One of Thailands most active areas for gas exploration is the Malaysian-Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) located in the southern part of the Gulf of Thailand and governed by the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority (MTJA). The JDA covers blocks A-18 and B-17 to C-19. A 50:50 partnership between Petronas Carigali and Triton Energy Ltd. (now a subsidiary of Amerada Hess) is developing the Cakerwala field in block A-18 while PTTEP and Petronas Carigali also share equal interests in the remaining blocks. An agreement was signed in October 1999 for sales of gas from the block to PTT and Petronas.  PTT has agreed to purchase 390 MMcf/d of gas over 10 years from the Cakerawala field the first JDA field to come on stream beginning in 2006. Cakerawala contains estimated reserves of 2 Tcf. A sales agreement for Natural Gas from the other blocks was signed in June 2005 with deliveries to Thailand of 270 MMcf/d beginning in 2008.
As the project has moved forward however it has become controversial in Thailand.  The Pipeline is to come ashore in Songkla province in Thailand with a connection overland to Malaysia.  Strong opposition to the project developed in 2000 among residents of Songkla who have voiced concerns about the environmental impact of the project.  The Thai government announced a decision in May 2002 to proceed with construction of the pipeline but on a slightly different route which avoids local population centers.
Other-Pipeline-Options
Two other possible international natural gas pipeline options also are under study. Officials from PTT have held preliminary discussions with Vietnamese officials about possible supply of natural gas from the Tay Nam field in Gulf of Thailand via a pipeline into Vietnams main industrial center Ho Chi Minh City . Talks also have been held with Burma and India about a possible pipeline interconnection between the three countries.