Valeura Energy and PTTEP have approved the first phase of development at the Bussabong gas field in Block G3/65 in the Gulf of Thailand. The decision gives Valeura its first internally developed gas project in the country and establishes an initial production scheme that could be extended across other parts of the field.

The partners plan to install two wellhead platforms, each with 24 well slots, in water depths of approximately 75 to 90 metres. A nine-kilometre, 12-inch subsea pipeline will connect the facilities to the existing Bongkot gas processing system in the neighbouring Block G2/61. PTTEP operates Bongkot and has indicated that the receiving system does not require additional processing capacity for Bussabong's initial output.

The first phase includes a planned 25 development wells. Valeura estimates that its 40% share of expenditure on the platforms, installation and pipeline will be about US$35 million over 2027 and 2028. Its share of drilling costs is expected to add US$20 million to US$25 million. The company does not anticipate material project spending in 2026.

First gas is targeted for around the end of 2028. According to Valeura, the facilities and wells are intended to deliver approximately 30 million cubic feet per day of sales gas in 2029, rising to about 40 million cubic feet per day in 2030. Those figures represent gross field output; Valeura's 40% working-interest share would be about 12 million and 16 million cubic feet per day respectively.

Bussabong lies in the eastern part of Block G3/65, where existing three-dimensional seismic data and historic gas discoveries informed the development plan. A further exploration well drilled in 2025 helped the partners move into project planning. The reservoir is divided into fault-block compartments, making a staged approach possible. Additional phases will depend on appraisal results, resource definition and subsequent investment decisions. The partners must also formalise a gas sales agreement with the regulator and customer before the project proceeds to production.