Asia Pacific is preparing for a steady year of high impact exploration in 2026, with around 10 to 12 significant wells expected across the region.
While global exploration remains measured, activity here reflects a careful balance between ambition and financial discipline. Operators are focusing on frontier areas with the potential to unlock sizeable new plays, particularly in deep water settings.
Offshore Papua New Guinea, attention centres on the long anticipated Mailu prospect. This well is expected to test a frontier deep water carbonate play that could open a new chapter for exploration in the area. In Malaysia, deep water activity will also gather pace. The Jampuk and Langka prospects are both set to probe carbonate systems that remain lightly explored but technically promising.
Indonesia is likely to see renewed frontier drilling. Petronas may spud Akbar 1 in the Bobara production sharing contract in eastern Indonesia. If it proceeds, the well will bring an end to a twelve year pause in frontier deep water drilling in that region. At the same time, Eni continues its exploration efforts in the Kutei Basin, where it is drilling the large Miocene fan prospect known as Geliga. Success there could strengthen confidence in the wider basin.
In India, ONGC and Oil India are due to wrap up their frontier campaigns in the Andaman and Kerala Konkan basins in early 2026. The next phase of high impact drilling could then shift towards deeper waters, led by Vedanta Cairn India in the Krishna Godavari basin block KG DWHP 2017 1.
Australia is also expected to re enter the exploration scene. Santos is planning a return to drilling in the Roebuck Basin from late 2026, targeting potential Triassic plays at Curie and Ara. This marks a long awaited step back into frontier activity for the company.
Overall, Asia Pacific’s 2026 drilling programme signals cautious optimism, with several wells capable of reshaping the region’s exploration landscape.
