Deep in the Andaman Sea, dormant natural gas is being awakened. When Western capital withdraws from Myanmar's energy map, the resource game in the Indo Pacific region quietly changes - Thai state-owned enterprises take the lead, Chinese and Russian forces accelerate infiltration, and a geopolitical battle surrounding deep-sea gas fields has quietly begun.

Project restart progress

Myanmar's natural gas development has restarted, and Thai state-owned enterprises and other enterprises are conducting drilling and production preparations for new blocks. After the changes in the situation in 2021, companies from the United States, Europe, and Japan have gradually withdrawn, and Myanmar, located in the important Indo Pacific region, is restructuring its resource and interest landscape.

At the end of July 2026, Myanmar and Thailand's PTTEP signed a gas supply agreement, with plans to put offshore M3 block into operation by the end of 2028, producing natural gas to supply Myanmar's thermal power plants. The project was originally planned to invest 2 billion US dollars, but due to the turbulent situation, the original cooperative enterprise has withdrawn. Myanmar will form a new government in April elections, and PTTEP will restart projects accordingly. Drilling equipment will be finalized in May.

Multiple countries compete to lay out

More than 15% of Thailand's natural gas comes from Myanmar, and local gas sources are gradually depleting. It is hoped that the M3 block will fill the supply gap. The Thai side also plans to promote cooperation in the A6 deep-sea gas field, which was previously stalled due to the withdrawal of foreign investment and insufficient local funding and technology. Chevron and other Western companies have successively withdrawn from local projects, while foreign companies have transferred their rights to Myanmar oil fields to Chinese companies. Myanmar welcomes foreign investment to develop deep-sea gas fields, and officials have revealed that some blocks have considerable reserves. Canadian Yuanwang Group holds an 80% stake in the M15 block and plans to commence drilling within 2026. Keywords:Foreign construction news network,Southeast Asia engineering information network,Overseas engineering construction,Foreign engineering construction news

Changes in the geopolitical landscape

China and Russia are highly concerned about Myanmar's natural gas resources. China plans to increase intake through cross-border pipelines, while Russia plans to build a liquefied natural gas base in Myanmar to create a Southeast Asian business hub. Affected by Western sanctions, European and American companies continue to withdraw, and the influence of China, Russia, and emerging entities in Myanmar's energy sector continues to rise.Editor/Gong Ziwei