Energy

As it negotiates a new phase in exploration and production, Malaysia’s hydrocarbons industry received heartening news recently. Indeed, a large discovery mid-February off the shores of eastern Sarawak should help to temporarily halt the nation’s slow declining oil and gas output, dovetailing nicely with moves to boost exploration and production from marginal and deep-water prospects.

Indonesia’s energy industry is looking to ramp up investments at home and abroad to boost output and help meet the growing demand from the domestic market while maintaining its position as a leading natural gas exporter.

In an effort to satisfy a growing appetite for energy, Jordan is working to wean itself off costly imported oil and make better use of its own resources. The country hopes to attract $14bn in investments in energy infrastructure, including the construction of a nuclear reactor scheduled to come on stream in 2018, and efforts focused on developing renewables and oil shale.

While power outages and widespread lack of access to electricity have long been problems in Nigeria, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is seeking to breathe new life into the government’s electricity privatisation programme, and an influx of private investment may finally solve the country’s power troubles.

After months of anticipation, Ghana has joined the ranks of oil-producing nations. As the oil pumps get up to speed, so are the West African country’s plans for the newfound income.

Malaysia's national oil and gas giant Petronas plans to launch two major Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in November, Petronas Chemical and Malaysia Maritime and Heavy Engineering (MMHE), as part of a government initiative to transfer strategic assets to the private sector. The Petronas Chemical listing is set to become one of the biggest IPOs in Malaysian – and indeed South-east Asian – history.