In the Far East during 1976 more than 200 exploratory wells were drilled with Indonesia accounting for 55% of the drilling activity. Production of 3,809,300 BOPD was reported including an estimated 1,700,000 BOPD from the People's Republic of China. The 1976 production, excluding China, was 2,109,300 a 16% increase from the 1975 production of 1,817,915 BOPD. Indonesia accounted for 70% of the production. Natural gas production figures are incomplete, but average daily production exceeds 5.9 Bcf.

A total of 54 new fields was discovered, with 36 of the discoveries reported from Indonesia. Pakistan reported a discovery of a major oil and gas reserve at the Dhodak field. Three discoveries also were reported on the Bombay High area of India where production began in 1976. The first 2 offshore discoveries were reported in the Philippines. Much of the drilling was concentrated in newly awarded areas in Bangladesh, Burma, and Thailand. Unfortunately, no successes were reported in these new areas.

Renegotiation of contracts slowed activities in Malaysia and Indonesia. New contracts were signed late in the year in both countries. The Brunei Government also announced that their contact with Brunei Shell Petroleum was renegotiated in late 1975. Companies showed interest in resuming exploration in South Vietnam but no rights were awarded by the new government. Major acreage relinquishments were made in South Korea where past exploration was unsuccessful.