LPG imports likely reach 1.5 ml tonnes in 2010

BANGKOK, 26 November 2009 (NNT) – Imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will possibly rise to 1.5 million tonnes next year if the PTT’s 6th gas separation plant could not be operated in the fourth quarter of 2009 as originallly planned, according to PTT Plc executive vice-president Sriwan Earmrungroj.

Ms Sriwan stated that the firm’s separation plant is one of the 76 investment projects in Rayong’s Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, which have been temporarily suspended by the injunction issued by the Administrative Court. He said the people had currently turned to using LPG powered vehicles due to skyrocketting global oil prices, which resulted in increasing imported amounts to serve the rising demand.

In addition, Ms Sriwan projected that total LPG imports for this year would stand at approximately 800,000 tonnes, higher than the estimate of 600,000-700,000 tonnes. The imports could also jump to about 1.5 million tonnes in 2010 in case the new gas separation plant could not start operation in the fourth quarter of this year as scheduled. She said however if the timeframe is met, the imports of LPG next year would be only about one million tonnes.