Malaysian state-owned oil and gas company Petroleum Sarawak (Petros) and Japan Organization for Metals & Energy Security (Jogmec) have signed a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) to collaborate on geological and geophysical surveys onshore Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Joint Study Agreement with Jogmec

The agreement establishes a framework for a three-year collaborative study focused on oil and gas exploration activities. The work will involve the acquisition of seismic data and other geological assessments in the Mukah-Balingian region, which is identified as having potential for oil and gas accumulations. Petros stated the collaboration will utilize local capabilities and manpower to lead its exploration efforts. Jogmec noted that this agreement marks a step forward for Sarawak’s energy sector and that it will encourage Japanese companies to participate in Malaysia's upstream oil and gas business, contributing to the industry's development.

Petros's Ongoing Exploration Activities

This new agreement follows recent exploration initiatives by Petros. Last year, the company began reprocessing 2D and 3D seismic data as part of a data enrichment programme for onshore Sarawak. This included de-risking activities in the SK 334 block near Limbang & Lawas and onshore geological work in northern Sarawak. The company has identified several regions, including Oya, Mukah, Balingian, Bintulu, Tatau, Miri, and Marudi, as part of its prospect de-risking and upgrading plan.

Carbon Capture and Storage Initiatives

In a separate development on the same day, Petros signed a Storage Study Agreement (SSA) with Australia’s Woodside Energy. This agreement aims to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of safely storing carbon sub-surface offshore at Site 3A in Central Luconia. Petros stated that this collaboration supports its vision to position Sarawak as a regional hub for Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) and to advance a low-carbon industrial transition. Furthermore, Petros recently launched the Sarawak Bid Round (SBR) 2024 for three carbon dioxide storage sites with a combined capacity of approximately 1 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Additional Strategic Energy Agreement

Petros also entered into a strategic energy agreement with SC Tubular Solutions Malaysia and Sustec. The trio will conduct a proof-of-concept study using Sustec's advanced Superconducting Quantum Interference Device — Transient Electromagnetic Method (Squid-Tem) technology to detect oil and gas signals at the Adong Kechil West field near Miri.

Strategic Vision and Context

Petros chairman stated that these three agreements collectively aim to support Sarawak’s long-term growth and prosperity. They are intended to strengthen the state's energy capabilities, accelerate innovation in exploration and low-carbon technologies, create new opportunities for local talent and businesses, and support the vision of Sarawak becoming a regional hub for efficient energy development. This flurry of activity occurs against a backdrop of reported ongoing negotiations between Petros and its national counterpart Petronas over the future aggregation of gas from Sarawak.

This material is an AI-assisted summary based on publicly available sources and may contain inaccuracies. For the original and full details, please refer to the source link. Based on materials by Ting Nan Wang,Amanda Battersby. All rights to the original text and images remain with their respective rights holders.