Unocal Thailand president Randy Howard explained that the need for the expansion was brought about by the fact that its resource potential has more than doubled its original oil resources estimates. According to Howard, the potential could now approach 100 million bbl of oil.

The company's proposed Phase II will increase production to 40,000 barrels per day. Furthermore, wells and other facilities - including an 850,000 bbl-capacity floating storage and offloading vessel will also be constructed. Should the permission be given, all these facilities will be fully installed and operational by mid 2005.