High time for Petros to start offshore E&P
KUCHING: Sarawak Petroleum Contractors Association (Speca) is hopeful that local skilled contractors will be given priority under the Sarawak First Policy.
“Speca has set up a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with an oil and gas (O&G) company based on a Principal-Agent relationship. We are eyeing scope of works in transportation and installation (T&I), hook up and commissioning (HUC) and top side maintenance (TSM),” said its president Datuk Abdul Rahman Lariwoo.
“Our members also have embarked on the Marine Spread and Supply of Jackup Rig. All these developments show Speca’s commitment to support the industry,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Abdul Rahman said that Speca believes that Sarawak needs to have its own supply base for the industry as it would not bring much benefit if it continues to use the one in Labuan.
In addition, he said Sarawak also needs a training institution by Petronas, citing examples of Institut Teknologi Petroleum Petronas in Terengganu and the Universiti Teknologi Petronas in Perak.
On a separate note, Abdul Rahman congratulated Petronas for its recent gas discovery in Block SK411 located in the shallow waters of Balingian Province, about 170 km northwest off the coast of Sarawak.
“If the field is in production, it will bring good revenue to the Sarawak government. We hope Petros will take a stake in the ventures, whether it is a Project Sharing Contract or a NonOperating Venture.
“The last two years have seen the findings of Jerun and Lang Lebah. Maybe it’s time for Petros to start on offshore exploration and production (E&P). With new technology, the chances of finding new reserve are great,” he said.