Three more oil firms seek Gulf of Thailand rights

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PHNOM PENH, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Cambodia has received three more applications for oil exploration rights in a disputed area of the Gulf of Thailand, a government spokesman said on Thursday.

U.S giant Chevron and two Japanese firms, Inpec and Marubeni Oil and Gas, have submitted a bid for access to Block 4, following an application on Tuesday by Mitsui Oil Exploration Co, a unit of Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co Ltd., said Ieng Sophalleth.

Marubeni Oil and Gas is a subsidiary of Marubeni Corp, Japan's fifth-biggest trading company.

Chevron Corp is already operator of Block A in the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia does not yet produce oil and is unlikely to do so before 2010 at the earliest. The deadline for submission is Oct. 7.

Cambodia's Commerce Minister, Cham Prasidh, said the rise in oil prices and high demand prompted the four companies to seek new opportunities in the Gulf of Thailand.

"They are looking for an opportunity to pump oil somewhere such as Cambodia, which has untapped resources of oil and gas," Prasidh told Reuters.

Cambodia's exploration area covers 37,000 square km (14,300 sq miles). Another 27,000 square km (10,400 sq miles) thought to be rich in oil and gas deposits is claimed by Thailand.

In February, Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, pledged to avoid entering into a protracted dispute with historic foes Thailand over the offshore reserves and said international laws would be strictly adhered to.

(Reporting by Ek Madra; Editing by Martin Petty)