A 2013 US EIA study estimated China held the world’s largest shale gas resources at over 1,160 Tcf. However, due to high exploration and production costs the sector has not met its growth expectations.

PTTEP announced in May its offshore Sirung-1 exploration well as an oil and gas discovery, intersecting a column of more than 100m in Miocene clastic reservoirs, in the shallow waters off the coast of Sarawak.

At, a virtual event held on 26 February 2021, with over 250 potential and existing investors, PETRONAS successfully launched the annual Malaysia Bid Round (MBR) 2021, with a total of 13 offshore exploration blocks on offer.

Eni appraise gas and condensate at Ken Bau in their 2021 drilling campaign in Block 114 of the offshore Song Hong Basin, Vietnam.

Geological fieldwork is important to help us gain a better understanding of the hydrocarbon development and potential productivity of the offshore Natuna basins of the South China Sea.

Exploring in Sumatra for oil and gas in naturally fractured and weathered basement reservoirs.

Although still heavily dependent on hydrocarbons, renewables are beginning to provide an increasing share of South East Asia’s energy.

In late 2020, ONGC completed BS-17-1 on the Mumbai High as an oil, gas and condensate discovery in the West of Bassein Mining Lease. This discovery is a satellite to the Panna and Mukta fields.

In the wake of Covid-19, oilfield service providers are turning to new technologies based on digitalisation and automation.

Bangladesh is geologically well positioned to pursue a strategy fuelled by natural gas, but the international Covid situation is causing continued delays; namely to the 2020 licensing round. This Hot Spot is brought to you in association with NVentures.

Floating down the Irrawaddy River is a wonderful way to appreciate both the geological and manmade wonders of Myanmar.

Eni, with partner Essar E&P, has appraised a large gas find with the Ken Bau-2X well in Block 114 of the Song Hong Basin, offshore Vietnam.

The Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo e Minerais Timor-Leste (ANPM) has invested in the latest data room technology to support ongoing 2nd Licensing Round and future oil and gas exploration in Timor-Leste.

Although the Philippines remains very much underexplored, working petroleum systems, proven hydrocarbon accumulations and an energy hungry economy suggest a promising future for oil and gas exploration and production in the region.

The experiences, lessons learned, and best practices of Chinese geoscientists working on difficult hydrocarbon reservoirs can be of benefit to others.