Najib is seen officiating the installation of the propylene fractionator process column for the steam cracker facility at the PIC.
KUCHING: Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) is on track to start up in the first quarter of 2019.
This was among the highlights during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s visit to the complex yesterday for a progress review of the US$27-billion mega development.
The PIC forms part of Malaysia’s ambitious 22,000-acre Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) under the Government’s Economic Transformation Programme to establish new engines of growth and push the nation into a new frontier of technology and economic development in the oil and gas downstream sector.
The development is also one of Petronas’ key projects that would deliver future growth for the national oil company and at the same time, complements the southern Johor economic corridor.
The project consists of a 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery and a petrochemical complex designed to produce premium differentiated petrochemicals. It will meet domestic demand for petroleum products and Malaysian government’s future legislative requirements on the implementation Euro 5 specifications.
“The PIC is one of the largest industrial developments in the region as well as Petronas’ largest downstream investment to date. I am happy to report that the project is on track for overall start-up in the first quarter of 2019,” said Petronas president and group chief executive officer, Datuk Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, who accompanied Najib during the visit.
Currently, there are about 31,000 workers employed at the project site while at the peak of construction in 2017, it is expected to have a workforce of about 60,000 people with varying skills and disciplines. In its operational stage, the PIC will require over 3,000 employees.
Najib was able to witness the project development progress through aerial as well as ground tours of the complex. The Prime Minister also officiated the successful installation of a propylene fractionator process column for the steam cracker facility at the PIC.
The fractionator has been recognised as the tallest and heaviest process column in Malaysia by the Malaysia Book of Records. A certificate of recognition was presented to Zulkiflee yesterday at the site.
The development of the PIC also includes associated facilities such as the Pengerang Co-generation Plant (PCP), an LNG re-gasification terminal, a raw water supply project (PAMER), the Pengerang Deepwater Terminal, as well as Centralised and Shared Utilities and Facilities.
PAMER is already in operation and will supply 230 million litres per day (mld) of water to PIC, in addition to channelling 30 mld to the Sungai Lebam reservoir to supplement the Johore State’s existing water supply for public consumption. The PCP, slated for completion mid-2017, will provide a total of 600 megawatts (MW) of power to the national grid, while the remaining will be used for the complex.
The PIC is expected to spur further employment opportunities and spin-off businesses, as well as the growth of new townships and supporting industries in the area.
While Petronas pursues its commitment in the successful delivery of the PIC project, it also contributes to the development of the surrounding communities through the implementation of various Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programmes that directly impact their lives.