He said the ministry had a policy of ensuring the security of energy supplies by securing natural gas and oil from a diversity of sources. The government will encourage the private sector to invest jointly in energy projects with countries in the Middle East by using diplomatic mechanisms to pave the way for cooperation.

PTT Plc, for instance, has already explored business opportunities in Middle East countries and plans to expand elsewhere, such as Egypt, Sudan and Morocco.

Recently, the ministry has visited three countries in the Middle East - Oman, Iran and the UAE - to follow up on cooperation and look for ways to develop oil and natural-gas resources in these countries. If successful, foreign energy supplies should ease the problem of rising oil prices.

During a recent trip to Oman, for instance, the ministry witnessed a signing ceremony for a profit-sharing agreement for the 58th track of an oilfield for which PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) won a bid to develop. It was the second oilfield track for PTTEP in Oman.

The ministry was also briefed about petroleum production from the Shams source, the 44th track of the oilfield. It's expected the track will start generating natural gas and crude oil in October, with an initial capacity of 4,000 barrels a day.

Viset also talked to Iranian Oil Minister Seyyed Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh about a future plan to cooperate on energy projects between Thailand and Iran.

Viset said he also met with UAE's energy minister to discuss a future plan to acquire more oil condensate from the UAE. The UAE supplies around 35 per cent of Thailand's crude oil.