Pakarang

Location

The Pakarang field is situated in the Gulf of Thailand, specifically in the central and southern parts of the block that includes several other significant gas fields such as Satun, Erawan, Trat, Funan, and Gomin.

Geology and Petroleum System

The Gulf of Thailand, where the Pakarang field is located, is characterized by Cenozoic sedimentary basins formed by normal faulting, resulting in graben and half-graben geometries oriented in a north-south direction. The area is divided into two main groups of basins by the Ko Kra Ridge, with the eastern part being the most successful for petroleum exploration and production. The Pakarang field falls within this productive region, which includes the Pattani Basin and the North Malay Basin.

Production and Reserves

The Pakarang field is primarily a gas field, although it may also produce condensate. As of the end of 2016, the Gulf of Thailand, where Pakarang is located, had significant proven reserves: 6.60 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas, 122.7 million barrels of crude oil, and 170.68 million barrels of oil equivalent of condensate.

Development and Operations

The development of the Pakarang field is part of a broader program involving multiple fields in the Gulf of Thailand. This includes plans for drilling development wells, installing wellhead platforms, and laying infield pipelines. For example, the overall development program in the Gulf of Thailand involved drilling 489 development wells, 52 appraisal/delineation wells, and completing 21 tie-backs between 1996 and 2000.

Operators and Concessions

The field is operated under concessions granted by the Thai government. PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) and other international companies, such as Unocal (now part of Chevron), have been involved in the exploration and production activities in the Gulf of Thailand. The specific concession details for the Pakarang field are not provided in the sources, but it is managed within the framework of Thailand's petroleum concession system.

Infrastructure and Pipeline Projects

The development of the Pakarang field is supported by various infrastructure projects, including offshore and onshore pipelines. For instance, there are plans for offshore pipelines connecting other fields in the Gulf of Thailand, such as the proposed offshore pipeline from the Malay-Thai Joint Development Area (JDA) to the Erawan field, and a pipeline from the Pailin gas field to southern Songkhla province.

Economic and Strategic Importance

The Pakarang field, along with other fields in the Gulf of Thailand, plays a crucial role in Thailand's energy sector. The production from these fields accounts for a significant portion of Thailand's total domestic production, with the Gulf of Thailand contributing 90.5% of the country's total domestic production as of 2016.

In summary, the Pakarang field is an integral part of Thailand's natural gas production in the Gulf of Thailand, contributing to the country's energy security and economic development through its significant gas reserves and ongoing production activities.