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Outlook 2026: How critical mineral partnerships are shaping ASEAN’s energy transition
The global race for critical minerals has become a defining feature of energy geopolitics, presenting the ASEAN region with both opportunity and risk
Reality bites for Indonesia’s oil ambition
A more pragmatic approach has seen the country reverse its production decline in 2025 but its 1m b/d target still seems out of reach
Thailand’s upstream revival picks up speed
The Southeast Asian producer has reversed declining output and is pushing on with a deepwater-focused new bidding round
Indonesia’s upstream picks up the pace
The government is optimistic that increasing offshore activity and exploration will help revive flagging production, despite energy security fears
Asia’s potential upstream powerhouse
Petronas-Eni eyes joint venture to prioritise key gas developments, with huge opportunities for growth in Indonesia and a steady Malaysia portfolio
Malaysia tackles upstream declines
Petronas is making huge efforts to arrest falling oil production and accelerate gas increases to meet rising demand, but political tensions persist
Hydrocarbon Processing Refining Databook 2025: Asia-Pacific
A burgeoning middle class is boosting demand for refining capacity in Asia, with China leading the way and India also with many projects underway
Thailand’s LNG readies for commercial transformation
The start of private LNG imports may trigger an evolution in the country’s policy of energy security to encompass commercial exploitation
Indonesia seeks to revitalise 1m b/d oil production dream
Policy initiatives will take time to reverse declining output, and restoring investor confidence is far from certain
Thailand and Cambodia eye oil and gas detente
Asian neighbours seek resolution on territorial dispute for hydrocarbons development that has spanned decades
Both Petronas and PTT are busy in Malaysian waters
Malaysia Thailand Indonesia Pertamina PTT PTTEP Petronas
Simon Ferrie
3 December 2021
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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

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