TMK lifts Mongolian gas output ahead of July drilling

TMK Energy has moved a step closer to its goal of declaring its Mongolian Gurvantes XXXV coal seam gas pilot well project commercial after posting higher May production.

The company has also lined up a July drilling date for up to three new wells and a possible well workover campaign, along with progressing a small-scale gas-to-power project.

Average daily gas production for May at Gurvantes rose four per cent to 24,260 standard cubic feet per day (scfd) despite several interruptions across the field.

The company said its best well, LF-07, continued to lead the way, with a rapid increase in March to 17,900 scfd, while in May it delivered more than 10,000 scfd on average for the month before recently lifting to between 11,000 and 12,000 scfd.

The overall result came despite LF-03 being offline for most of May while waiting on a pump replacement, LF-02 being temporarily shut in for testing and back flushing, and LF-01 undergoing mechanical repairs.

Field water production fell 10 per cent to 450 barrels per day, which TMK attributed mainly to those interruptions.

TMK says planning for its 2026 pilot production drilling is well advanced, with a tender announced in Mongolia for up to three additional production wells and long-lead items already ordered ahead of a targeted July start.

Management has also adjusted its drilling and completions design by reducing hole and pump sizes to improve productivity, drawing on lessons from LF-07, the field’s best gas producer.

In anticipation of higher gas flow, the company recently announced the appointment of Danny Chong as production manager. TMK says his early analysis has already highlighted opportunities to lift output from existing wells and refine the design of new wells and possible workovers to boost gas production across the field.

TMK Energy chief executive officer Dougal Ferguson said: “During May, our focus remained on finalising the 2026 drilling and workover program for commencement in July 2026. A huge amount of work has been undertaken by our drilling, engineering and operations team in recent weeks to develop a work program which has the highest possible chance of delivering early gas, whether that be from existing wells or drilling new pilot production wells.”

In the coal seam gas industry, a workover is a major intervention on an existing production well that can involve pulling out, repairing or replacing downhole equipment. Unlike routine maintenance, workovers typically require heavy specialised equipment to fix mechanical issues or improve reservoir performance.

TMK has also executed an