PTTEP Energy Development Co. and Valeura Energy have taken FID on the Bussabong gas field development in Block G3/65 in the Gulf of Thailand.

The Phase 1 project in the eastern part of the block will feature two 24-slot wellhead platforms with 24 well slots each, in 75 and 90 m water depth.

Production will head through a 9-km, 12-in. subsea pipeline to the Bongkot field center in neighboring Block G2/61 for processing, with start-up expected towards the end of 2028.

Bussabong shares geological similarities with other gas fields in Gulf, with the reservoirs divided into multiple fault-block compartments. This favors a phased, repeatable development model, Valeura said.

Prior to the company’s 40% farm-in as partner to PTTEP, the Bussabong area had been comprehensively covered by 3D seismic data and contained various other gas discoveries.

Following a further successful exploration well in 2025, the two companies agreed to embark on development planning.

Thailand’s upstream regulator approved a defined production area for the Bussabong field, enabling further phased development to fully commercialise the field and the identified prospects. However, additional FIDs over the next few years would depend on results of delineation via step-out exploration and appraisal drilling.

The design specs for the two platforms are in line with other facilities in the Gulf. They should deliver around 30,000 cu ft/d in 2029, rising to 40,000 cu ft/d in 2030. The gas appears to be relatively dry, with around 20 bbl of condensate per MMcf of gas.

PTTEP will engage with regulators and the gas purchaser to formalise a gas sales agreement.