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AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 62 (1978)

Issue: 10. (October)

First Page: 1978

Last Page: 2043

Title: Petroleum Developments in Far East in 1977

Author(s): G. L. Fletcher (2)

Abstract:

Petroleum activity in the Far East during 1977 witnessed a slight recession compared to 1976. Peninsular Malaysia, India, and the Philippines registered significant gains. Areas which declined significantly were Bangladesh, Burma, and Thailand. Indonesia, which encompasses about 25% of the total activity showed a 12% decline.

Approximately 426 exploratory wells were reported in the region compared to 504 in 1976. Again, as in 1976, 27% of these were drilled in Indonesia. Exploratory wells drilled in 1977 resulted in discovery of 32 oil fields and 17 gas fields. This total excludes the People's Republic of China, Afghanistan, India, onshore Bangladesh, and Burma, because they do not release official results of onshore drilling.

Production during 1977 rose to approximately 4,062,600 BOPD, a 6.6% increase. India, Indonesia, and the People's Republic of China all registered sizable gains to account for most of the increase.

The most significant discoveries, although they do not represent large quantities of hydrocarbons, were in the Philippines and Thailand. These discoveries appear to have added the quantity necessary to allow these countries to become commercial producers of hydrocarbons for the first time. The People's Republic of China also apparently had a major discovery in the East China Sea, north of Hainan Island, but no details are known.

During 1977 there was a general pull-back by foreign contractors into the more established petroleum provinces. The exception was in Vietnam where contract negotiations continued by several companies. Acreage blocks were awarded to AGIP, Deminex, and Elf-Aquitaine. Also in the Philippines, owing to the implementation of seismic option contracts, large areas were taken. These areas are subject to further negotiations if companies wish to extend their option to drill. On the negative side, major relinquishments occurred in Bangladesh, Burma, Maldive Islands, Sri Lanka, the Andaman Sea in offshore Thailand, and South Korea. These areas apparently showed little exploration encouragement to foreign contractors. It is interesting to note there are no foreign contractors represented in Burma and South Korea, 2 of the active "new" areas in 1976.

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