The Department of Energy Business announced that, effective today (20 Mar 2026), oil traders under Section 7 must report daily fuel oil inventory levels, and added the definition of “component oil.”Tags: [energy regulation, oil inventory, fuel reporting, Department of Energy Business]
On 20 March 2026, the Government Gazette website publishedthe Department of Energy Business Announcement regarding Types, Rates, Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Calculating Fuel Oil Reserves (No. 4) B.E. 2569 (2026).The announcement dated 20 March 2026 was signed by Mr. Sarawut Kaewtatip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business, containing the following content:
Whereas it is appropriate to revise the Department of Energy Business Announcement concerning Types, Rates, Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Calculating Fuel Oil Reserves B.E. 2566 (2023) to align with domestic oil supply chain management, under the authority of Section 20, paragraph one of the Fuel Trade Act B.E. 2543 (2000), as amended by the Fuel Trade Act (No. 2) B.E. 2550 (2007), the Director-General of the Department of Energy Business hereby issues the following announcement.
Section 1 This announcement shall be effective from the date of publication in the Government Gazette onward. (20 March 2026)
Section 2 Repeals the definition of “Dead Stock” (fuel oil stock that cannot be pumped out) in Section 4 of the Department of Energy Business Announcement concerning Types, Rates, Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Calculating Fuel Oil Reserves B.E. 2566 (2023).
Section 3 Adds the definition of “component oil” following the definition of “ethanol” in Section 4 of the Department of Energy Business Announcement concerning Types, Rates, Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Calculating Fuel Oil Reserves B.E. 2566 (2023).
“Component oil” means oil that is ready to be blended or quality-adjusted to produce gasoline, gasohol, base gasoline, diesel, and Jet A-1 aviation fuel with the characteristics and quality as prescribed or approved by the Director-General of the Department of Energy Business.
Section 4 Repeals the content of Section 8 of the Department of Energy Business Announcement concerning Types, Rates, Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Calculating Fuel Oil Reserves B.E. 2566 (2023) and replaces it with the following:
“Section 8 Oil traders under Section 7 may keep daily crude oil and finished oil reserves at not less than 70% of the required reserve volume; however, the average monthly reserve volume must not be less than that specified in Section 5.”
Section 5 Repeals the content of Section 9 of the Department of Energy Business Announcement concerning Types, Rates, Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Calculating Fuel Oil Reserves B.E. 2566 (2023) and replaces it with the following:
“Section 9 Oil traders under Section 7 must keep daily reserves of each type of finished oil as required, including finished oil that does not meet the quality standards prescribed by the Director-General but has a certificate of approval for sale, and component oil.”
Section 6 Repeals the content of Section 12 of the Department of Energy Business Announcement concerning Types, Rates, Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Calculating Fuel Oil Reserves B.E. 2566 (2023) and replaces it with the following:
“Section 12 Oil traders under Section 7 may choose to keep component oil or crude oil reserves in place of required finished oil reserves, or keep finished oil reserves instead of crude oil reserves on a 1:1 substitution ratio, not exceeding 20% of the required volume of each fuel type under the law. The component oil kept as a substitute must be one or more components of that finished oil type.
Oil traders under Section 7 must obtain approval from the Director-General before substituting reserves as per paragraph one and comply with the following:
(1) Provide details of type, quantity, duration, tank number, and storage facility to be used; the tanks and storage facility must be approved for reserve storage.
(2) Report the inventory volume of substituted oil as if it were the required reserve oil daily, using the legally prescribed inventory and storage report form (Nop. 210).
(3) Any changes to the details in (1) must receive prior approval.”
A reporter added that “oil traders under Section 7” are those whose annual trading volume of each fuel type or combined totals 100,000 metric tons or more (about 120 million liters or more). This group has the important duty of legally maintaining oil reserves to ensure the country’s energy security.
Examples of major oil traders under Section 7 include:
PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR): Operator of PTT Station service stations.
Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited (BCP): Including affiliated businesses merged with ESSO (currently BSRC).
PTG Energy Public Company Limited (PTG): Operator of PT service stations.
Shell Company of Thailand Limited (Shell).
Chevron (Thailand) Limited (Caltex).
Susco Public Company Limited (SUSCO).
Thai Oil Public Company Limited (Thaioil): Focus on refining and large wholesale trade.
IRPC Public Company Limited (IRPC).
Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited (SPRC).
[]