📋 Tender Overview
Commenting on the draft Petroleum Law (amended) during discussion sessions in the group at the First Extraordinary Session of the 16th National Assembly, National Assembly delegate Tran Hoang Ngan said that it is necessary to continue to improve the mechanism for the National Energy-Industry Group (Petrovietnam) when performing the task of performing a number of functions on behalf of the State in managing oil and gas activities. Download National Assembly Delegate Tran Hoang Ngan According to delegate Tran Hoang Ngan, as a state-owned economic group, in addition to production and business tasks, Petrovietnam is also assigned to perform a number of functions on behalf of the State. Meanwhile, Resolution No. 79/NQ/TW of the Politburo sets out the requirement to clearly distinguish production and business functions from state management tasks and political tasks of state-owned enterprises. However, oil and gas is a field with specific characteristics. Therefore, Petrovietnam is assigned to perform a number of functions on behalf of the State in managing oil and gas activities. The question is that in the process of performing these functions, if risks or damages arise, how will the State handle and settle accounts with Petrovietnam? According to delegate Tran Hoang Ngan, these contents need to be clearly and specifically regulated to protect the legitimate rights and interests of businesses. Delegate Tran Hoang Ngan suggested continuing to review and complete Articles 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 of the draft Law, clarifying obligations, responsibilities as well as financial mechanisms for Petrovietnam when performing tasks assigned by the State. If there are no specific regulations, the implementation of Petrovietnams obligations and responsibilities will face many difficulties. When fully legalized, the Group will be more convenient in settlement, investment decisions and organization of production and business activities, said delegate Tran Hoang Ngan. Linking oil and gas activities with national defense, security and island protection According to delegate Tran Hoang Ngan, recently, the Politburo has issued many important resolutions that need to be institutionalized in the Petroleum Law, including Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW of the Politburo on ensuring national energy security; Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW on state economic development and Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW on building and developing Vietnam into a strong maritime nation. These policies pose many new requirements that need to be fully specified in the draft Petroleum Law (amended). Commenting on Article 8 of the draft Law, delegate Tran Hoang Ngan said that the title Requirements on oil and gas safety should be studied and amended or supplemented to Requirements on oil and gas safety and national defense and security. According to the delegate, national defense and security issues in the oil and gas sector are particularly important, because many search, exploration and exploitation activities are carried out at sea, closely linked to protecting national sovereignty. Regarding Article 40 on ensuring the obligation to clean up oil and gas works, the delegate said that after the end of exploitation, machinery, equipment, works and exploitation systems on the seabed must be cleaned up, cleaned and restored to normal state. To carry out this responsibility, a Fund is needed to ensure the obligation to clean up oil and gas works. The draft Law has mentioned this content, but according to delegates, it is necessary to continue to supplement detailed regulations, and at the same time assign the Government to make specific regulations to ensure that the fund is managed and used effectively. Regarding Article 53 on developing offshore energy projects associated with implementing oil and gas activities, delegates assessed this as one of Vietnams strengths in the process of developing marine space. In the spirit of Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW of the Politburo on building and developing Vietnam to become a strong maritime country, delegate Tran Hoang Ngan proposed adding contents to ensure the exploitation and development of offshore energy projects associated with oil and gas activities, protecting sea and islands and performing defense and security tasks. Removing procedural bottlenecks for businesses Referring to the draft Laws requirements to both enhance state management efficiency but at the same time remove procedural bottlenecks for businesses, National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh, Vice President of the Vietnam Energy Association, said that it is necessary to shift from management with multiple layers of approval to management with standards, regulations, deadlines, responsibilities and risk monitoring. Strict management does not mean lengthy procedures; Lack of clear procedures can also diffuse responsibilities and reduce management effectiveness. The draft needs to clearly define the authority of the Government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, ministries, branches and the Vietnam National Industry and Energy Group; Separate the functions of state management, owner representation and production and business. Decentralization must be linked to decision-making criteria, processing deadlines, process disclosure and accountability. At the same time, it is necessary to digitize, connect and reuse data, increase post-audit according to the level of risk instead of formal pre-inspection procedures. For carbon capture and storage (CCS), high-tech technical services, shared infrastructure, oil and gas data and energy projectsg offshore, the Law needs to stipulate a hard framework on the scope, principles, rights and obligations, safety, security and interests of the State; Documents, procedures, costs, operations and inter-sectoral coordination can be assigned to the Government for detailed regulations. Decrees must be prepared at the same time and take effect at the same time as the Law so that businesses do not have to continue waiting for t
