Sabah's Gas Supply Expected To Nearly Double By 2030 - Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Sabah's gas supply is expected to almost double to 1,350 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) by 2030 compared to 700 mmscfd currently following the implementation of seven offshore development projects including four new gas fields.

The project, involving international and local oil companies, is part of the state's long-term plan to support the growth in energy demand and the industrial sector over the next four years.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the development was evident of the close cooperation between Petronas and the Sabah government in their continued efforts to develop the state's oil and gas resources.

“This strategy provides a clear implementation plan to secure the gas supply needed to support Sabah’s industrial aspirations,” he said after witnessing the submission of a report from SMJ Energy and Petronas to state secretary Datuk Zainudin Aman here today.

Hajiji said the report on the Long-Term Gas Supply and Delivery Plan 2025 and the East Coast Sabah Gas Development Plan outlined a gas supply delivery strategy based on a study by the Joint Task Force on the Sabah Gas Strategy, a result of collaboration between state agencies led by SMJ Energy and Petronas.

Based on the report, Hajiji said additional gas demand would be driven by new power plants and Petronas' third floating liquefied natural gas facility (PFLNG3).

“This includes new investments in the manufacturing sector along the west coast corridor starting from the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park through the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal in Kimanis to the Oil and Gas Industrial Park in Sipitang and the gas terminal in Labuan,” he added.

Hajiji said the Sabah East Coast Gas Development Plan confirmed that the Mutiara gas field cluster offshore Sandakan could be developed to supply gas to the new gas power plant in Sandakan's Sawit Kinabalu Industrial Park.

“It also allows the Sabah Electricity power station in Batu Sapi to be converted from diesel to gas-based turbines. For the first time, the east coast will be able to generate its own gas-based electricity supply without relying on supplies from the west coast,” he said.

Hajiji said the strategy also opens up opportunities for the development of gas-based industries in Sandakan and the east coast area as a whole.

He also expressed his appreciation to Petronas for leading the technical work in collaboration with SMJ Energy, Sabah Energy Corporation, the Sabah Energy Commission and the state Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport.

-- BERNAMA