Southeast Asian NOCs take different paths
Petronas, PTT and Pertamina are pursuing divergent strategies after coming to dominate the region’s upstream in recent years
The NOCs of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are heading in different directions. Malaysia’s Petronas is seeing success in boosting output, particularly at home; Thailand’s PTT is seeking opportunities beyond the domestic market; and Indonesia’s Pertamina is striving to reverse the country’s declining production. Petronas expects the rebounding oil and gas sector will allow it to continue its “current trajectory”—“given modest recovery in demand underpinned by improvements of economic activities globally”. Similarly, PTT expects global oil and energy demand to continue to rebound, although Covid risk persists and the outlook for Iranian supply and potential impact of strategic petroleum rese
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub






