Asia-Pacific upstream: 2022 in review

Our Asia-Pacific review provides a comprehensive update on the key 2022 events in exploration, production, investment, M&A, fiscal and decarbonisation across the region. FIDs were disrupted by rising costs and a challenging investment environment, but nonetheless capital expenditure was up 6.5% year-on-year to US$70 billion. Exploration focused more on new bidding rounds than drilling, setting the stage for an exciting 2023 when winners are announced. M&A picked up in H2 after a quiet H1, with spend close to the pre-Covid level, driven by Australasia. And last - but certainly not least - profound regulatory changes in some key countries will alter the investment environment for years to come.