In 1983, the Far East region was again one of the more active regions of the world for exploration. Exploratory drilling increased 19%, line-kilometers of seismic increased, and development drilling was up 40%.

Despite the active exploration pace in 1983, no major oil or gas discoveries were made in the region. Indonesia, India, Japan, and Pakistan recorded multiple discoveries, but reserves in individual finds appear to be modest.

As usual, Indonesia was the most active country for which detailed data is available. India followed with the next most active exploration program. Its effort appears to be gaining momentum and showing significant positive results. The remainder of the region, with the exception of onshore Thailand, proceeded slowly at the same pace as previous years and, generally speaking, with the same results. Possible bright spots in this picture are Japan and Pakistan, where encouraging oil discoveries were found during the year.

Oil production in the Far East region increased 7% in 1983. The majority of the 300,000 BOPD increase came from India (+81,000 BOPD), Malaysia (+79,860), and People's Republic of China (+100,000). Gas production increased a healthy 8%, mainly due to start-up of the Bintulu LNG facility in Malaysia and inclusion of additional processing trains at Indonesia's LNG facilities.

Several new companies began to explore in the Far East during 1983. Although acreage acquisition appears to have declined during the year, continued enthusiasm for exploration projects was evidenced by increases in exploratory drilling and seismic throughout the region.