Govt to hold energy forum Feb 20

Govt to hold energy forum Feb 20

The government has agreed to hold a central forum to exchange opinions on the 21st round of bidding for concessions for oil and gas exploration on Friday at Government House, government deputy spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Sunday.

Maj Gen Sansern said the forum will be held at the Santi Maitree Building in the Government House compound, starting at 9.30am.

"The government is concerned about information on petroleum exploration and production given to the public. The information is from two sides. The information from the two sides is the same on some points and different on the others.

"Therefore, the government has decided to hold a central forum for all concerned to clear the differences and all doubts. A summary from the forum will then be supplied to the government, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), the National Reform Council (NRC) and members the public in all sectors," he said.

The deputy government spokesman said it was hoped the forum would get answers and suggest solutions to the country's energy problems. The highest goal is for the country to get the most benefit, he added.

The government, after consulting with the Energy Ministry, had agreed to extend the period for the submission of the applications for the 21st rounds of bidding on petroleum concessions.

The Energy Ministry will announce the extension period later, Maj Gen Sansern said.

The 21st round of petroleum and gas exploration covers 29 gas and oil resource blocks, of which 23 are offshore and six onshore.

The period for the government to receive bid applications was initially set to end on Wednesday, Feb 18, after it began on Oct 21 last year.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said last week that the bidding process would proceed as planned while authorities would hold talks with critics to settle their differences.

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