Abstract

Petroleum exploration activity in eastern Asia is increasing at present, both in geophysical exploration and offshore drilling of wildcat wells. Success ratios in certain areas are impressive relative to the world-wide average and innovative production development schemes coupled with higher prices for crude oil have made development of marginal fields feasible. Offshore exploration has been assisted by the settlement of international boundary disputes between several countries. National oil companies in each country are increasing their equity participation in exploration and production ventures, while state-controlled companies from outside the region are also increasing their involvement.

Highlights of activity are reviewed by country for Southeast Asia and also for the adjacent areas of the Northwest Shelf, Australia, and off-shore People’s Republic of China. The new surge of exploration activity will find new oil and gas reserves. Rarely, there will be some major finds and prospects for such large accumulations appear to be favourable in offshore PRC, offshore Malaysia, parts of Indonesia, and the Northwest Shelf. Most likely, many of the discoveries will be small accumulations, as expected from carbonate reefs in the Philippines, parts of Indonesia, and eastern Malaysia. These small fields can be combined with others nearby to form commercial-sized accumulations.