The Energy Ministry expects to push forward its licensing plan for offshore petroleum exploration and production (E&P) activities for private companies in 2020.
This new round of licensing, called Round 21, will allocate resources in the Gulf of Thailand.
Kulit Sombatsiri, the permanent energy secretary, said the ministry approved setting up a working group to carry out this plan after the government postponed the time frame for Round 21 over 12 years.
The country completed the E&P licensing for Round 20 in 2008 and planned to begin participation of Round 21 in 2007, with a total of 29 licences delayed because of political instability and economic slowdowns, according to a report from the Mineral Fuels Department.
Many advocates have called for a delay and revision of the country's petroleum laws from an E&P concession to a production-sharing contract.
In June 2017, two revised laws -- the Petroleum Act and Petroleum Income Tax Act -- were enacted. The government then opened bidding for the Erawan and Bongkot gas fields in 2018.
Round 21 was later scheduled to take place in mid-2019, but that was again postponed.
"This new round will open for offshore resources only after the Erawan and Bongkot gas fields finalise contracts in February with PTT Exploration and Production," Mr Kulit said.
Sarawut Kaewtathip, the director-general of the Mineral Fuels Department, said licence participation from private companies for onshore petroleum resources in northern, northeastern and central provinces has yet to be settled because of legal obstacles regarding agricultural lands that have plenty of underground petroleum.
"The department was ordered by the ministry to prepare for Round 21 and invite interested companies," said Mr Sarawut.
He said tentative conditions for Round 21 will be similar to the latest Erawan and Bongkot bids. More importantly, the round will include production-sharing contracts. This move should expand oil and gas reserves in the country.