Ships will soon start sounding the ocean floor off of Phuket with seismic waves, looking for formations in rock beneath the surface that suggest the presence of petroleum. Maybe soon, oil drilling platforms may rise off the island's west coast.

First, though, the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) must conclude environmental impact reviews and gain the approval of both the government and local people. That was the aim of a meeting at Phuket Merlin Hotel on June 13 led by Phuket Deputy Governor Piya Paratasinlapin. Representatives of the national oil company's development and production arm, PTT Exploration and Production Public Co., Ltd. (PTTEP), explained the system to be used for seismic mapping and outlined a timetable for surveys and exploratory drilling.

PTTEP's surveys won't be the first for the Andaman Sea, however. Major oil companies conducted half a dozen seismic mapping projects during the oil price shocks of the early- and mid-1970s. Also, four other surveys looked for oil in the region during the mid- and late-1990s. None of those covered the areas that PTTEP now wants to survey: five regions scattered across three geographic "blocks" stretching roughly from 150km southwest of Phuket to 320km northwest. PTTEP will contract Pro-En Technologies, Ltd., a Bangkok-based engineering firm, to conduct the research. The budget for the research is estimated at US$5.5 million.

Santi Thongwilard, a representative from the Department of Mineral Fuels, explained that his agency gave PTTEP the nod to conduct research and exploration in blocks A4/48, A5/48 and A6/48. The geophysical research would use 2D reflective seismology across an area around 68,820 square kilometres. In the marine environment, reflective seismology is conducted by ships towing "streamers", cables with instruments to record reflections from seismic waves directed at the ocean floor.

In accordance with a Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment directive issued in 1996, companies receiving a concession for exploration must research effects, inform local people about the advantages and disadvantages of the studies and present public hearings to collect comment from individuals and local organizations. Sidhichai Jayant, international and public media relations manager for PTTEP, said the company started research on environmental effects in May, a process expected to be complete in August. Public hearings also began in May and will continue through July. The next hearing in Phuket is set for the end of July. With government approval, 2D seismic surveys would begin at the end of this year.

"In the past, exploration might have taken around three years to do the 2D seismic survey," Khun Sidhichai said. "These surveys rarely affect the environment and aquatic animals. If it's found to be feasible, petroleum drilling will start around the next five or six years. Basically, we're try to promote understanding of the exploration methods to local people who may experience effects from the research and explain that they will get compensation from the company, including care for people's livelihoods. The area affected covers 25 districts, 91 subdistricts and six provinces: Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. In Phuket, it covers 12 subdistricts and three districts."

(The local areas affected by the research and exploration include Koh Kaew Subdistrict, Rassada Subdistrict, Karon Subdistrict, Chalong Subdistrict, Patong Subdistrict, Kamala Subdistrict, Cherng Talay Subdistrict, Pa Klock Subdistrict, Mai Khao Subdistrict, Sakoo Subdistrict and all of Maung District.)

"In Thailand, we have already found natural gas, but we expect to find oil resources in the Andaman Sea," Sidhichai added. "That will give our country more fuels resources, and local areas will get benefits from them."

Fishermen need direct attention, explained Sutha Prateep Na Talang at the hearing. President of a network of local fishermen, Khun Sutha said villagers and fishermen need to understand what will happen.

"Even though the process of research and exploration will be conducted in the deep sea and will rarely affect shore fisheries, we must make people understand," he said. "Recently they are worried about how the development of the sea shore will affect their occupation and the way they make their living."