The bulk of Brunei's energy exports are committed under long-term supply arrangements with Japan. However, a key natural-gas supply contract with Tokyo Electric Power that has been in place since 1973 is due to expire in March 2013, and the parties are hoping to negotiate a new contract in the near future. The Japanese company imports 4m tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) a year from Brunei, but has indicated that its consumption of LNG is likely to fall in the years ahead.

As far as LNG is concerned, Brunei's room for manoeuvre in negotiations is limited by new supply expected from Australia and Papua New Guinea, and other Japanese importers, including Tokyo Gas and Osaka Gas, have begun to press for better deals in the future. Given global concern over energy supplies, Brunei is likely to continue to earn large sums by supplying oil and gas over the next 20 years, but may find itself exploring a wider range of export destinations for the fuel.