PTTEP temporarily suspends operations

BANGKOK, November 8 (TNA) - PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), a subsidiary of PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), Thailand's largest petroleum firm, has temporarily suspended its operations in the Gulf of Thailand on high expectations of heavy rain in southern Thailand, which should start from Saturday until next Monday. PTTEP announced on Friday (Nov 7) that the company has been monitoring the weather situation round-the-clock, following an official weather forecast that a depression is moving toward the Gulf of Thailand, and it has also coordinated with outside agencies for cooperation. According to the announcement, PTTEP is still producing natural gas from its three wells in the Gulf of Thailand, but it has temporarily suspended operations off the coast and has moved necessary equipment, including floating vessels, to safe places to prevent damage. PTTEP said all of its workers stationing at drilling platforms have also been ordered to return to the coast and the firm has prepared measures to cope with any emergency situation. In another development, Fisheries Department Director-General Dr. Joompol Sanguansin told journalists that the ongoing volatility of weather in Thailand, in which the northern and the northeastern regions are now cold while the South is experiencing torrential rain, is, therefore, causing a sharp difference of water temperatures and affecting the water quality. Joompol cautioned that marine animals, especially fish, could become weak and contract diseases, suggesting that fish raisers reduce the amount of food given to their fish by 10–15 per cent, while those raising fish near the coast should move their fish to deeper water. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a warning, saying that a low pressure system is arriving over the Gulf of Thailand and southernmost areas, which is expected to bring strong winds, torrential rain and, probably, flooding in affected areas from November 8-10. (TNA)