# Criterium Energy advances Tungkal gas development, targets first gas in H1 2026 - Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/criterium-energy-advances-tungkal-gas-development-targets-first-gas-in-h1-2026/4121243682 - Published: 2025-11-20T12:49:00+00:00 - Author: Amilia Stone **Criterium Energy Ltd. **(TSXV:CEQ), an independent upstream energy development and production company focused on energizing growth for Southeast Asia, has provided an operational update on the Southeast Mengoepeh and North Mengoepeh gas development projects, in addition to providing financial and operating results for the three- month period ended September 30, 2025. > “_The SE-MGH development continues at a remarkable pace, with key commercial agreements > in the final stages of negotiations, we remain on track and below budget to achieve > first gas from SE-MGH in the first half of 2026,” said Matthew Klukas, President > and CEO of Criterium Energy. “SE-MGH will be a transformational cornerstone that > will underpin future gas development in the Tungkal PSC, diversifying production > and strengthening cash flow that will lead to a strengthened balance sheet and > cash flow per share growth. Strengthening our balance sheet will not just come > from increased cash flow but through the management of tax liabilities, and our > team is working diligently with Indonesian regulators and the government tax office > to address these issues and strengthen working capital in the near term.”_ **Q3 2025 Operational & Financial Highlights** * **Successful SEM-01 extended well test: **SEM-01 tested 7 mmcf/d at 40/64″ choke and up to 8 mmcf/d at 48/64″ choke^(2). The results are aligned with Management expectations and support the immediate development of the 15 bcf (equivalent to 2.5 MMboe^(3)) of contingent resource^(1). * **SE-MGH production volume: **Pressure data collected during the extended well test and subsequent dynamic reservoir modeling support a production plateau of 5 – 7 mmcf/d^(1). Management also estimates that resources may increase beyond the 15 bcf through the drilling of a second production well. Further information to be communicated in the Company’s 2025 Reserve Report, scheduled to be released in Q1 2026. * **SE-MGH to be developed within Cash Flow:** Overall project budget has been reduced to US$2 – $3 million (initial estimate was US$3 – $5 million) of which approximately US$1.7 million has been incurred to date. Remaining costs include land acquisition for the pipeline connecting SE-MGH to existing infrastructure and approximately US$1 million of contingencies. The Company reiterates its ability to bring SE-MGH online within cash flow from operations and forecasts first gas in H1 2026. * **Pipeline vendor selected, remaining commercial contracts on track:** Criterium has signed a Letter of Intent with PT Dredolf Indonesia (“Dredolf”) for the construction of the SE-MGH pipeline. Construction is scheduled to commence in early 2026. The Facility Sharing Agreement (“FSA”) and Gas Sales Agreement (“GSA”) contracting process remains on track with gas sales price anticipated to be aligned with recent sales in South Sumatra of US$6 – $7/mmbtu range, an increase from management’s initial estimate of US$5 – $7/mmbtu^(4). * **N-MGH extended well test scheduled for Q1 2026: **MGH-20 tested 2.5 mmcf/d^( 5) with associated oil, suggesting commercial flowrates from the N-MGH field. The tested interval was only one of multiple zones which are believed to be gas bearing. In Q1 2026, the Company will perforate these additional zones to understand the full gas resource potential of N-MGH. * **Tungkal Gas development takes shape: **The successful tests at SE-MGH and N- MGH and progress with pipeline, facility, and gas sales agreements support development of both fields with anticipated first gas in H1 2026 from SE-MGH followed by N-MGH. Both fields will be developed via pipeline which will connect to existing and underutilized processing and transportation infrastructure. Following this development, the Company will turn its focus to Macan Gedang (contingent resources of 13 bcf^(1)), Cerah (best case prospective resources of 26 bcf^(1)), and MGH- 43 (volumes under evaluation) over the next two to three years. * **Bulu PSC Gas development progress: **Criterium, via a wholly owned subsidiary, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with PT Kalimantan Jawa Gas (“KJG”) to collaborate on gas development and transportation for industrial supply to Central, East, and West Java via the KJG Pipeline. The KJG Pipeline is an existing pipeline located approximately 25 km from the Lengo Field in the Bulu PSC. * **Q3 2025 production below forecast:** Production averaged 784 bbl/d in Q3 2025 ^(6), below prior Management estimates. The reduction was due to mechanical issues at key production wells in PLT and MGH during the SEM-01 re-entry operations, which were unable to be remedied quickly during SEM-01 testing. The issues have been resolved, and wells are back online. * **Positive Cash Flow from Operations in Q3 2025: **Despite a reduction in oil production compared to Q2 2025, operating cash flow remained positive at C$333 thousand, further demonstrating the Company’s continued focus on managing operating costs and driving gas development. **Adjusted Financial and Operational Summary** | | **Three months ended** | | **($000 CAD, except per share and per boe amounts)** | September 30, 2025 | June 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | | **Financial** | | | | | Petroleum sales | 6,898 | 7,542 | 8,240 | | Cash flow from (used