Asian Oil And Gas Digital

Searah (Malaysia) launched upstream oil and gas operations in Malaysia from July 1, it said on Friday, after completing the transfer of operatorship from Petronas Carigali, a subsidiary of state energy firm Petronas. The oil and gas company is the Malaysian operating entity of Searah Limited, a joint venture between Petronas and Italian energy major Eni ENI.MI. Searah (Malaysia) has assumed operatorship of key production sharing contracts in Malaysia, the company said in a statement.

Japan's Inpex on Thursday launched construction of its long-delayed $21 billion Abadi LNG project in Indonesia's Masela gas block, in a ceremony that was livestreamed. Production from the plant is expected to start around 2030. Here are some details: The Abadi LNG project will include an LNG plant with annual capacity of 9.5 million metric tons, and a gas pipeline facility with capacity of 150 million cubic feet per day.

Fewer vessels travelled through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the first day after the U.S. reimposed its naval blockade on Iranian ports with both countries escalating strikes across the Gulf, shipping data showed. Nine vessels crossed the strait on Wednesday, mostly on the Iranian route, down from 13 the previous day, Kpler data showed. There were no Very Large Crude Carrier or liquefied natural gas tankers visibly passing through the strait on Wednesday.

Oil extended gains by around 2% on Wednesday as President Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to close "all other export corridors that benefit the U.S. and its allies". Brent futures LCOc1 climbed $1.71, or 2%, to $86.44 a barrel at 0806 GMT. West Texas Intermediate futures CLc1 gained $1.43, or 1.8%, to $80.77 a barrel.

Sunda Energy has submitted an application for a new petroleum exploration permit covering an offshore area of New Zealand's Taranaki Basin as the company expands its focus on gas opportunities in the country. The proposed permit covers approximately 645 square kilometers off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island and includes the Awakino gas condensate field, which was originally drilled in 1985.

Aberdeen-headquartered well integrity and decommissioning specialist Unity has entered the Asia-Pacific market after securing its first regional contract in partnership with Malaysian oilfield services company Reservoir Link. The companies will jointly deliver a three-well rigless intervention program for a major international offshore operator in Malaysia, marking Unity's first significant project in the region.

Oil prices rose on Tuesday to their highest in four weeks, as the U.S. reimposed a naval blockade of Iran and renewed attacks between Washington and Tehran heightened concerns over energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up $2.74, or 3.29%, at $86.04 per barrel at 0751 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 rose $2.21, or 2.83%, to $80.35 a barrel. Brent crude rose to its highest since June 12 and WTI to its highest since June 16.

Malaysia-based offshore drilling contractor Velesto Energy has terminated the sale of its jack-up drilling rig NAGA 3 to Indonesia's PT Indonesia Drilling Energy after the transaction failed to complete within the agreed timeframe. The company said its subsidiary, Velesto Drilling, issued a notice of termination to the buyer on June 30, 2026, with the sale and purchase agreement officially terminating on July 7, 2026.

James Fisher and Sons and Aquaterra Energy have formed a strategic global partnership to provide integrated offshore decommissioning services, combining front-end engineering, well access, subsea operations and offshore execution under a single delivery model. The collaboration is designed to streamline well abandonment and offshore infrastructure removal projects by reducing contractor interfaces and improving coordination from project planning through execution.

Noble Corporation has secured a contract with unnamed client for its Noble Viking drillship, which will be engaged in drilling operations offshore Brunei. The contract comprises a firm scope of six wells, with an estimated contract value of approximately $136.2 million, excluding managed pressure drilling (MPD) and additional services.