China has again been contesting Malaysian oil and gas activity in the South China Sea. This time Beijing has been targeting Thai state-backed upstream player PTT Exploration & Production’s (BKK:PTTEP) upstream drilling operations offshore Sabah.
The Malaysian government and state-backed Petronas have made commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions. However, these goals become particularly challenging when many undeveloped fields with high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide need to be tapped to backfill Malaysia’s LNG export complex in the coming years.
South Korea’s Posco International has officially been awarded a production-sharing contract (PSC) for Block PM524 in Peninsular Malaysia.
Australian company Timor Resources will drill three exploration wells onshore East Timor as the nation hopes for commercial success. The three wells will be drilled as part of a back-to-back campaign that started late October.
Italy’s Eni (BIT:ENI) has shut down a well at its Merakes field in its East Sepinggan production-sharing contract (PSC) offshore East Kalimantan, Indonesia, due to subsurface problems. This has triggered a production loss of about 60 million cubic feet per day, according to Indonesian upstream regulator SKK Migas.
Australian company Timor Resources has spudded the first onshore well in East Timor in more than 50 years as the Southeast Asian nation, also known as Timor Leste, hopes for an oil bonanza.
Harbour Energy (LON:HBR) is seeking a platform supply vessel (PSV) to support its Andaman deep-water drilling programme offshore Indonesia.
ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) is reportedly discussing acquiring stakes in some deepwater fields from state-backed India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
SKK Migas, Indonesia’s upstream regulator, said Italy’s Eni (BIT:ENI) is closer to a takeover bid for Chevron’s (NYSE:CVX) giant Indonesia Deepwater Development (IDD).
ExxonMobil’s (NYSE:XOM) board of directors is debating whether to continue with several major oil and gas projects, that have high projected emissions profiles, as the supermajor reconsiders its investment strategy in a fast-changing energy landscape, the WSJ reported.
The Philippines' energy ministry yesterday defended the sale of the Malampaya gas project - formerly controlled by a Shell (AMS:RDSA) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX) joint venture - to a company run by an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, dismissing a graft complaint.
Malaysia’s state-owned energy company Petronas is planning to build a third multi-billion dollar floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit to help solve challenges commercialising gas offshore Sabah in Malaysia as part of an effort to appease ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) and Shell (AMS:RDSA) following losses related to an upstream development.
UK-based Aquadrill – formerly Seadrill Partners – reported that its Capella drillship will head to Indonesia’s Andaman area to carry out a deep-water drilling programme for Harbour Energy (LON:HBR) and Repsol (BME:REP).
Production and reserves at ExxonMobil’s (NYSE:XOM) giant Cepu Block - rumoured to be a divestment candidate - have exceeded expectations, reported Indonesian upstream regulator SKK Migas.
Indonesian national energy company Pertmina plans to invest $3 billion in the giant Rokan Block over the next five years in an effort to maintain upstream production after taking over operatorship from Chevron. Crucially, Pertamina said it is also seeking for partners interested in jointly developing chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology after failing to acquire the knowhow from Chevron (NYSE:CVX).
Malaysian national energy company Petronas is expected to accelerate final investment decisions (FIDs) for upstream oil and gas projects between 2022 and 2023 following a sharp decline over 2020-21, according to the latest research from Rystad Energy.
State-backed Thai player PTT Exploration & Production’s (PTTEP’s) new chief executive, Montri Rawanchaikul, intends to strengthen the firm’s core upstream business in Southeast Asia, while preparing for new energy opportunities.
Indonesian independent Medco Energi (IDX:MEDC) operator of South Natuna Sea Block B offshore Indonesia, has started shooting 270 square km of 3D seismic at the Kaci field starting on 29 September, according to upstream regulator SKK Migas.
Asia Pacific-focused Jadestone Energy (LON:JSE) today said it has successfully tied the Montara H6 development well into the Montara field facilities offshore Australia in the Timor Sea and started production.
Harbour Energy (LON:HBR) and its partner Zarubezhneft have successfully completed their first appraisal well in the Tuna Block in the Natuna Sea offshore Indonesia despite reports that Chinese vessels had been meddling in the area.
China’s national oil companies, CNPC, CNOOC, and Sinopec, are expected to spend over $120 billion on drilling and well services by 2025 to help meet rising domestic oil and gas demand. With 118,000 wells estimated to be drilled in China, analysts at Rystad Energy reckon there will be significant opportunities for innovative suppliers.
Multiple shale gas exploration wells are being drilled in the remote Beetaloo basin in Australia’s Northern Territory and recent results have raised expectations that the area could be on par with shale gas plays in North America. Significantly, investors could finally find out whether the shale play is commercial by the end of next year.
Indonesian upstream regulator SKK Migas has approved ExxonMobil’s plans to restart drilling at its giant Cepu Block in a bid to find new reserves and stem falling output at the country’s largest oil producing block.
East Timor is extending the deadline for its second licensing round in an effort to drum up more interest from international oil companies (IOCs) and national oil companies (NOCs).
Aberdeen-based Wood and National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) today announced that the pair have teamed up to deliver an artificial intelligence (AI) software solution for offshore asset inspections that could create savings of A$2.8 billion ($2 billion) per year.