AsianOil - Asia Oil & Gas

Vietnam energy sector enters fresh growth phase

Vietnam’s oil and energy sector is poised to enter a fresh phase of expansion, underpinned by firmer crude prices and improving global market dynamics.

India set to maintain Russian oil imports after US court limits Trump tariff powers

India is likely to continue buying Russian crude despite trade tensions with the United States, after the Supreme Court of the United States curtailed former president Donald Trump’s authority to impose sweeping import tariffs

India’s oil import reliance tops 88.5% in FY26, may hit new peak

India’s dependence on imported crude oil climbed to more than 88.5% during the first 10 months of FY26, underscoring the likelihood that full-year import reliance could scale a fresh high

India's January LNG imports rise 15%

India’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports rose to 2.808bn cubic metres (bcm) in January 2026, marking a 15.3% increase compared with the same month a year earlier

Vietnam accelerates shift to E10 biofuel

Vietnam is preparing to introduce E10 biofuel nationwide from June 1, with fuel suppliers and refiners stepping up efforts to guarantee adequate supply, infrastructure and technical readiness ahead of the transition.

Russia executes triple ship-to-ship LNG transfer in Arctic

Transfers from sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 and the unsanctioned Yamal project work to obscure the source of the LNG.

China stays connected to US LNG sector despite import halt

China has marked a year since it last imported any LNG from the US, a timescale that now demonstrates the deepening all-round trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Thai Oil anticipates strong refining margins in 2026

Thai Oil’s vice president of financial planning has indicated that the firm’s gross refining margins are expected to remain robust throughout 2026.

Malaysia approves additional $42mn for two delayed MMEA offshore patrol vessels

The Malaysian government has sanctioned an extra MYR200mn (approximately $42mn) to finalise the construction of two long-delayed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA)

Indonesia launches its first ever micro-LNG facility

The success of the initial development at Pasuruan has already prompted further expansion in Indonesia. Galileo Technologies has already signed a new agreement for a second, larger liquefaction plant on the island of Kalimantan.

Germany’s Uniper signs 10-year LNG supply deal with India

Germany’s state-owned energy firm Uniper has inked a 10-year LNG supply deal with Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation.

Japan’s Inpex receives environmental approval for Abadi LNG project in Indonesia

Japan’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company Inpex has been given environmental approval from the Indonesian government for its Abadi LNG project.

Thai firms develop hotels at fuel hubs

PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR) and Central Plaza Hotel Public Company Limited (Centel), both listed on the Thai stock exchange, have unveiled plans to establish a joint venture aimed at developing and operating budget hotels

Australian orders halt to gas exports from Wandoo field after oil spill

Australia’s offshore regulator has ordered a halt to gas exports from the Wandoo field off Western Australia after an oil spill last year, citing what it described as “systemic failures” by the operator.

Japan's Inpex predicts 75% surge in LNG demand by 2035

Japan’s Inpex expects global demand for LNG to rise by about 75% to roughly 700mn tonnes per year by 2035.

Santos to slash global workforce by 10%

US forces board Venezuela-linked tanker in Indian Ocean

The vessel, the Veronica III, was operating under a Panamanian flag, according to the US Treasury Department, and was intercepted after a long-distance pursuit

Singapore bunker sales surge 16.5% on rising premiums

Marine fuel sales at Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub, began 2026 on a strong footing, supported by robust spot demand and firmer price premiums, according to port data and market participants

India widens crude sourcing while refiners retain buying flexibility

India will continue diversifying its crude oil import basket to strengthen energy security and preserve strategic autonomy, while allowing refiners to make independent purchasing decisions based on commercial considerations

Aramco sells first cargoes of Jafurah condensate

Aramco has commenced exports from its $100bn Jafurah unconventional gas development

Petrovietnam backs continued Ruby II operations

A floating production, storage and offloading vessel built in 1990 will remain in service offshore Vietnam until the close of 2027 after its owners secured a contract extension.

Canberra tightens LNG export rules, raising concerns in Singapore and Thailand

Canberra is preparing to tighten controls on LNG exports from its densely populated east coast, in a move that could reverberate across some parts of south-east Asia where buyers rely heavily on spot cargoes from Australia.

Political tensions do not disrupt Caltex Cambodia services

Caltex has reassured customers that its operations in Cambodia continue without disruption, despite the recent acquisition of Chevron Hong Kong by Thai energy firm Bangchak

China snaps up US-seized Venezuelan crude

China has purchased Venezuelan crude oil that was sold by the US following Washington’s seizure of President Nicolás Maduro in January and a number of the country’s oil tankers.

Russia ramps up oil sales to China while cutting Indian shipments sharply

Russia boosted seaborne oil exports to China in January while shipments to India fell sharply, highlighting deepening structural pressures on Moscow’s energy trade as buyers shift supply patterns.