MALAYSIA and Thailand have signed new agreements to advance development of Block A-18-01 in the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (MTJDA), extending their long-running joint exploitation of gas resources in the area.
The new production-sharing contract (PSC) was signed between the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority (MTJA), PC JDA Limited and PTTEP JDX, while the gas sales agreement (GSA) also involves Petronas and PTT Public Company Limited.
The agreements, signed on the sidelines of Gastech 2026 in Bangkok on Monday, were witnessed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Thai Energy Minister Akanat Promphan and Malaysian Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
The deals are intended to provide greater certainty for continued development of Block A-18-01, attract investment and support the energy security of both countries.
Akmal said the development was significant as natural gas continued to play a key role in Malaysia’s energy system and socioeconomic growth.
Natural gas is projected to account for 56 per cent of Malaysia’s total primary energy supply by 2050, he said.
“The priority now is to ensure that energy resource development continues to attract investment and is supported by the industry’s capacity to generate long-term value.
“Certainty, continuity and confidence are crucial to creating space for investment, sustaining production and securing long-term value,” he said.
Akmal said the agreement also provided a foundation for expanding development in the MTJDA, with Block B-17-01 identified as the next opportunity.
“The next step is to pave the way for new PSCs and GSAs for Block B-17-01 so that the potential of the MTJDA can be translated into long-term benefits for Malaysia and Thailand,” he said. - September 14, 2026
