Thailand’s Energy Ministry has asked regulators to keep a close eye on developments in the Middle East lest these cause an oil and gas shortage in the import-dependent country, local media report .According to the Bangkok Post, the ministry had also ordered six oil refineries to start reporting their supply rates and sales volumes as well as throughput on a daily basis. Until now, refineries had to report these on a monthly basis. Thailand’s strategic petroleum reserve is required to hold enough of the commodity for 30 to 45 days, which is within the average standard globally, and the ministry has not yet proposed to change this in anticipation of a possible supply shortage. Yet it is preparing for higher prices: the ministry said the country’s State Oil Fund has a sufficient amount of money in it to respond to price hikes. rude oil is the top import commodity […]