Lawmakers meet with heads of oil, gas sector

The National Assembly Economic Committee delegation visits a port operated by PTSC

The delegation of the National Assembly (NA) Economic Committee first toured Vietsovpetro’s Central Technology Platform No.3 and the ports operated by the PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) and the Petroleum Equipment Assembly and Metal Structure Joint Stock Company (PVC-MS). Lawmakers then met with Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) member units to review implementation of Politburo Resolution 41-NQ/TW on the strategy for the Vietnamese oil and gas sector until 2025, with a vision towards 2035.

Members of the delegation include Nguyen Duc Kien, Deputy Head of the NA Economic Committee, Le Hong Tinh, Deputy Head of the NA Committee for Science, Technology and Environment, other officials of the NA Economic Committee, and representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Other attendees included Nguyen Hung Dung, member of PVN’s Member Council; Tran Quang Dung, member of the Standing Committee of PVN’s Party Committee and Head of PVN’s Propaganda and Training Department; Ngo Thuong San, President of the Vietnam Petroleum Association; Hoang Xuan Hung, Vice President of the association; Le Minh Hong, Vice President of the association. Also present were heads of PVN’s departments and member units, including Vietsovpetro, PTSC, PetroVietnam Gas Corporation (PV Gas), PetroVietnam Fertilizer and Chemicals Corporation (PVFCCo), PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services Corporation (PV Drilling), PetroVietnam Engineering (PVE), PetroVietnam PetroVietnam Construction (PVC) and Dung Quat Shipyard (DQS).

Representing PVN, Nguyen Hung Dung presented an overview of the group’s development. He emphasized that despite numerous difficulties, all staff members did their best to achieve good results.

According to Nguyen Duc Kien, following this meeting, the NA Economic Committee will work with the leadership of PVN and submit necessary petitions to the NA Standing Committee to prepare for the forthcoming session this October.

Nguyen Duc Kien asked the leaders of PVN member units to speak honestly of the achievements they have gained, as well as of difficulties and challenges facing them.

At the meeting, PV Drilling, PVE, PVC, PTSC and PVFCCo proposed amendments to the Law on Bidding, Law on Public Investment, and Law on Oil and Gas, which they believe would facilitate the operations of oil and gas companies and enable their fair competition.

Tran Quang Dung, Head of PVN’s Propaganda and Training Department, said PVN has undergone 43 years of development and recorded proud achievements. However, he added, the group and its member units have been experiencing a difficult period since the second half of 2014 when oil prices plunged. Despite these challenges, PVN has concentrated on restructuring the group to improve its management and enhance competitiveness, maintain its operations and contribute to the country’s development. Tran Quang Dung requested the NA Economic Committee delegation to propose amendments to the Law on Oil and Gas and related laws to facilitate PVN’s greater contributions to the Vietnamese economy.

Vietnam Petroleum Association Vice President Le Minh Hong asked the NA Economic Committee to supervise the implementation of Politburo Resolution 41-NQ/TW which requires the creation of a suitable legal corridor and specific mechanisms for oil and gas business operations. Although the resolution has been in effect for nearly three years, it has yet to improve relevant legal documents to facilitate the operations of oil and gas businesses.

On behalf of the delegation, NA Economic Committee Deputy Head Nguyen Duc Kien acknowledged the achievements of PVN and its member units despite internal and objective difficulties, as well as their contribution to the economy. He said the committee would report their proposals to the NA.

According to Nguyen Duc Kien, the Law on Construction, Law on Bidding, Law on Public Investment and Law on Oil and Gas still overlap on many points. He said the NA Economic Committee is examining the situation and collecting business opinions to finalize its report on the implementation of Politburo Resolution 41-NQ/TW over the past three years. Problems facing oil and gas businesses will be reported to the NA, which will seek solutions.