PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd and its petroleum arrangement contractors recorded 19 exploration discoveries and two exploration-appraisal successes in Sarawak basin, Northwest Sabah basin, and Malay Basin in Malaysia over the course of 2023. The discoveries, made from drilling 25 wells, contributed more than 1 billion boe of new resources.
More than half of the discoveries were made in Sarawak basin, primarily in two clusters within the Balingian and West Luconia geological provinces. Among the discoveries are Gedombak-1, Sinsing-1, Machinchang-1, and Mirdanga-1 by PETRONAS, along with Babadon-1 and Chenda-1 by Thailand’s PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP).
Three discoveries were made in Northwest Sabah basin—which include Layang-Layang-1 by PETRONAS and Hikmat-1 and Dermawan-1 by PTTEP—proved a working petroleum system that provides new opportunities in the ultra-deepwater and deepwater areas. Another drilling campaign is ongoing within the same proven basin in the shallow waters off the coast of Sabah.
Two other discoveries were made within Malay basin. Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia found gas in the Bunga Lavatera-1 well near the PM3 hub, and brought it onstream with a flowrate of about 50 MMscfd. PTTEP found oil and gas in Simpoh Beludu-1, having penetrated the hydrocarbon-filled reservoir in the deeper Group K sands.
PETRONAS, through the Malaysia Petroleum Management, grants petroleum licenses, manages petroleum arrangements, and provides stewardship on upstream petroleum activities in Malaysia.
