A race against time

One of the challenges of the rescue was to control the rising waters inside the cave, along all four kilometres of partially flooded galleries that separated the young footballers from the exit. A situation made even more critical by announcements of fresh monsoon rains in the following days.

Powerful water pumps ran relentlessly for several days. A mammoth task, made possible with the help of PTT NGD, a subsidiary 40% held by ENGIE and the Thai leader in gas distribution to industries.

1.5 kilometres of pipes

As it turned out, PTT NGD’s polyethylene gas pipes, which are rare in Thailand, were capable of withstanding great pressure, flexible enough, and rapidly available at the scene of the rescue.

The PTT NGD team worked non-stop, day and night, weekends included, to weld the pipes, help to pump the water, and provide its expertise and professionalism to the site.

“How can I help?” 

Deeply touched by this spontaneous show of solidarity, Tanguy Moulin-Fournier said: “I am proud to be deputy general manager in this community where everyone behaves as if they were part of a family and where ‘how can I help?’ is a key motto.”

All the personnel of ENGIE join him in congratulating the PTT NGD teams for their unwavering commitment.

PTT NGD

Founded in 1996, PTT NGD is the Thai leader in gas distribution to industry. Directly or via its subsidiary AMATA NGD, the company sells and distributes nearly 40 MMBTU via a steel and polyethylene gas pipeline network. PPT NGD is owned by ENGIE (40%) and Thailand’s national oil and gas company PTT (60%). Since its creation, it has grown steadily through investments and capacity increases. It has become the energy partner of national industry by acting as a supplier of natural gas, a consultant and a provider of energy support and services to its customers.

Reminder of the facts:

“On 23 June, a group of 12 children accompanied by their trainer ventured into the cave of Tham Luang in the north of the country, where they were taken by surprise by the rising waters. Drones, swimmers, sniffer dog, the Thai navy, all means were rapidly used to locate them. On 2 July, after a nine-day search, the children, aged 11 to 16, were finally found alive and in good health, perched on a rim of the cave. 8 days later and after an unprecedented rescue operation that led to the death of a Thai diver, the entire group was evacuated safe and sound.”

See how the rescue unfolded (BBC)

ENGIE employs around 1,000 people in Thailand in its traditional metiers (electricity production, gas networks, engineering, services). In line with its decarbonisation strategy, the Group has just announced the sale of its GLOW subsidiary (3,000 MW of electricity production capacity and steam) but continues to develop its gas networks (PTT NGD), engineering (Tractebel), low-carbon electricity production (SolarDirect) and services (ENGIE Services), as well as its smart city and smart mobility offer.