in) operating activities | 333 | 164 | 1,513 | | **Net Income (Loss)** | (3,760) | (1,237) | (1,306) | | Capital Expenditures | (696) | (714) | (2,781) | | Weighted average common shares outstanding (000s) | 136,375 | 136,375 | 132,356 | | Weighted average fully diluted shares outstanding (000s) | 233,371 | 233,371 | | | **Operating** | | | | | Average daily production^(6) (bbl/d) | 784 | 890 | 879 | | **Netbacks ($CAD/bbl)** | | | | | Petroleum and natural gas sales | 99.08 | 96.66 | 109.87 | | Royalties (Government Take) | (23.81) | (17.85) | (26.72) | | Production Costs | (43.56) | (35.77) | (32.68) | | Operating Netback^(7) | 31.71 | 43.04 | 50.52 | Criterium’s unaudited financial results and supporting Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025 is available on Sedar + and can also be found on the Company’s website (Reports & Filings). **Tungkal PSC Gas Development – Building and Diversifying the Production Portfolio** For the remainder of 2025, management intends to develop the Company’s gas assets with an eye toward diversifying production beyond oil, backed by long-term Gas Sales Agreements (“GSAs”) and funded by expected operating cash flow. The intent is to focus on the SE-MGH field (base case 2C contingent resource of 15 bcf^(1)), targeting production in H1 2026 followed by production from N-MGH thereafter. Subsequently, Criterium intends to develop the Macan Gedang gas asset, where the Macan Gedang-1 well encountered gas in the Gumai Formation and tested at 5 mmcf/ d^(8), with the intention of bringing production online in 2027. The Company’s most recent resource report dated March 14, 2025 indicated a 2C gas resource at Macan Gedang of 13 bcf^(1). In addition to SE-MGH, N-MGH, and Macan Gedang, the Tungkal PSC contains additional potential gas. Specifically, (i) the Cerah-1 well, drilled in 2008 encountered gas shows in the Gumai Formation but was not tested at the time due to low gas prices and lack of accessible infrastructure. Best case prospective resources in Cerah are expected to be 26 bcf recoverable^(1); and (ii) gas shows were encountered in the Gumai Formation during the drilling of the MGH-43 infill well which is still being evaluated. The volumes from MGH-43 and other associated gas from the MGH field can be produced via the planned pipeline connecting N-MGH to SE-MGH. ![CEQ (CEQ)](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ CEQ-1024x447.jpg "Criterium Energy advances Tungkal gas development, targets first gas in H1 2026 (CEQ)") _**SE-MGH Development**_ The Company successfully re-entered the SEM-01 well and completed an extended well test in August 2025. The well sustained rates of 7 mmcf/d through a 40/64″ choke over a 48-hour period and achieved up to 8 mmcf/d through a 48/64″ choke^(2). The Company did not proceed to a larger choke size due to limitations of the existing flare pit but collected sufficient data to support reserve certification and to underpin a binding GSA. SE-MGH will be initially developed with the existing SEM-01 well with a base case production plateau of 6 mmcf/d for a period of six years^(1). Pressure data collected during the extended well test and subsequent dynamic reservoir modeling suggests that a second production well may increase production, plateau period, and ultimate recovery beyond the current base case estimate of 15 bcf. The produced gas from SEM-01 will be transported approximately 14 km via a new pipeline to existing processing and transportation facilities (the “SE-MGH Pipeline”). Gas from SE-MGH requires minimal processing which will consist of removing water and small amounts of condensate which can be sold into domestic markets. Given the strong reservoir pressure of over 1,000 psig^(2) no compression is required during the initial production phase, thus reducing upfront capital costs. After a competitive procurement process, Criterium has signed a Letter of Intent(“ LOI”) with PT Dredolf Indonesia for the construction of the SE-MGH Pipeline. Under this LOI, Dredolf will fund and construct the pipeline with Criterium paying a monthly transportation fee commencing upon first production. Dredolf has extensive experience in the Indonesian infrastructure sector with successful onshore and offshore pipeline construction projects. The pipeline will be properly sized to accommodate potential incremental volumes from N-MGH and gas produced from the MGH field. The anticipated sales point for gas produced from the Tungkal PSC will be the TGI metering station (see illustration above) which has access to SE Asia’s largest demand centers in South Sumatra, Java, and Singapore. Criterium is progressing towards a binding Heads of Agreement and GSA with a credible Indonesia offtaker. Pricing will be determined upon successful execution of the GSA, however recent contracts in South Sumatra have ranged between US$6 – $7/mmbtu^(4). GSAs offer significant benefit to Criterium as they provide stable long-term fixed price, therefore gas production is not subject to external price fluctuations as it is with oil sales, building a steady and resilient cash flow profile. The estimated capital required to achieve first production from SE-MGH has been reduced to US$2 – $3 million net to Criterium, with approximately US$1.7 million spent to date. The remaining costs include land acquisition required for the SE- MGH Pipeline and approximately US$1 million for contingencies during pipeline construction. The Company reiterates its ability to achieve first production with current cash on balance sheet combined with cash flow from operations. _**N-MGH Development**_ The N-MGH field consists of four wells drilled to date which were all shut-in in 2014 due to high gas production rates and no means of offtake. Criterium intends to produce gas from a maximum of two wells (MGH-20 & MGH-32) with incremental oil production also expected. Oil produced from N-MGH can be stored on site and transported via truck to the MGH Central Processing Facility located 7 km away on existing roads owned by Criterium. In July 2025, the Company conducted an initial flow test at the re-entered MGH-20 well in N-MGH, which flowed 2.5 mmcf/d through an 8/64″ choke with associated oil production of approximately 215 bbls^(5). This initial test produced gas from one of at least four zones within the Talang Aker Formation which are anticipated to be gas-bearing. In Q1 2026, Criterium will perforate three additional intervals to understand the full gas resource potential of the N-MGH field. The gas from N-MGH is anticipated to be produced via a newly constructed pipeline connecting the field to the SE-MGH Pipeline (the “N-MGH Pipeline”). The N-MGH Pipeline will conveniently utilize existing right of ways and connect the MGH Central Processing Facility to gas egress, thus allowing any associated gas within the MGH field or identified gas zones within the MGH field to flow to sales markets at minimal additional costs. Construction and funding mechanism of the N-MGH Pipeline is anticipated to be of similar structure to that of the SE-MGH Pipeline. The estimated capital requirement for N-MGH, including the production testing of additional zones within MGH-20 and MGH-32 is anticipated to be less than US$ 1 million net to Criterium. Final costs will depend on the agreed pipeline funding mechanism. All gas sold from N-MGH will be sold within the terms and conditions of the GSA currently being completed for the Tungkal PSC. **Bulu Asset Update** Given the continued delay of the original transaction dated May 21, 2024, Criterium Energy has taken a more active role in the development of the Lengo gas field, including notifying KrisEnergy (Satria) Ltd. (the “Operator”) of numerous breaches and deficiencies identified in the Joint Operating Agreement. Following the failure of the Operator to remedy these deficiencies, Criterium has held discussions with key project stakeholders with an aim to revise the development plan and progress key commercial contracts including transportation agreements and gas sales agreements. To support this initiative, Criterium, via a wholly owned subsidiary, signed an MOU with KJG which underpins our shared commitment to advancing a long-term gas infrastructure project involving the Lengo Gas Field and the KJG Pipeline. Lengo is located within the Bulu PSC and contains an estimated gross 2C contingent resource of 360 bcf^(9). Criterium holds a 42.5% non-operated working interest in the Bulu PSC. KJG owns and operates an offshore pipeline servicing the East, Central, and West Java markets and is conveniently located approximately 25 km from the Lengo field. **Outlook** Based on the capital program and activities for the SE-MGH development, Criterium believes it has the potential to more than double current oil equivalent production in H1 2026 which it expects to fund from operating cash flow. By duplicating its SE-MGH development strategy on nearby N-MGH and Macan Gedang, production can be increased further with relatively modest capital expenditures to generate improved, near-term returns. During the next 12 months, key milestones for the Company and its gas developments in the Tungkal PSC and Bulu PSC include: * **Gas Sales Agreement and other commercial agreements:** With the pipeline vendor identified, attention now shifts to finalizing terms with the credible domestic Indonesian offtaker for a long-term GSA. These agreements will provide Criterium with processing and transportation services, connecting produced gas from the Tungkal PSC to under-supplied gas markets. * **Extended well testing of N-MGH: **Mobilizing the Company’s service rig to conduct extended well testing at MGH-20 and MGH-32 to confirm well deliverability and support the plan of development and pipeline construction for gas at the N-MGH field. * **SE-MGH & N-MGH site preparations: **Pending the finalization of the GSA and other commercial contracts, the Company will commence pipeline construction at SE-MGH and subsequently N-MGH to accommodate production and transportation of produced gas. * **Tungkal First Gas:** With the successful completion of the SE-MGH Pipeline, Criterium anticipates initial production from SE-MGH to be 5 – 7 mmcf/d^(1) which can be further supplemented with 2 – 3 mmcf/d^(5) from the successful completion of the N-MGH Pipeline. * **Bulu PSC stakeholder engagement: **Criterium will coordinate with the Bulu PSC Operator, and the Indonesian oil and gas regulator, SKK MIGAS, to develop commercial terms with KJG for gas transportation, in addition to revising the plan of development for the Lengo gas field. Management continues to monitor and assess the cash flow impact and margin implications of volatile global commodity pricing driven by the rapidly shifting macroeconomic environment. However, management firmly believes that this environment reinforces the Company’s strategy focused on acquiring undercapitalized assets in an energy hungry Southeast Asian market. With a portfolio that contains contingent resources heavily weighted towards natural gas, which attracts stable long-term pricing in domestic markets the Company is primed to materially increase and diversify production in the near term. Share on: