Oil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolved

[Lite Beer]

Oil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolved

BANGKOK: -- Oil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolvedOil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolvedOil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolvedOil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolved

Friday’s panel discussion on the 21st round of petroleum exploration and exploitation concession at the Government House has ended trouble-free but the two opposing sides namely the Energy Ministry on the one hand and the people’s sector on the other remain as divided as ever over the issue.
The format of the discussion allowed four representatives from each side to take to the floor to air their views. The Energy Ministry was represented by deputy permanent secretary Khuruchit Nakhonthap, Mr Manoon Sirivan of the National Legislative Assembly, Mr Banyong Pongpanich, director of the state enterprises policy and supervisory board and Mr Siripong Supakitjanusorn, an independent legal expert.

Representing the people’s sector were former finance minister Thirachai Puvanartnaruban, M.L. Kornkasivat Kasemsri, director of Energy Policy and Resources Research Centre of Rangsit University, academic Mr Nop Sattayasai and Ms Rosana Kosittrakul, a member of the National Reform Council.

Among the VIPs who attended the session were Energy Minister Narongchai Akaraseranee and Demcrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

First taking the floor, Mr Thirachai questioned why the Energy Ministry did not amend the relevant laws before opening the concession bidding, pointing out that proceeding with the auction now would only make it more difficult for the future government to negotiate with the concessionaires.

Answering the question, Mr Khuruchit explained that the petroleum act had been amended for six times and that the Thailand 3 plus system was appropriate for Thailand. He stressed the need to call the bid now pointing that current natural gas reserves were depleting.

Mr Manoon of the NLA said he agreed with the suggestion of amending the petroleum law but this should be done after the holding of the bidding because of amendment process would take time.

M.L KasiKornkasivat, meanwhile, assured that the people’s sector did not oppose oil exploration or wanted to delay the exploration but merely wanted to fix certain disadvantageous points.

Mr Nop said oil exploration and exploitation should be separated. He suggested that Thailand should be given more options apart from concession contract among them production sharing contract.

Both sides were allowed to air their views freely during the four-hour discussion. There was however no resolution to the contentious issue.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/oil-concession-discussion-ends-issue-remains-far-resolved

-- Thai PBS 2015-02-20

[Plowman]

This issue is probably going to be the one that destroys the ultra right wing coalition currently oppressing the nation from the inside. Expect remnants of the PAD / PDRC / Pitak Siam to take to the streets in defiance of their military overlords. Sit back Thaksin, take it easy mate, these idiots are going to self destruct and leave you as the last man standing. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

[bangrak]

Bottom lime, in its 'autocratic' ways, the present Government of 'specialists' (maybe, but alas for sure not in leading a country's affairs as it should), will end up doing what it had said it would, to please the 'oil barons' of PTT and consorts, ..., not to forget 'big players' like Thaksin and his Shins' clan.

When money talks here (and that's what petroleum and gas are about, before anything else, mind you), who cares a dime about the State, the general population, the citizens, the taxpayers? Ooink, ooink, the trough must be filled up, is the call from the ... (bah, can't even write it, or my post will for sure end up in the bin!).

[bangrak]

This issue is probably going to be the one that destroys the ultra right wing coalition currently oppressing the nation from the inside. Expect remnants of the PAD / PDRC / Pitak Siam to take to the streets in defiance of their military overlords. Sit back Thaksin, take it easy mate, these idiots are going to self destruct and leave you as the last man standing. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Sigh, where do I get the motivation from to react on your ...'contribution', maybe, probably, because you're quite 'new' here.

We had, and, alas, still have, a load of obsessed, biased, destructive propagandists here, and there are evident signs many valuable contributors here before, with common sense, and intellect, able to relativate, to nuanciate, to come up with positive ideas, or, to oppose in an articulated way, to offer alternatives, are progressively turning their back to TV. ...Because of people no better than you, is my guess, as what you have written here is desperately pure, concentrated, ...!

What is according to your 'sources' (or 'inspirators'?) probably going to happen, what you tell us to expect, is simply, plain, absurd.

And that line about Thaksin, oh my, while he is an important player in this ongoing ugly energy sources 'game', but you didn't know that, did you? True idiots they'd indeed be when they'd end up (like I alas expect) playing in his cards, reinforcing the position he's manipulated himself in, with the ill acquired participations he already has, in Thai waters, and with Hun Sen (his good friend, the Cambodian dictator, 'next door', you know that, don't you?)...

