Angkor Resources Corp. has received approval from Cambodia's Ministry of Mines and Energy to incorporate the Mussel Basin, an additional 220 square kilometers, into its Block VIII oil and gas license. This expansion brings the total license area to 4,277 square kilometers following the company's voluntary removal of all parks and protected areas from development in March 2025.
Mike Weeks, President of EnerCam Resources Co. Ltd., described the addition as significant for exploration and development, noting strong indications of potential in the new sub-basin. The Mussel Basin represents a self-contained Cenozoic age sedimentary basin that completes the inclusion of all prospective sedimentary zones within Permit Block VIII.
Justin Snelling, senior geologist and reservoir specialist for EnerCam, explained that review of vintage 2008 seismic lines has identified potential stratigraphic trapping anomalies. These findings, combined with documented legacy surface oil seeps, make the basin a prospective target for early exploratory drilling. The company plans to incorporate new 2-D seismic lines from the Mussel Basin into its current field operations, targeting completion by September 20, 2025.
The expansion demonstrates Cambodia's growing importance in Southeast Asia's energy sector and represents a strategic move by Angkor Resources to consolidate its exploration assets. The company's approach of voluntarily excluding protected areas while expanding exploration territory reflects evolving industry standards for responsible resource development. Additional information about the company's operations can be found at angkorresources.com.
This development matters because it represents one of the largest onshore oil and gas licenses in Cambodia and could significantly impact the country's energy independence and economic development. Successful exploration in the Mussel Basin could lead to new hydrocarbon discoveries, potentially reducing Cambodia's reliance on energy imports and creating local employment opportunities in the energy sector.
