Yadana Gas Field in Myanmar: History of Controversies and Changes

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Aerial shot of multiple offshore oil platforms in a serene, blue sea under clear skies.
Credit: pexels.com, Aerial shot of multiple offshore oil platforms in a serene, blue sea under clear skies.

The Yadana gas field in Myanmar has been at the center of numerous controversies over the years.

The field was discovered in 1982 by a consortium of oil companies, including Total, Unocal, and the Myanmar military regime.

The project was initially met with resistance from local communities, who were concerned about the environmental and social impacts of the gas field.

In 1992, a group of local villagers filed a lawsuit against the gas field operators, alleging that they had not been properly compensated for the land taken for the project.

The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court, with the villagers receiving a payment of $250,000.

Controversies and Changes

The Yadana gas field has been surrounded by controversy, particularly due to the involvement of companies from democratic nations in a regime known for its human rights violations.

Companies like Total have been accused of being complicit in abuses, with evidence suggesting that villagers are routinely forced to work in various guises.

The State Law and Order Restoration Council came under intense scrutiny for their human rights abuses during the construction of the pipeline, leading to a lawsuit being filed against Unocal.

Controversy

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Credit: pexels.com, Dramatic view of a large oil platform in Norway's North Sea, symbolizing offshore industry.

The Yadana project has been plagued by controversy due to its association with a regime notorious for human rights violations.

Companies from democratic nations invested in the project, sparking international criticism. The State Law and Order Restoration Council faced intense scrutiny for their human rights abuses during the pipeline's construction.

Evidence collected by EarthRights International suggests that villagers were routinely forced to work under various guises. This included carrying shell ammunition, food, and supplies for Burmese soldiers.

Troops often beat, tortured, or killed those who refused to work for them. Since early 2009, Burmese soldiers have ordered villagers to build a new police camp.

The Yadana project's security is provided by the Burmese army, which has been complicit in abuses.

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Change of Operator

PTTEP, a Thai energy company, has taken over as the operator of the Yadana natural gas field in Myanmar. PTTEP's stake in the field increased to 62.96% after Chevron's withdrawal.

The Yadana project holds significant strategic importance for both Thailand and Myanmar, as it provides a crucial source of energy for the region. Chevron, a US energy company, had previously held a 41.1% stake in the field.

PTTEP will continue to produce gas from the field to supply energy to meet the needs of both countries and maintain energy security.

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Data and Statistics

Credit: youtube.com, Non Destructive Testing by Pacific High Technology Services at Yadana Subsidence Project

The Yadana gas field in Myanmar has a significant amount of gas reserves, with 71,027.04 million cubic meters remaining recoverable as of 2023.

The gas production from the field has been steadily increasing, with a production of 7,958.37 million cubic meters per year in 2022.

Here are the reserves and production statistics for the Yadana gas field:

Table 1: Project Details

In this section, we'll take a closer look at the project details of the Yadana Gas Field, as outlined in Table 1.

The Yadana Gas Field is an operating project.

It is operated by PTTEP International Limited.

The ownership of the project is distributed among PTTEP International Limited (37.08%), Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (21.81%), and Et Martem Holdings (41.1%).

The Yadana Gas Field was discovered in 1982.

The project's production start year was 1998.

The production type of the Yadana Gas Field is conventional.

Table 2: Reserves

The Yadana Gas Field has a significant amount of remaining recoverable reserves.

According to the data, the field contains 71,027.04 million cubic meters of gas.

The reserves classification for the Yadana Gas Field is remaining recoverable reserves.

The data was sourced from an unknown provider and is based on information from 2023.

Table 4: Field-Level Location

Oil pumpjack surrounded by barren landscape under overcast skies, showcasing industrial machinery.
Credit: pexels.com, Oil pumpjack surrounded by barren landscape under overcast skies, showcasing industrial machinery.

Let's take a closer look at the location details of the Yadana Gas Field. The field is located offshore, in Myanmar, specifically in Blocks M5 and M6.

You can find the exact coordinates of the field in Table 4, which lists the concession/block, location, onshore/offshore status, and coordinates in WGS 84. The coordinates are 15.1865, 94.6377.

If you're interested in seeing the exact location of the field within the Yadana complex, you can refer to the map provided in the article.

Production and Reserves

The Yadana gas field has significant reserves and production levels. As of 2023, the remaining recoverable reserves of gas in the field are approximately 71,027 million cubic meters.

The production levels from the field are substantial, with 7,958 million cubic meters of gas produced in 2022. This is a notable amount, considering the field's reserves and production capabilities.

Here's a table summarizing the reserves and production levels:

Construction to Production

Empty gas station with oil petrol dispensers located on highway for serving long distance vehicles
Credit: pexels.com, Empty gas station with oil petrol dispensers located on highway for serving long distance vehicles

Construction to Production was a crucial phase in the development of the field's reserves. The initial evaluation of 5,300 billion cubic feet was deemed sufficient to make development economically feasible in 1994 and 1995.

Commercial negotiations were concluded with the state-owned Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) in 1994 and 1995. This partnership marked a significant milestone in the field's development.

The MOGE-Total partnership was expanded to include Unocal (now Chevron) and the Petroleum Authority of Thailand Exploration & Production (PTTEP) in 1994 and 1995. This collaboration brought in new expertise and resources to the project.

A decision was made to develop both the Yadana field and the pipeline in 1994 and 1995. The Yadana field would comprise several platforms for wells, production, living quarters, and compression.

The pipeline would consist of a 346 kilometer subsea section and a 63 kilometer onshore section running to the Thai border. This infrastructure would enable the efficient transportation of gas to the shore.

Production began in 1998 after three and a half years of work and a significant amount of investment. Today, a new pipeline to Yangon supplies a quarter of production to Myanmar's domestic market.

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Production and Reserves

Credit: youtube.com, The Role of Substantial Increases in Natural Gas Production and Reserves

The Yadana Gas Field is a significant source of natural gas in Myanmar. It has a remaining recoverable reserve of 71,027 million cubic meters as of 2023.

The field's production has been steadily increasing over the years. In 2022, the field produced 7,958.37 million cubic meters of gas per year.

Here's a breakdown of the field's reserves and production:

The field's reserves were initially reevaluated in the preliminary phase, with an estimated 150 billion cubic meters of gas. This was deemed sufficient to make development economically feasible.

Benefits and Impact

The Yadana gas field has brought numerous benefits to Myanmar and its inhabitants. Over 2,500 people were employed during its construction. These jobs have had a positive impact on local communities, providing a source of income for many families.

A significant emphasis has been placed on training, with a staggering 3,000 days of training provided each year. This is a testament to the project's commitment to developing local talent.

Credit: youtube.com, Yadana Gasfield Myanmar Andaman Sea. BADAMYAR GAS PROJECT BOSIET dop, cameraman Peter Scheid

The project provides employment for over 1,000 people, including over 300 direct employees. This is a significant number, and it's impressive that more than 85% of these jobs are filled by Myanmar nationals.

A technical training center has been set up for local technicians and operators, giving them the skills they need to succeed in their careers. This investment in local people will have long-term benefits for the country.

Kellie Hessel

Junior Writer

Kellie Hessel is a rising star in the world of journalism, with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape our world. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Kellie has established herself as a go-to writer for industry insights and expert analysis. Kellie's areas of expertise include the insurance industry, where she has developed a deep understanding of the complex issues and trends that impact businesses and individuals alike.

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