'The last man standing'... far enough then, not to end up behind bars for the rest of his life, will it be 'amnesty', or statue of limitation, hmm?

Learn to form an opinion of your own, and so long, please do me a favour, you go shoot some fish in a barrel, and don't hurt yourself, too much, because when you'd know as much about that as you do about the rest...

[Plowman]

This issue is probably going to be the one that destroys the ultra right wing coalition currently oppressing the nation from the inside. Expect remnants of the PAD / PDRC / Pitak Siam to take to the streets in defiance of their military overlords. Sit back Thaksin, take it easy mate, these idiots are going to self destruct and leave you as the last man standing. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Sigh, where do I get the motivation from to react on your ...'contribution', maybe, probably, because you're quite 'new' here.

We had, and, alas, still have, a load of obsessed, biased, destructive propagandists here, and there are evident signs many valuable contributors here before, with common sense, and intellect, able to relativate, to nuanciate, to come up with positive ideas, or, to oppose in an articulated way, to offer alternatives, are progressively turning their back to TV. ...Because of people no better than you, is my guess, as what you have written here is desperately pure, concentrated, ...!

What is according to your 'sources' (or 'inspirators'?) probably going to happen, what you tell us to expect, is simply, plain, absurd.

And that line about Thaksin, oh my, while he is an important player in this ongoing ugly energy sources 'game', but you didn't know that, did you? True idiots they'd indeed be when they'd end up (like I alas expect) playing in his cards, reinforcing the position he's manipulated himself in, with the ill acquired participations he already has, in Thai waters, and with Hun Sen (his good friend, the Cambodian dictator, 'next door', you know that, don't you?)...

'The last man standing'... far enough then, not to end up behind bars for the rest of his life, will it be 'amnesty', or statue of limitation, hmm?

Learn to form an opinion of your own, and so long, please do me a favour, you go shoot some fish in a barrel, and don't hurt yourself, too much, because when you'd know as much about that as you do about the rest...

Heads up, relativate and nuanciate are not words, my intelligent and value contributing friend.

[bangrak]

This issue is probably going to be the one that destroys the ultra right wing coalition currently oppressing the nation from the inside. Expect remnants of the PAD / PDRC / Pitak Siam to take to the streets in defiance of their military overlords. Sit back Thaksin, take it easy mate, these idiots are going to self destruct and leave you as the last man standing. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Sigh, where do I get the motivation from to react on your ...'contribution', maybe, probably, because you're quite 'new' here.

We had, and, alas, still have, a load of obsessed, biased, destructive propagandists here, and there are evident signs many valuable contributors here before, with common sense, and intellect, able to relativate, to nuanciate, to come up with positive ideas, or, to oppose in an articulated way, to offer alternatives, are progressively turning their back to TV. ...Because of people no better than you, is my guess, as what you have written here is desperately pure, concentrated, ...!

What is according to your 'sources' (or 'inspirators'?) probably going to happen, what you tell us to expect, is simply, plain, absurd.

And that line about Thaksin, oh my, while he is an important player in this ongoing ugly energy sources 'game', but you didn't know that, did you? True idiots they'd indeed be when they'd end up (like I alas expect) playing in his cards, reinforcing the position he's manipulated himself in, with the ill acquired participations he already has, in Thai waters, and with Hun Sen (his good friend, the Cambodian dictator, 'next door', you know that, don't you?)...

'The last man standing'... far enough then, not to end up behind bars for the rest of his life, will it be 'amnesty', or statue of limitation, hmm?

Learn to form an opinion of your own, and so long, please do me a favour, you go shoot some fish in a barrel, and don't hurt yourself, too much, because when you'd know as much about that as you do about the rest...

Heads up, relativate and nuanciate are not words, my intelligent and value contributing friend.

So sorry you didn't understand what I meant, when you would have you would no doubt have served me with an intelligent, more elaborate and to-the-point answer concerning what I wrote. To allow you to, let's just say the adjective 'relative' and the noun 'nuance' could have put you on track, and I will tell English and American friends using those verbal forms you don't accept it, as it 'are not words', but maybe they will tell me it are neologisms, and who am I to know, English being a third, or fourth, language, for me...

[Lite Beer]

Call for a referendum
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Energy Ministry says looming crisis is reason why concessions must go ahead

THE People's Network for Energy Reform Opponents, which opposes plans for new oil and gas exploration concessions, has suggested a national referendum be held to resolve an escalating conflict over the issue.

