You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

March 25, 2020

23rd Round of Petroleum Bidding for Exploration and Production Delayed Indefinitely Due to COVID-19 Outbreak

Subscribe to Updates

The Ministry of Energy has issued an order to delay the 23rd round of bidding for petroleum exploration and production, as reported on the official website of the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF). The 23rd round of bidding involved three exploration blocks in the Gulf of Thailand, and was previously expected to open in early April 2020, with the DMF set to return their final decision regarding concessions within the end of 2020. The delayed round of bidding would have reportedly been the first round in 13 years.

However, the Ministry of Energy has now announced that the scheduled date for opening up the 23rd round of bidding will now be delayed indefinitely, due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and due to the global decline in oil prices, both of which might discourage potential investors. In particular, the countermeasures taken to reduce the crossborder spread of COVID-19 have included restrictions on international travel, and foreign companies engaging in the petroleum exploration and production business will face significant difficulties in travelling into Thailand for the time being.

The Director-General of the DMF has announced that the date for the 23rd round of bidding will be delayed until the COVID-19 situation has alleviated, and international travel has returned to normal.

Related Professionals

Industries

Energy

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

November 24, 2015
Two years ago, the Private Investment in State Undertaking Act B.E. 2556 (2013) (PISUA) replaced the Private Participation in State Undertaking Act B.E. 2535 (1992) (PPSUA), which set out the criteria for a private party to jointly operate a government project. There were calls to replace the PPSUA because the law had a convoluted project approval process that discouraged private investment. During its 21-year lifespan, only 40 projects were completed under the PPSUA.
Read More
November 13, 2015
In August 2014, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced a new scheme aimed at expanding solar power generation to meet the government’s Alternative Energy Development Plan.To encourage more solar power generation, the scheme allows the establishment of solar farms through public-private partnerships, which are funded and operated by the government or agricultural cooperatives as public partners, with the private sector as project supporters.
Read More
June 3, 2015
The first edition of Global Agriculture Law, a Q&A-style guide that provides detailed overviews of agriculture law worldwide, has been published. The guide covers key practical issues, including those affecting agricultural companies and cooperatives, land ownership and usage rights, tax and financing, crop seed business, plant variety right protection, GM crops, importing animals, gene patents, and product liability.The Thailand chapter, written by lawyers at Tilleke & Gibbins, delves into the following main issues:
Read More
June 3, 2015
Global Agriculture Law (1st Ed.), a guide that presents a Q&A-style overview of agriculture law in 22 jurisdictions around the world, has been published. The Vietnam chapter of the guide, written by Kien Trung Trinh, Dung Thi Kim Vu, and Linh Duy Mai of Tilleke & Gibbins, covers key practical issues including those related to agricultural policy, acquisition of agricultural companies, acquisition of agricultural land, crop seed business, plant variety rights, genetically modified crops, importing animals and gene patents, and agricultural safety and product liability.
Read More