PetroVietnam held a ceremony yesterday to inaugurate a system collecting and distributing natural gas from Ham Rong and Thai Binh fields in Thai Binh Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Xuan Tien

THAI BINH (VNS) — Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) held a ceremony yesterday to inaugurate a system collecting and distributing natural gas from Ham Rong and Thai Binh fields in Thai Binh Province.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai urged PetroVietnam to continue providing gas for the system while building more infrastructure to support the northern gas industry, and directing contractors to complete the project as soon as possible. PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV Gas) invested nearly US$92 million in the two fields' distribution and collection system.

PetroVietnam had focused on natural gas exploration over the past few years and would help Viet Nam become an energy-exporting country, he said.

Hai asked PetroVietnam to improve fire and explosion prevention efforts, and hold more training courses to prepare staff for any incidents. Local authorities also needed to work with ministries and businesses to develop the gas energy industry.

PV Gas allowed Viet Nam Petrol Low-Pressure Gas Distribution JSC to invest more than $62 million in another endeavour, the Tien Hai–Thai Binh low pressure gas distribution project. The projects are expected to help northern Viet Nam and particularly Thai Binh Province grow their economies. — VNS