Angkor Resources Corp. (TSXV: ANK) announced that its planned oil and gas exploration drilling program on Block VIII in Cambodia has advanced to an inter-ministerial review, following a meeting held July 14, 2026, in Phnom Penh. The meeting, a critical step in the review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the program, involved representatives from five government ministries and three provinces, underscoring the regulatory scrutiny and collaborative process behind the initiative.
Management of the company's wholly owned Cambodian energy subsidiary, EnerCam Resources Co., Ltd. (EnerCam), presented detailed plans for the drilling activities, emphasizing preventative and proactive measures to protect the environment and local communities during the exploratory phase. The meeting included over 26 representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Rural Development, along with officials from the General Department of Petroleum and local authorities who had previously visited each planned drill site.
Green Assessment Co., Ltd., the independent Cambodian EIA consultant, presented its 398-page EIA report alongside EnerCam. The EIA covers four sub-basins hosting drill targets for the planned four-well exploration program, which would mark Cambodia's first privately financed onshore oil and gas wells. Key topics addressed included sourcing and management of water and drilling fluid, safety protocols adhering to international well-control standards (IWCF and API), and post-drilling restoration plans. For productive wells, small well sites would be connected by buried pipeline to a central facility; for non-productive wells, the land would be fully restored to its original condition.
Mike Weeks, President of EnerCam, commented on the thorough and transparent process, stating, "The EIA lays out exactly how we will source and manage water and drilling fluid, keep each site safe, and restore the land if a well is not productive - all to international standards, and all done in partnership with the Ministries and the communities where we operate." The discussion also explored initiatives to expand ESG practices to ensure community benefits and protect land, water, and air quality.
Following the meeting, Green Assessment will compile further written responses to questions over the coming weeks for a final submission report to the Ministries. Once the report is complete, EnerCam plans to publish a tender for a drilling contractor to execute the exploration wells. This development represents a significant step forward for Angkor Resources and its mission to prove Cambodia as a nation with its own oil and gas resources. The company's energy subsidiary holds an onshore oil and gas license for Block VIII, covering approximately 4,095 km² after adjustments and expansions, including the addition of the Kirirom Basin. EnerCam completed 2D-seismic in 2025 and has identified multiple drill targets with multiple target zones, aiming to drill under a Production Sharing Contract.
