PTTEP and partners strengthen long-term energy security with Block A-18-01 award in the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area - newswit
PTTEP and PC JDA receive Production Sharing Contract (PSC) award for Block A-18-01 in Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (MTJDA) from the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority. Strengthening energy security and leveraging synergies with Block B-17-01 to sustain natural gas production and ensure a reliable long-term energy supply for 35 years, with the honorable presence of Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul.
Mr. Montri Rawanchaikul, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), revealed that PTTEP, has been awarded the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for Block A-18-01 in the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (MTJDA) by the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority (MTJA). The award ceremony was presided over by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand; Mr. Akanat Promphan, Minister of Energy of Thailand; Mr. Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Minister of Economy of Malaysia; and YBhg. Datuk Wan Zaidi bin Wan Abdullah, Ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand. Organized by MTJA, the ceremony was held during Gastech Exhibition & Conference 2026 at BITEC, Bangkok.
The PSC was awarded to PTTEP JDX Thailand (JDA) Limited and PTTEP JDX Thailand Company Limited, subsidiaries of PTTEP, and PC JDA Limited, a subsidiary of PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd. Each party holds a 50% participating interest in petroleum exploration, development, and production in Block A-18-01 for a 35-year term, effective retroactively from 1 January 2026.
The new PSC replaces the previous PSC and covers the existing area of Block A-18 as well as additional areas. The block has the potential to produce approximately 300-400 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of natural gas, with the production to be supplied equally to Thailand and Malaysia. The gas supplied to Thailand is expected to account for approximately 4% of the country's natural gas demand and will be used as fuel for power generation to support energy demand in southern Thailand.
"The Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (MTJDA) is a strategically important area that plays a key role in strengthening Thailand's energy security, particularly in Southern Thailand. The award of this PSC will help ensure continued natural gas production for both countries while enhancing long-term energy security. In addition, the development of Block A-18-01 will enable further synergies with Block B-17-01, in which PTTEP and PC JDA hold participating interests. Leveraging shared infrastructure and resources will enhance operational efficiency and optimize natural gas production. Together, the two blocks currently produce approximately 700 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day." Mr. Montri said.
For the development of Block A-18-01, the joint venture partners plan to enhance exploration and development activities to maintain production levels and ensure the continued supply of natural gas.
The Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (MTJDA) is located in the lower Gulf of Thailand and comprises Block A-18-01 and B-17-01, covering a combined area of approximately 7,250 square kilometers. The area is a significant source of natural gas and condensate for both Thailand and Malaysia. Block A-18-01 includes gas fields such as Cakerawala, Bumi, Suriya, Bulan, Bulan South, Senja, Bumi East, Samudra, and Wira, while Block B-17-01 includes Muda, Tapi, Tanjung, Amarit, Jengka, Melati, and Andalas gas fields.
