In a statement Unocal Thailand President Tara Tiradnakorn said, “[We have] completed successful delineation drilling in the South Gomin operating area. The delineation drilling program involved three follow-up wells that encountered 195, 183 and 95 feet of net natural gas pay.”

“The original South Gomin well (South Gomin-1) established that a working petroleum system was present. As the Thai market is now ready for more gas, we have confirmed the commerciality of the area with three very successful follow-up wells.

The company has said it has held talks with several “Thai agencies” in order to increase the volumes of gas over current contracted volumes in lieu of the country’s third pipeline project, which will be used to transport gas from the Gulf to the shore.

Unocal hopes to execute “an accelerated delineation drilling programme of 30 to 45 wells over the period 2005 to 2007” once agreements are reached.

According to Tara, “The accelerated delineation programme is expected to confirm additional reserves of domestic gas to further promote the kingdom’s energy independence, increase Thailand’s reserves to production (R/P) ratio as well as to provide feedstock for the forthcoming expansion of the Thai petrochemical industry, the so-called Third Wave.”