crude output

"We're certain crude-oil and gas output will reach 250,000bpd in 2011 as expected," Mineral Fuels Department director-general Krairit Nilkuha said yesterday.

Next month, block A8 in the JDA will produce an additional 300 million cubic feet per day of natural gas for gas-separation plants in Rayong province.

The block already supplies 390mcfpd to Malaysia and 100mcfpd to the Chana power plant in Songkhla province.

Late next year, 270mcfpd will come on stream from block B17.

Starting this month in the Gulf of Thailand, more than 10,000bpd of crude oil are being drilled from the Bualuang Field, double the target of 5,000bpd.

That field is expected to play a greater role in the future.

Crude-oil supply from the Songkhla Field will rise 5,000bpd this year along with an increase in gas supply from the North Arthit Field next year and the South Bongkot Field in 2012.

This month, the petroleum committee will give its initial approval for investment in 10 petroleum blocks.

It is also considering new blocks to be included in the 21st round of petroleum bidding, while estimating investor interest, Krairit added.