Monday, 12 August 2013

Asia – The New Middle East?



As demand for Oil and Gas imports in the U.S. falls, many are searching new horizons to export to, and many are turning towards the Asia – Pacific Market1.

There is no denying that Asian oil consumption will continue to rise for years to come. China recently signed a contract for 400,000 Mcf/day gas from the deep-water Shwe project in the Bay of Bengal to be delivered via the Myanmar/China pipeline2.

Energy demand is projected to almost double in the region by 2030, not only will Asia continue to import oil and gas, but also produce substantial quantities. Some would argue that Asia is beginning to overtake its less stable Middle East counterpart.

IOC's have been quick to snap up exploration blocks within the region. Indian Oil Ltd is currently exploring the available opportunities to expand into Asia3. Myanmar in particular offers a number of investment opportunities. Despite being one of the world's oldest oil producers, Myanmar's upstream sector is largely underdeveloped. Yet, with 10 million cubic feet of Natural gas to offer and another 50 million barrels of cruide oil, many IOCs are optimistic4

Myanmar frequently holds offshore licensing rounds, in April-June this year, 61 oil and gas companies pre-qualified. The list of pre-qualified companies included international majors such as ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Shell, Total, Statoil, Eni and Repsol. A further 18 onshore blocks will be awarded in December 2013. It is clear that since US sanctions were lifted and President Thein Sein took power, investor opinion has improved considerably 5.



The latest investment opportunities will be examined at the Asia Oil &Gas Awards 2013 ceremony which will be hosted alongside the 2-day Asia Offshore Oil and Gas Summit and the Bay of Bengal & Andaman Sea Oil and Gas Summit 18-19 November 2013 in Bangkok. These two unique events will bring together some of the world's leading industry professionals, including Energy ministers, Senior Oil and Gas company representatives, Contractors, Service Companies and Solution Providers. A number of awards will recognise, for instance, Exploration & Production Company of the Year, Local Content Initiative of the Year, CSR Initiative of the Year, Drilling & Well Services Company of the Year and Oil & Gas Logistics Company of the Year.

Keynote speakers include: Dr. Pyasvasti Amranand, Former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Thailand & Chairman of the Energy for Environment Foundation; Dr. Siri Jirapongphan, Executive Director, Petroleum Institute of Thailand (PTIT); Dr. Andrzej Bolesta, Economic Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Bangkok; Michael Mcwalte, Petroleum Advisor to Governments of Cambodia and Papua New Guinea; U Naing Maw Than, Vice President, Myanmar Geologists Society, Singapore (MGSS) and Chris Faulkner, CEO, Breitling Energy, plus many more!


5http://www.platts.com/latest-news/natural-gas/singapore/myanmar-to-award-offshore-blocks-in-2014-onshore-27251698

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