Vietnam shut down a 2 bcm per annum gas pipeline for the duration of two weeks (July 5–July 18, 2012) for maintenance purposes. The pipeline, PM3 CAA, transports natural gas from the offshore blocks of PM3-CAA and 46 Cai Nuoc, both located in southwest Vietnam, to the Ca Mau gas distribution centre via a 330 km pipeline. From the Ca Mau distribution centre, gas is transported to the Ca Mau 1 and Ca Mau 2 power plants, which have a total capacity of 1,500 MW, as well as to the Ca Mau fertiliser plant that is located in the southern province of Ca Mau. According to PetroVietnam Gas, the operator of the pipeline, part of the expected power shortfall will be covered by diesel-run power plants.
