* Aims to conclude long-term LNG contracts in Sept
* Says has been talking to suppliers including Shell, BP
* To focus on LNG infrastructure (Adds comment, detail)
By Khettiya Jittapong and Manunphattr Dhanananphorn
BANGKOK, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Thailand's largest energy firm PTT Pcl PTT.BK plans to import at least 5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2017, up from 3 million tonnes this year as local gas production fades.
State-controlled PTT expects to conclude in September talks with several suppliers including Royal Dutch Shell RDSa.L and BP BP.L to buy LNG under long-term contracts, chief executive Tevin Vongvanich told a news conference on Thursday. which uses natural gas for nearly 70 percent of its power generation, has become increasingly reliant on LNG imports as its own domestic gas fields are slowly being depleted. PTT is the nation's sole gas provider.
"As domestic resources decline, we are at the last phase of gas production," Tevin said, adding that PTT aimed to buy at least 3 million tonnes of LNG via long-term contracts, as well as making purchases in spot markets.
Thailand currently has a long-term contract with Qatar for supplies of up to 2 million tonnes of LNG per year.
Hit by the decline in global oil prices, PTT has cut its 2016 investment budget to 43.31 billion baht ($1.25 billion) and will focus more infrastructure including LNG terminals and gas pipelines, Tevin said.
PTT is in process of doubling the intake capacity of its 5-million tonne per year LNG import terminal at Map Ta Phut in the country's east, which is expected to be completed in 2017, Tevin said.
To boost revenue from non-oil businesses, PTT is seeking partners to open budget hotels at its petrol stations in Thailand and to open more coffee outlets at facilities in neighbouring Southeast Asia, he said.
The company also plans to spend about 50-100 million baht supporting clean energy technology, chief financial officer Wirat Uanarumit said.
PTT expects to continue to make profit in the second half of the year, with lower feed gas costs supporting its core gas business, Wirat said.
Unlike the first half, PTT has no major shutdowns planned for the latter half of the year, he said.
On Monday, PTT reported a 4.8-percent rise in second quarter net profit as its strong gas business outweighed the weak performance of its petrochemical and refining businesses. = 34.5700 baht)