The New Nation - Internet Edition

VNA, Bangkok

The ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) plus 3 (China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea) recently have agreed to jointly study how to prepare a regional oil stockpiling plan to prevent shortages and reduce impacts of oil price surges in the future. Revealing results of the 26th AMEM being held in Bangkok, Thai Energy Minister Lt-Gen. Poonpirom Liptapanlop said Thailand had pushed for a basic connection of energy sources under the ASEAN framework. The project involves an international gas pipeline linkage from Indonesia's Nutuna gas field to Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, and a power transmission line connection, according to the Thai News Agency (TNA). A signing of the agreement would take place at the ASEAN Summit to be hosted by Thailand late this year.

The Thai Minister said AMEM plus 3 approved the preparation

of the regional oil stockpiling roadmap aimed at encouraging

development of energy reserves to prevent a possible shortage and

ease impacts of the oil price hike in the future.

It also agreed to conduct the energy demand outlook in ASEAN

based the scenario analysis in 2005-2030.