Bangkok--9 Aug--PTT
PTT Head Office — H.E. Mr. Viset Choopiban, Minister of Energy, today presided over the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the cooperation to support the expansion of NGV service stations between PTT Plc and Petronas Retail (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
The two sides were represented by Mr. Prasert Bunsumpun and Mr. Mohd Aidnil Bin Adbul Razak.
The objective of this MOU is to jointly expand the number of NGV service stations, thereby easing NGV motorists’ access to refueling outlets. Under the MOU, PTT will invest in NGV equipment in Petronas service stations whereas Petronas will provide the locations for the refueling and offtaking of NGV from PTT.
The PTT President said, “This joint effort between the two national oil companies will lead to greater convenience for the public and transport operators who choose to use NGV.” PTT and Petronas together command a large number of service stations in Bangkok and its perimeter, as well as in provincial areas. PTT previously joined hands with Bangchak Petroleum Plc in a similar effort. Under its NGV Road Map, PTT aims to keep adding service stations to instill greater confidence and facilitate motorists, from the current nationwide total of 66 to about 200 by year-end, and to 740 by 2010. “Besides building NGV service stations of its own, PTT has sought cooperation from other oil companies and traders currently running LPG outlets to expand their services on the NGV side. These traders include SUSCO, TPI, and Siam Gas. As for cooperation with other oil companies, such as Conoco, Shell, Esso, and Caltex, negotiations are ongoing with a favorable outlook, as everyone recognizes the value of cooperation with PTT to alleviate the hardship faced by the public while helping the country cut oil imports and trade deficits. Similar signing is expected soon.
“Concerning buses, trucks, and other large vehicles, which are also suffering from elevated diesel prices, if they face difficulties in obtaining credit for NGV conversion from commercial banks, PTT will step in and administer credit extension, starting from August 15 this year. This is to lessen their burdens and encourage more motorists to turn to NGV. Until December 2007, PTT is keeping the price of NGV at 8.50 baht per kg throughout the country despite rising retail prices of all oil products. PTT guarantees that even with rising oil prices, it will put a ceiling on the price of NGV at half of the diesel price,” the PTT President added. More information is available at PTT NGV Call Center, at telephone number 1365 (extension 5).
Mr. Mohd Aidnil Bin Adbul Razak, Petronas Retail Managing Director / CEO, said, “Since this project benefits the overall economy of Thailand, Petronas is pleased to be a part of it, to allow the public to choose an alternative fuel made from indigenous resources in line with government policy. This effort will in time add convenience and shorten refueling time, particularly for taxis — currently the main users of NGV who regularly seek refueling at about the same time. Petronas aims to have eight stations in Bangkok and its perimeter as pilot projects this year. The number will rise to 20 in Bangkok and the provinces in 2007, and to 30 by the end of 2008.”
For additional information, call the Public Relations Section
Exploration, Production, and Gas Business Group
PTT Plc
Tel. 0-2537-3217
Fax 0-2537-3211