Myanmar regime touts huge new gas discovery

Myanmar’s military government has announced the discovery of four offshore gas fields, claiming reserves of 109 trillion cubic feet (TCF) in the Ayeyarwady and Tanintharyi regions. Officials say the largest find, in the Tanintharyi deep‑sea zone, could hold 95 TCF, making it one of the biggest reserves globally.

The announcement appears to confirm earlier reports of a massive deposit in Block M15, near Kadan Island in the Andaman Sea. That block, covering more than 13,000 square kilometres, is operated by Singapore‑based Canadian Foresight Group (CFG) under a production‑sharing contract with the state‑run Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE). CFG has previously estimated the reserves at nearly $280 billion, equivalent to 40 per cent of Myanmar’s foreign currency earnings.

The regime insists the new projects will support the economy through electricity generation, fertiliser production and industry. Yet MOGE, its largest source of foreign currency, has been sanctioned by the EU and US for funding military operations accused of atrocities.

Neighbouring countries have taken different paths with their energy sectors. Thailand continues to rely heavily on gas imports from Myanmar, even after global majors such as TotalEnergies, Chevron and Petronas pulled out following the 2021 coup. Thai firm Gulf Petroleum Myanmar signed a new offshore contract in 2025 and expects commercial extraction by 2028. Vietnam, meanwhile, has pursued its own offshore gas development in the South China Sea, balancing foreign partnerships with state‑owned PetroVietnam while navigating territorial disputes.

Rights groups warn that Myanmar’s new ventures risk funnelling billions into the junta’s coffers. Justice For Myanmar has accused Thai partners of using offshore shell companies to channel payments to the regime.

Global energy giants have already abandoned Myanmar’s flagship Yadana project, citing security and human rights concerns. But with rare earths and now vast gas reserves, the junta is betting that resource wealth will secure its survival — even as the country remains mired in civil war and international isolation.

-2026-06-16