Sarawak’s own O&G company signs MoU during Abg Johari’s working visit to Oman
(From front right) Zuraimi, Hamid, Chin, Ting, Chopra and Lucich sign the MoU witnessed by Abang Johari (back centre). From back right are Morshidi, Awang Tengah, Shahril, and Abu Bakar.
MUSCAT, Oman: Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) – Sarawak’s wholly-owned oil and gas company – has signed its first deal.
The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday in conjunction with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s working visit here.
Petros signed the MoU with Petrotel Energy Oman LLC (PTO), which has exploration and production rights in Oman, and South Sea Energy (SSE), which is affiliated to Sarawak.
Abang Johari, who will spend five days visiting Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), witnessed the signing of the MoU, which will pave the way for collaborations in the oil and gas industry in Sarawak.
He also witnessed an MoU signing between PTO and SSE.
Petros chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hamid Bugo and board member Datu Zuraimi Sabki signed on behalf of Petros, whilst SSE president Lily Chin and executive director Tiong Kiong King represented SSE.
PTO chairman and chief executive Dr Anil Chopra as well as chief operating officer Mike Lucich signed on behalf of PTO.
PTO is a privately held exploration and production company that holds interests in companies operating oil and gas assets.
Currently, successful operations are being conducted in Oman in Block 17 (Musandam), Block 40 (Musandam Offshore), Blocks 39 and 67 (Dhofar).
“The Chief Minister and members of his delegation arrived at the Omani capital yesterday as part of the efforts to explore possibilities of cooperation to develop the downstream sector of oil and gas industries in Sarawak,” said a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.
Earlier, Abang Johari also led his delegation to pay a courtesy call on Omani Oil and Gas Minister Dr Mohammed Hamad Al Rumhi.
In his opening address, the Omani minister warmly welcomed the delegation and prospects of collaboration with Sarawak.
Abang Johari in his return address expressed confidence that Oman and Sarawak could work together for mutual benefit, given the bright future for petrochemicals and products leveraging on the trend of switching from internal combustion engines to electric cars in line with Industry 4.0 and digital economy initiatives.
“Oman and Sarawak have some similarities demographically and as oil producing states that would augur well for enhancing bilateral ties between the two economies,” he said.
Among those in the Sarawak delegation are Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohammad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Deputy State Secretary Datu Abu Bakar Marzuki, as well as Sarawak Energy CEO and Petros board member Sharbini Suhaili.
Also present during the visit was Malaysian Ambassador to Oman Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany.
The delegation will proceed to Dubai on the second leg of the visit before flying back to Kuching at the end of the week.