Southeast Asian nations poised for crucial decade
Future development prospects are mixed across the energy-hungry region
Southeast Asia’s energy needs continue to grow rapidly, and the 2020s are set to be a critical decade for the region’s upstream. Energy demand is projected to rise by 3pc a year this decade, and three-quarters of that increase will be met by fossil fuels, the IEA predicts. Upstream activity in the region is dominated by NOCs with varying approaches and priorities. But governments also need to attract foreign investment and expertise to develop significant projects. And like all developing nations, Southeast Asian countries are seeking to balance that need with the desire to maximise returns on their natural resources, as well as their respective carbon pledges. The regional outlooks for oil

Also in this section
7 August 2025
The quick, unified and decisive strategy to return all the barrels from the hefty tranche of cuts from the eight producers involved in voluntary curbs signals a shift and sets the tone for the path ahead
7 August 2025
Without US backing, the EU’s newest sanctions package against Russia—though not painless—is unlikely to have a significant impact on the country’s oil and gas revenues or its broader economy
6 August 2025
Diesel market disruptions have propelled crude prices above $100/bl twice in this century, and now oil teeters on the brink of another crude quality crisis
5 August 2025
After failed attempts to find a buyer for its stake in Russia’s largest oil producer, BP may be able to avoid the harsh treatment meted out to ExxonMobil and Shell when they exited—and could even restart operations if geopolitical conditions improve