The idea was one of three proposals for the government to consider before going ahead with a further round of concessions.

Meanwhile, representatives nominated by the public sector say a looming energy crisis is the reason why the bidding process should go ahead as soon as possible.

The Energy Ministry has extended the deadline for drilling exploration bids from February 18 to March 16 pending further discussion.

The two sides agreed at a forum yesterday that both the petroleum exploration concession and production sharing contract (PSC) systems had their benefits, and that there were flaws in the current Petroleum Act that should be amended.

However, they were unable to agree on whether the government should continue with the 21st round of bidding next month, or delay it by two to three years to allow for regulatory reform.

"Representatives from the public sector already admitted that there are flaws surrounding the current Petroleum Act that have to be corrected, so why not amend it now? I have proposed a national referendum or a poll, which would specifically ask whether or not the Petroleum Act should be amended to make it more transparent, before the 21st round of concessions," said former finance minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, who represented "the people's" side of the argument at the forum.

National Reform Council member Rosana Tositrakul proposed an executive decree for reforming the Petroleum Act, which she said would lessen the length of time needed to reform the regulations within the current Act.

Academic ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri said the government should spend around Bt5 billion to conduct its own initial exploration, which would provide bidders with more information to assess their risks.

He argued that this would attract more bidders and support healthy competition.

The People's Network for Energy Reform also asked for a production sharing system to be included in the regulations of the Petroleum Act, to provide more options for future exploration of natural resources besides the concession system.

"Bt5 billion is only one per cent of the total value of [revenue from] petroleum in one year, and if the government was expecting to spend Bt900 billion on the water-management programme, how come it cannot spend this much to explore for natural resources in our country?" Rosana said.

Energy Ministry deputy permanent secretary Kurujit Nakornthap, who represented the public sector at the forum, said: "The public sector has already clarified today that some of the [perceived] flaws within the regulations of the Petroleum Act do not really exist and most, if not all, of them are tax regulations. But the People's Network for Energy Reform cannot even show us today what kind of production sharing contract they really want."

He said minor tax flaws in the regulations did not mean that the concession system should be replaced by a PSC (production sharing contract) system - the fact the country faces an energy crisis meant that it could not afford to wait any longer.

Any amendment to the regulations could be done in parallel with the exploration process, while there is no guarantee that any natural resources will be found from this round of exploration, he added.

The public-sector side said that 65 per cent of the petroleum discovered in Thailand was from the first round of exploration alone, while the proven reserves of natural gas found in the country would be depleted within seven years.

Meanwhile, neighbouring countries, especially Myanmar, are less likely to increase the amount of energy they export, since their economies are expanding, Kurujit said.

Kiatnakin Bank CEO Banyong Pongpanich, who supported the sale of PTT shares back in 2001, said he disagreed with a referendum on the issue since the arguments against the concession and regulatory flaws had already been clarified.

He told the forum that if no oil or gas were found after reserves ran out, the country would have to increase the amount of energy being imported, which could eventually increase the costs of logistics and electricity by around 30-40 per cent.Banyong is a member of the "super-board' overseeing state enterprises.

Representatives from the public sector also said there were many risks - both financial and security - when it came to the exploration of natural resources, and the private sector had more expertise in this field. So, the private sector would have more chance of finding new resources.

The results of yesterday's discussion will be presented to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, and then to the Cabinet.

Both sides agreed to form a joint committee to oversee the issues that were raised before coming up with solutions before the next deadline for petroleum exploration bids, on March 16.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Call-for-a-referendum-30254579.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-21

[Srikcir]

Thailand needs to stay with the concession system and avoid the PSA. But more importantly it needs to CANCEL THE SALE.

Thailand's offshore limited and unrenewable oil & gas resources are currently selling "dirt cheap." Thailand would do better for its energy security to get as long term resource contracts from oil & gas export countries as possible at close to today's prices.

There is no rationale for the Junta to be pushing for this concession sale other than to give it some quick capital injection into the Thai economy. Then maybe the Junta can give the rubber farmers another gift for their political loyalties, or give the public more free movies and televised soccer games in exchange for their complacency over the loss of threir rights and liberty.

[Digitalbanana]

No update on this story. Reuters saying delayed indefinitely, ie no longer planned 16March previous delay dates.