LCB Ruby Project to maintain Yadana natural gas project
France-based Total has started the explorations at three oil and gas projects it has been awarded in Myanmar, including LCB Ruby, which is expected to complement supply from the nearby Yadana project beyond 2020.
“Right now, we are implementing the LCB Ruby Project. It is located beside the Yadana project. About US$800 million [Bt28.8 billion] have been invested in it,” said Xavier Preel, general manager of Total E&P Myanmar Co, which operates the Yadana gas project.
“Natural gas produced from this project is aimed to maintain the Yadana project’s gas output beyond 2020. We also have a plan for the YWB Deepwater Site in 2016,” he added.
The three exploration projects Total plans to implement are the LCB Ruby Project, the YWB Deepwater Site and the A6 Deepwater Site near Ngwe Saung. Most of the gas from these projects is earmarked for sale to Thailand.
“The next one is the A6 Deepwater Site near Ngwe Saung, which [is] still in the research stage. We have expectations because if these are successful, they will also bring valuable success to Myanmar,” Preel said.
“The gas from these projects will mostly be sold to Thailand. The Yadana natural-gas pipeline will remain even after its 30-year lifetime,” he added.
A total of 800 million cubic feet of natural gas is sent to Thailand every day from the Yadana project. About 200 million cubic feet are distributed in Myanmar daily. The distribution contract is valid until 2020, Preel said.
The Yadana natural-gas project, under a 20-year concession, is operated in cooperation with PTT Exploration and Production, Unocal, Total, and the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise.
