Myanmar is planning to sell natural gas produced from PTTEP offshore block (MD-7) mainly for local use, sources said.

The PTTEP, cooperating with Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), held a public talk to discuss and explain about environmental impact assessment (EIA) test with locals from Myeik on December 13.

They met with locals in Dawei, Kawthoung and Myeik which are the nearest towns with the offshore block to conduct public poll about the project.

“It is the first public meeting to know about their concerns and the impacts on the environment. We will write down the issues on the report. We will explain about the EIA process at the second meeting. We will explain about the issues related with socio-economy, natural resources, environment and sea creatures to locals. We made the assessment instructed by the authorities. The regional government and union ministry have an agreement with the national grip. It will be implemented after 2019. The natural gas produced in the future will be sold mainly for domestic use and the remaining gas will export if domestic use is sufficient,” said Assistant Director Saw Thandar from Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Department.

PTTEP is an international petroleum exploration and production public company based in Thailand and it is planning to export oil and natural gas to Thailand sustainably.

“Although the projects to explore oil and natural gas are carried out here, the locals have no entitlement. We are using the electricity expansively. We don’t know whether the government is asking our opinion or we are following their orders,” said Kyaw Naing from 88 Generations activist from Myeik district.

The MD-7 is located about 640 kilometers from Yangon, 390 kilometers from Dawei, 300 kilometers from Myeik and 230 kilometers from Kawthoung and it is located in the offshore fishing blocks.