The PM3-CM gas pipeline system, which feeds t wo gas-fired power plants in the southernmost province of Ca Mau, has stopped working due to a valve gas leakage.

According to the Ca Mau Gas Company of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), the incident occurred at 3:25 pm on March 15, resulting in a supply interruption for the two power plants which have a combined capacity of 1,500 MW. 

The company said it would take about three days before the system can resume operation. 

To make up for the reduction in electricity output, the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) the same day increased the output of the oil-fuelled O Mon plant and put turbines at the two Ca Mau plants on operation using diesel oil. 

Since its operation in 2007, the PM3-CM pipeline has provided more than 7 billion cu.m of gas for the three power and fertiliser plants in the Ca Mau complex.-VNA