PTTEP didn't pay bribes: Energy Minister
Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal insisted on Tuesday that PTT Exploration and Production did not pay bribes in return for exploration concessions in Myanmar.
He said that PTTEP had been doing business in Myanmar for over 20 years and had paid concession fees as specified in the contract, without paying any extra sum to any person close to the government. PTTEP's financial results are regularly audited by the Office of the Auditor General's.
Myanmar Times reported on August 4 that concerns over the transparency of new oil and gas concessions were behind the downfall of former Minister for Energy U Than Htay and his deputy, U Htin Aung.
Than Htay was transferred to the Ministry of Rail Transportation, following controversial decisions over the awarding of exploration licenses and production concessions.
Myanmar earlier this year awarded two deep-water blocks, MD-7 and MD-8, to PTTEP.
