Rystad Energy predicts M&A bonanza in Southeast Asia

Rystad Energy has predicted a rise in upstream M&As in Southeast Asia in the next two years based on more than USD 5 million in assets on offer, the energy research intelligence entity reported on Tuesday.

The largest players in the region are Indonesia with upwards of USD 2 billion in upstream opportunities on offer; Malaysia with around USD 1.4 billion in assets for sale; and Vietnam with around USD 1 billion in prospects up for grabs.

Of the blocks on offer, 74% are in pre-FID stages, 21% are already producing and around 5% remain undeveloped.

The deals represent resources of around 4 million boe and 270,000 boepd, with a gas-to-liquids ratio of 63:37.

Around USD 700 million worth of upstream assets have been acquired in the region since the beginning of 2023.

“The sheer magnitude of the oil and gas deals in the region will reignite the sector, reducing a reliance on NOCs and major players that has developed in recent decades,” said Prateek Pandey, vice-president of upstream research of Rystad Energy.

The energy unit pointed to latest policy changes implemented in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand as reasons for the recent uptick in interest.