion) for the country’s economy in the 2020-2030 period.
Thailand has a strong potential to be an LNG hub due to its strategic geographical location, its high LNG demand, and its supportive regional LNG trading infrastructure.
