Gas from Yadana covers 15 to 20% of Thailand’s demand. The country’s economic growth has fueled a rapid rise in electricity demand. Around 70% of power generation in Thailand is gas-fired, using local gas resources supplemented by gas from Myanmar’s Yadana and Yetagunfields.
Yadana gas is piped from the field to the gas grid that supplies the Ratchaburi and Wang Noi power plants in the Bangkok region (total installed capacity of 6400 MW, with Yadana gas used to generate 2500 MW). The gas takes the same onshore route in Myanmar as gas from the Yetagun field, with both delivered at the border to Thai consumer PTT under long-term contracts.
Yadana’s production therefore establishes an important, long-term economic link between the two countries and contributes to the regional integration of Myanmar, which has too long been isolated from Southeast Asia’s assertive growth. For instance, Myanmar only joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1997.
Contractually, Myanmar is entitled to take up to 20% of Yadana’s production for domestic consumption. Initially, it was lifting about half its entitlement, or 40 to 50 million cubic feet per day (1.1 million to 1.4 million cubic meters per day). Since December 2006, it has been taking 100 million cubic feet per day (2.8 million cubic meters per day). The gas is piped further north to a cement plant in Myaingkalay and then on to Yangon via a pipeline built and operated by MOGE that ties into the Yadana pipeline at Kanbauk.
A new MOGE-operated pipeline carrying gas from the Yadana field to Yangon was inaugurated in 2010 and will double the amount of gas for local consumption.
