Thailand wants to build $28.7 billion oil refinery in Vietnam

Nov 26th at 21:28

26-11-2012 21:28:26+07:00

The biggest oil and gas producer in Thailand is considering building a giant petrochemical complex in central Vietnam.

According to the statement of the Petroleum Corporation of Thailand (PTT), they want to build a refinery with a capacity of 660,000 barrels per day in Nhon Hoi Industrial Zone in Binh Dinh Province. With this output, this will be one of the world's largest oil refineries. The total investment is expected at $28.7 billion, according to Dow Jones Newswire.

On November 22, the website of the People's Committee of Binh Dinh Province also said that the provincial officials met with Mr. Sukrit Surabotsopon – PTT Deputy Director General, to listen to his introduction of the pre-feasible report on the refinery project.

Talking to Dow Jones Newswire, Mr. Le Huu Loc, Chairman of People's Committee of Binh Dinh Province, said the construction of this plant is expected to start in 2016 and the first barrels of oil will be processed in 2019. "The PTT has showed a very high determination, so we believe that they can carry out the project," Loc said.

The Chairman of Binh Dinh Province also added that the PTT met a number of companies in Vietnam to discuss the possibility of cooperation in this project, including the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), the Petroleum Import-Export Group (Petrolimex) and the Military Petroleum Corporation.

PTT’s CEO, Mr. Nattachat Charuchinda, confirmed that they presented the project before Binh Dinh officials last Thursday. He said the crude material to serve for the plant will be imported from the Middle East and the project will include an aromatic processing plant for export to China.

Vietnam now has only one oil refinery - Dung Quat - with an output of 130,000 barrels per day. After it was put into operation in 2009, Dung Quat refinery has satisfied about a third of the domestic demand.

Another Thai company - Siam Cement PCL and partners – have announced the plan to build the Long Son oil refinery worth $4.5 billion in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Siam Cement and its subsidiaries will hold 48% stake in the project. The remaining may belong to the Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Company, Tasweeq, Petrolimex or PetroVietnam. However, this project is having difficulty in finding capital, so it has been delayed since 2009.