BALI, 5 July - The ASEAN ministers of energy signed today a memorandum of understanding to implement the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline Project.   

The project will link gas demand and utilization centers with a pipeline infrastructure tapping the gas fields of Natuna and others in the Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea and Sumatra. 

Several cross-border and domestic gas pipelines in ASEAN are already operational.  These include the Malaysia-Singapore pipeline; Yadana and Yetagun - Ratchaburi pipeline; West Natuna � Singapore pipeline; and the Camago-Malampaya pipeline.  Other interconnections are being set up in West Natuna � Duyong; Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area; and South Sumatra � Singapore line.   

The project will involve seven gas pipeline interconnections with an estimated investment of US $ 7 billion. 

Under the memorandum of understanding, ASEAN countries will study the regulatory and institutional frameworks for cross-border supply, transportation, and distribution of natural gas in the region involving several countries. An ASEAN Gas Consultative Council will be set up to discuss cross-border issues toward reducing trade barriers. 

          At the same time, the ministers approved the roadmap for interconnecting electricty networks in Southeast Asia.  Under the ASEAN Power Grid Project, ASEAN countries agreed to adopt a policy on regional power and electricity interconnection and trade. 

          The ASEAN ministers met with their counterparts from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to explore cooperation projects.  The ministers also met with representatives of the US-ASEAN Business Council. 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.