Thailand joins Asia gas-reserves search

Facing voracious demand for energy, Asian countries are planning either to increase imports or seek new upstream opportunities

Thailand's PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) is chasing gas supplies everywhere from Mozambique to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It's doing so in a year that should, according to GlobalData, produce a host of licensing opportunities under more hydrocarbon-friendly fiscal regimes throughout Asia and Oceania, as other countries wake up to the threat of imminent shortages. For instance, under the new revenue-sharing terms of the Hydrocarbon Exploration Licencing Policy (HELP), India will launch its first bidding round, while Indonesia will auction off more areas under its gross-split regime. The demand for foreign direct investment is rising rapidly.