Thailand mulls action to halt petroleum exports
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Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has assigned the Energy Ministry's Department of Mineral Fuels and oil refiners to discuss a possible halt in petroleum exports, in light of heated debates on energy situation in Thailand.
Puangthip Silpasart, deputy director-general of the department, said today that the prime minister said that a possible halt would assist the country while energy reforms are underway.
At present, Thailand exports about 12,000 barrels a day of crude oil.
Puangthep noted that Thailand's crude oil exports have been on the downward trend, as Thailand is a net-importing country. However, export activities cover mainly crude oil of which specification does not match local refiners' demand and Thailand's environmental standards.
PTT Group which owns the country's biggest refiners in Thailand has been under heavy attacks. Many Thais, mostly social network users, expressed that petroleum found in the territory should be reserved for local use. They believed that such would help reduce domestic pump prices.
According to data from the Energy Policy and Planning Office, in 2013 Thailand produced 240,639 barrels of crude oil per day and imported 868,040 barrels. Exports averaged 25,284 barrels a day.
In the first six months of this year, the production averaged 232,735 barrels. Imports totalled 803,007 barrels while exports dropped to 12,424 barrels.
