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Afghanistan
(Last Updated: February 2006)
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Between the 1960s and mid-1980s, the Soviets had identified more than 15 oil and gas fields in northern Afghanistan. Northern Afghanistan has proved, probable and possible natural gas reserves of about 5 trillion cubic feet. Besides oil and natural gas, Afghanistan also is estimated to have 73 million tons of coal reserves.
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Bangladesh
(Last Updated: July 2006)
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Bangladesh is increasingly important to world energy markets because of its large potential natural gas reserves.
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Brunei
(Last Updated: April 2007)
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Brunei's economy is highly dependent on oil and natural gas production, although the country's hydrocarbon reserves have depleted considerably over the last three decades.
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China
(Last Updated: August 2006)
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The People's Republic of China (China) is the world's most populous country and the second largest energy consumer (after the United States). Production and consumption of coal, its dominant fuel, is the highest in the world. Rising oil demand and imports have made China a significant factor in world oil markets. China also surpassed Japan as the world's second-largest petroleum consumer in 2003.
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India
(Last Updated: January 2007)
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India boasts a growing economy, and is increasingly a significant consumer of oil and other energy resources.
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Indonesia
(Last Updated: January 2007)
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Indonesia is the only Southeast Asian member of OPEC, although the country became a slight net oil importer in 2004.
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Japan
(Last Updated: September 2008)
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Japan is the third largest oil consumer in the world behind the United States and China, and the second largest net importer of oil.
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Malaysia
(Last Updated: March 2007)
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Malaysia is a net exporter of oil and natural gas.
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North Korea
(Last Updated: February 2006)
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The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea) occupies a strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia. In 1994, North Korea signed an agreement (the "Agreed Framework") sponsored by the United States, Japan, and South Korea to halt its graphite technology nuclear program in exchange for two light water nuclear reactors. In early October 2002, North Korea disclosed to U.S. officials that it had violated the terms of the Agreed Framework by pursuing a nuclear weapons program, and that North Korea considered the agreement nullified.
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Pakistan
(Last Updated: December 2006)
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Opportunities exist for foreign direct investment in Pakistan's energy sector, though some foreign investors have encountered problems in recent years.
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Philippines
(Last Updated: August 2008)
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The Philippines is a significant world energy consumer despite decreasing oil consumption. The country remains a potential market for foreign energy firms.
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Singapore
(Last Updated: July 2006)
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Singapore is a major refining center for Southeast Asia, with refining capacity of nearly double its rate of petroleum products consumption. It is also strategically located near the Strait of Malacca, a major route for oil tankers.
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South Asia Overview
(Last Updated: March 2006)
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South Asia is important to world energy markets because it contains over 1.4 billion people -- more than one-fifth of the world's population -- and is experiencing rapid energy demand growth. South Asia is also a major and growing contributor to global emissions of carbon dioxide.
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South Korea
(Last Updated: June 2007)
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The Republic of Korea (South Korea) is important to world energy markets as the fifth largest oil importer, and the second largest importer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
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Taiwan
(Last Updated: August 2008)
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Located across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China (80 miles at the closest point), Taiwan is a leading economic and trading center, with one of the busiest ports in the world (Kaohsiung). As Taiwan lacks sufficient domestic energy sources, it is almost totally dependent on energy imports.
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Thailand
(Last Updated: April 2007)
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Thailand is a significant net oil importer. Energy consumption is growing rapidly as a result of strong economic growth.
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Vietnam
(Last Updated: July 2007)
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Vietnam is increasingly an important supplier of oil to regional markets and may emerge as a significant natural gas exporter in the future.
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