Hydrocarbon reserves of the South China Sea: Implications for regional energy security

Abstract

The countries such as China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei that border South China Sea region have immense stakes in exploring and exploiting the natural resources of the region including hydrocarbon. More than the hydrocarbon reserves, the South China Sea is home to World's high-networth trade route that brings the interests of non-geographic entities to this region. Further, the purported reserves of hydrocarbon in the region are in the orders of Persian Gulf but are not yet properly explored and the reserves recovered owing to territorial and non-claimant stakeholder's influences/interventions. This paper is a synopsis of information on the hydrocarbon reserves of the South China Sea region, and evaluates the territorial and extra-territorial interests in the light of energy security and equitable development and utilization of natural resources from a geological perspective. We also suggest several measures for future consideration and implementation.