KUCHING, May 13: Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) will take over the role of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) in all activities involving the buying and selling of natural gas in Sarawak.
Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the transition period will begin on July 1 until January 1, 2025.
“Petros will take over the role from Petronas not only as buy and seller of natural gas, but Petros will also be responsible for all activities related to the acquisition, supply, and distribution of natural gas produced in Sarawak,” he said.
Julaihi announced the matter during his ministry’s winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
He said Petros and Petronas had also agreed to sign a definitive agreement, with Petronas acknowleding Petros’ role as Sole Gas Aggregator under the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023.
“Therefore, starting from July 1, Petros as the Sole Gas Aggregator will buy natural gas produced in Sarawak from all upstream gas producers and sell the gas to all downstream gas buyers including liquiied natural gas (LNG) processing plants in Sarawak.
“This enables continuous supply of LNG by processing plants to fulfill their existing contracts with overseas LNG buyers such as in Japan and Korea,” he said.
Julaihi said in order to increase the utilisation of natural gas, Petros will undertake continuous efforts in line with the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR).
“Through the SGR initiative, natural gas utilization in Sarawak, currently at six percent, can be increased to 30 percent or more by 2030.
“This plan is expected to attract investment to Sarawak, generate high-value economic activity, and create more high-income job opportunities,” he added.-TVS
