The Yadana gas field is a major offshore natural‑gas deposit located in the Andaman Sea, approximately 150 km west of the Myanmar coastline in the Rakhine State. Discovered in 1995, the field is operated by the Yadana Gas Project Company Limited (YGPC), a joint venture consisting of the Myanmar state‑owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) (holding a 30 % stake), TotalEnergies (formerly Total) (30 % stake), and Chevron (40 % stake).
Development and production
Exploration and appraisal drilling were conducted in the mid‑1990s, after which a production sharing contract was signed in 1996. Initial gas production commenced in 1998, and the field has been developed using a network of subsea wells tied back to a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The Yadana field’s proven reserves have been estimated at approximately 5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas, with daily production rates historically ranging between 300 million and 400 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d).
Export infrastructure
Gas extracted from Yadana is transported via the 1,720 km long Myanmar‑Thailand Gas Pipeline, which runs from the offshore platform to the Thai border, enters Thailand at the Khlong Moei border crossing, and continues to power plants and industrial users in Thailand. The pipeline became operational in 1998, making Yadana one of the principal sources of imported natural gas for Thailand.
Economic significance
Revenue from the Yadana project constitutes a notable component of Myanmar’s hydrocarbon earnings and contributes to the national foreign‑exchange reserves. The project also underpins energy trade between Myanmar and Thailand, supporting electricity generation and industrial activity in both countries.
Human‑rights and environmental concerns
Since the early 2000s, the Yadana project has been the subject of multiple reports by non‑governmental organizations and international bodies alleging human‑rights abuses, including forced labor, intimidation, and violence against local communities in the surrounding regions. Legal actions have been filed in U.S. courts under the Alien Tort Statute and the Torture Victim Protection Act, leading to settlements and the implementation of remediation measures. Environmental impact assessments have identified concerns related to marine ecosystems, though operators assert compliance with applicable regulations and mitigation protocols.
Recent developments
Production from the Yadana field has gradually declined as the reservoir matures, prompting interest in secondary recovery techniques and field extensions. In the 2020s, TotalEnergies announced plans to invest in enhanced gas recovery and to explore adjacent prospect areas to sustain output levels. The joint venture continues to negotiate contract terms with the Myanmar government, especially in the context of evolving political and regulatory circumstances.
References
- Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, “Yadana Gas Project Overview,” official publication, 2022.
- TotalEnergies, “Yadana Field – Production and Development,” corporate report, 2021.
- Chevron, “Myanmar‑Thailand Gas Pipeline,” project factsheet, 2020.
- International Labour Organization, “Human Rights Issues in Myanmar’s Extractive Industries,” 2019.
Note: Information reflects publicly available data up to 2024. Subsequent developments may not be included.