Angkor Resources Identifies First Drill Target in Cambodia's Block VIII Seismic Program
Angkor Resources has identified a significant anticline structure called the South Bokor Lead in Cambodia's Block VIII, marking the first potential drill target in the country's quest for domestic oil and gas production to reduce energy imports.
Angkor Resources Corp. has received preliminary data from its seismic program on Block VIII in Cambodia, identifying what appears to be a substantial anticline structure in the South Bokor Basin. The structure, named the South Bokor Lead, shows approximately 48 square kilometers of closure and lies between 900-1500 meters from the surface, representing the first drill target identified from the seismic program according to company management.
Keith Edwards, Technical Manager of EnerCam, the company's Cambodian subsidiary, stated that the preliminary view shows a significant structure in the most southerly South Bokor Basin. The company expects confirmation of internal structures upon completion of seismic processing and an integrated geological and geophysical interpretation in November. As more data becomes available from other basins, the company aims to identify trends that may develop across the central and northern portions of the seismic program.
The seismic interpretation is based on seven East-West lines mapping a major unconformity clearly visible on the seismic data. Layers above the mapped horizon are thought to be Cretaceous-Jurassic age, while layers below are considered Lower Jurassic to Permian in age, based on analogs from the Khorat Plateau in Thailand. The South Bokor Lead represents the first of four subbasins covered by the seismic program, with remaining data from other areas expected by late October.
Anticlines like the South Bokor Lead contribute to the majority of global oil and gas discoveries, though drilling is required to confirm the presence of impermeable rock layers necessary to trap hydrocarbons. The mission for EnerCam is to discover Cambodia's first commercial onshore oil and gas, as the country currently imports all its hydrocarbon-based energy products, spending several billion dollars annually according to data from https://oec.world/en/profile/country/khm.
The seismic program employed 38 Khmer residents and 15 contractors from Thailand using EnviroSeis equipment across 24 lines spanning three provinces. Edwards praised the Khmer teams for their performance despite challenges, noting that initial data clearly shows gross structure and various bright spots and unconformities, though interpretation remains in early stages.
Mike Weeks, President of EnerCam, emphasized that proving commercial oil and gas in Cambodia begins with seismic data sufficient to determine drill targets. The identification of an anticline with four-way closure in the first subbasin provides the foundation for building a robust program as interpretation continues across the completed seismic area. With no history of onshore drilling in Cambodia, the target determination process takes longer, but by year-end the company expects to know if a multi-hole exploratory drill program can be planned for next year.
Professional geologist Justin Snelling described preliminary views of seismic reflections across the structure as mostly sub-parallel bedded, with features suggesting a potential thick sealing mudstone band that could form an effective seal above the mapped surface. Reflections within the anticline show discontinuous, structurally complex patterns with higher amplitudes, indicating possible significant reservoir rock development. However, drilling remains essential to determine rock composition and potential hydrocarbon content within the four-way closure structure.
Additional processing and interpretation continues across all 24 lines of completed seismic data as the company works toward confirming Cambodia's first commercial onshore oil and gas discovery.