Unocal Thailand started crude oil production in Thailand in August of last year under a $US280 million, six-year development plan. Current output is around approximately 9,000 bpd and the company can increase crude production once the licence for the Yala field has been approved by Thai authorities.
Industry watchers have speculated that Thailand's Industry Ministry has delayed approving the licence to pressure Unocal into reducing the price of natural gas it sells to oil and gas conglomerate, PTT PCL.
Perth-based engineering contractor, Clough Group, through its strategic alliance with Unocal Thailand and Unithai Shipyard and Engineering Limited, is heavily involved in the Gulf of Thailand.
Mid last year, the 50 per cent Clough-owned joint venture company, Clough-Unithai Engineering Ltd (CUEL), was awarded $55 million in second return contracts from Unocal to design and build wellhead platforms and subsea pipelines in the Gulf of Thailand.
