KUCHING: Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) is collaborating with the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (Jogmec) for an onshore exploration project in the Mukah-Balingian region in central Sarawak.
Under a joint-study agreement inked last week, both parties hope to gain deeper knowledge into Sarawak’s subsurface resources, support responsible and long-term onshore oil and gas development, said state-owned Petros.
Established last February, Jogmec integrates the function of the former Japan National Oil Corp and the Metal Mining Agency of Japan, and focuses on oil, natural gas, metals, and mineral resources.
According to Petros, a vast area spanning about 124,000sq km in Sarawak is largely under-explored and this provides the company an opportunity to carry out the necessary data enrichment programme over the next five to 10 years.
The data enrichment programme for Sarawak kicked off with the reprocessing of all scale geophysical surveys since last April, starting with Block SK433 in the Miri-Marudi area, covering northern Marudi and including the Adong Kecil West discovery.
In 2021, Petros granted Petra Energy Bhd
the inaugural petroleum exploration and development contract for Block SK433.
A significant milestone was achieved by the project with the commencement of drilling activity in October 2023, and subsequent progression into the development and first production targetted by this year.
Importantly, Petros said its collaboration with Jogmec will develop local capabilities and empower Sarawak’s homegrown talent to take the lead in innovation and responsible exploration.
Simultaneously, Petros signed two other agreements.
One is with SC Tubular Solutions Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Superconducting Sensor Technology Corp (Sustec) for exploration, and the other with Woodside Energy, an Australian petroleum company, on carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects.
“Petros together with SC Tubular and Sustec will begin a proof-of-concept study using Sustec’s advanced technology to detect oil and gas at the Adong Kecil West field near Miri.
“This marks the first deployment of this type of advanced technology in Sarawak, reflecting Petros’ commitment to embracing innovation and technology that can enhance exploration accuracy, reduce uncertainty, and unlock greater potential from Sarawak’s resources,” said Petros.
Petros said the CCUS agreement with Woodside Energy established under the Sarawak Bid Round 2024 covers Site 3A in Central Luconia, off Sarawak.
It will see Woodside Energy assess the technical and commercial feasibility of safely storing carbon offshore in the ground. The collaboration supports Petros’ vision to position Sarawak as a regional hub for CCUS and advance a low-carbon industrial transition.
Petros chairman Tan Sri Hamid Bugo said the two strategic energy agreements and storage study agreement with international industry players marked another milestone for Petros in driving Sarawak’s energy future.
“Through these collaborations, we are strengthening partnership and embracing innovation to unlock new opportunities in exploration and low-carbon development,” he added.
