The Bussabong gas field has moved toward commercial development after PTTEP Energy Development and Valeura Energy made the final investment decision (FID) to execute the first phase of the offshore project in the Gulf of Thailand. The plan calls for production to begin toward the end of 2028 and subsequently reach up to 40 million cubic feet per day of natural gas.
The project is located in Block G3/65 and represents a new source of domestic supply for Thailand. PTTEP holds a 60% operated interest, while Valeura Energy owns the remaining 40%. The decision also makes Bussabong Valeura first organic gas development within its Thailand portfolio.
Bussabong gas field will use existing offshore infrastructure
One of the central elements of the development will be the use of facilities already operating in the Gulf of Thailand. The initial phase includes two wellhead platforms with 24 slots each, installed in water depths ranging from 75 to 90 meters.
The facilities will be connected through a 12 inch subsea pipeline approximately 9 kilometers long to the processing infrastructure of the Bongkot field, located in the neighboring Block G2/61 and also operated by PTTEP.
This configuration allows Bussabong to be developed without constructing new dedicated processing capacity. The strategy of connecting new resources to existing facilities is an alternative used in offshore projects to accelerate commercialization and optimize infrastructure investments.
This approach is particularly relevant in a region where different operators continue to advance new offshore exploration and production projects to support energy supply.
Production could reach 40 million cubic feet per day
PTTEP estimates that the development will require approximately two years and expects natural gas production to begin in 2028. The first phase is designed to reach around 30 million cubic feet per day in 2029, before increasing to approximately 40 million cubic feet per day in 2030.
The program currently includes 25 development wells. For Valeura, capital expenditure corresponding to its 40% interest is estimated at approximately US$35 million for facilities, installation, and pipelines during 2027 and 2028. An additional US$20 million to US$25 million would be added for its share of drilling costs.
The project is advancing as Thailand seeks to strengthen the availability of domestic gas and reduce the exposure of its energy system to fluctuations in the international natural gas and LNG market.
Why can Bussabong be developed quickly?
One of the advantages of the Bussabong gas field is the existing knowledge of the subsurface. The area has 3D seismic data and already contained several historic gas discoveries. In addition, an exploration well drilled in 2025 delivered positive results, allowing development planning to move forward.
The reservoirs are distributed among different compartments associated with fault blocks. This configuration favors a phased strategy through which PTTEP and Valeura can progressively incorporate new resources depending on exploration and appraisal results.
The experience accumulated in Gulf of Thailand projects also provides a base of infrastructure, services, and offshore supply chains that can facilitate execution.
New drilling could expand the project
The FID for the first phase does not necessarily represent the limit of the development. PTTEP and Valeura plan to continue exploring other areas of Block G3/65, which covers approximately 11,647 square kilometers.
Among the next objectives is the drilling of an exploration well at the Nong Yao Northeast prospect, aimed at evaluating additional resources. A commercial discovery could create opportunities to increase future capacity through new investment phases.
Thailand upstream regulator has already approved a defined production area for Bussabong, while Valeura is considering potential additional investment decisions as appraisal and exploration campaigns allow new resources to be delineated.
The decision to move forward with the Bussabong gas field therefore transforms discovered resources into a project with defined infrastructure and a defined schedule. Its connection to existing Bongkot facilities will be critical to accelerating first gas expected toward the end of 2028 and establishing a platform for future development phases in Block G3/65.
Sources: PTTEP | Valeura Energy | Offshore Energy
