On February 17, 2020, PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and PTT LNG. Co., Ltd. held a meeting to summarize the trial import of EGAT's first spot LNG at Chonburi Operation Center in Chonburi province. Also, the executives from the Energy Policy and Planning Office (NEA), Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) attended the meeting. It concluded that due to the cooperation from every party, the import went successfully. The LNG import trial paved way for improvements of the operation of all parties to completely comply with TPA Code guidelines.
Since 2015, PTT has been ready to allow the third party to use onshore pipeline to import LNG and accommodate new shippers. Later, the CEPA approved the import of LNG for EGAT on July 31, 2017 to promote competition in natural gas business in phase 1 as a pilot project of the transition from the current natural gas business and price structure to the real competition. The implementation is to identify a clear direction based on the current state and energy situation, obstacles and limitations. On October 21, 2019, the Committee on Energy Policy. Administration (CEPA) approved EGAT’s trial two spot LNG shipment of approximately 65,000 tons each, making a total volume of not over than 200,000 tons. The first shipment was in December 2019 and the second shipment in April 2020.
On December 28, 2019, EGAT imported its first cargo of 65,000 tons of LNG which was regasified into natural gas and sent through the pipeline for fuel at Bang Pakong Power Plant No.5 and Wang Noi Power Plant No. 4 from December 28, 2019 - January 21, 2020 (24 days). The import of EGAT complied with the TPA guidelines of PTT LNG and PTT, as far as not contrary to the terms and conditions of the resolution of CEPA on October 21, 2019.