Valeura accelerates Wassana redevelopment offshore Thailand, targets earlier first oil

Valeura Energy has advanced redevelopment of the Wassana oil field in the Gulf of Thailand, advancing platform installation and drilling activities to target first oil in early Q2 2027 and add an estimated 430,000 bbl of production.
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Sept. 1, 2026
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Why this news matters:

  • Earlier installation and drilling activities could bring forward first oil and add roughly 430,000 bbl of production versus Valeura's original development schedule. 

  • The new platform is designed with spare capacity for future tie-backs, potentially supporting additional resource development around the Wassana area.

 

Courtesy Valeura Energy YouTube
Wassana field offshore Thailand

Valeura Energy is advancing redevelopment of the Wassana field offshore Thailand, where a new central processing platform will replace the field's existing production facilities and support an accelerated path to first oil.

Valeura Energy has decided to advance redevelopment of the Wassana Field in Block G10/48 in the Gulf of Thailand.

Production currently comes from a mobile offshore production unit (MOPU), which will be replaced by a new central processing platform (CPP) as part of the redevelopment project.

President and CEO Dr. Sean Guest said due to strong progress in construction of the new CPP, mechanical completion at the yard could occur by Oct. 1.

“We are now taking the opportunity to install the facility earlier than originally planned, leading to the potential for first oil from the new development at approximately the beginning of Q2 2027,” he said.

Valeura has executed all commercial arrangements and contractual amendments needed to begin installation in October, two months earlier than expected.

Courtesy Valeura Energy YouTube
Nong Yao Field offshore Thailand

Valeura's Nong Yao Field offshore Thailand will be the first destination for the Shelf Drilling Enterprise jackup rig before the unit moves to support accelerated development drilling at the Wassana Field.

The company has notified ADES Holding to commence the charter of the Shelf Drilling Enterprise jackup rig on Nov. 1. The rig will initially drill new wells on the Nong Yao Field using spare slots on the Nong Yao A platform before transferring to Wassana for development drilling. The sequencing allows Valeura to maximize rig utilization across its Gulf of Thailand portfolio.

Valeura estimates the accelerated schedule could add about 430,000 bbl of oil production compared with the original development timeline.

Wassana’s existing MOPU, which the CPP is due to replace, is set to be decommissioned at the end of next year.

Beyond the redevelopment project, the CPP has been designed to accommodate future tie-ins from satellite accumulations north and south of the field. Valeura is also evaluating exploration drilling opportunities following recent mapping work in the southern area.

Photo by Jonathan Lord; Courtesy marinetraffic.com
Shelf Drilling Enterprise jackup rig

The Shelf Drilling Enterprise jackup rig is scheduled to begin operations for Valeura Energy in November, first supporting drilling activities at the Nong Yao Field before transferring to the Wassana redevelopment project in the Gulf of Thailand.

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About the Author

Jeremy Beckman
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Jeremy Beckman

Staff Writer / Editor, Europe

Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.

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