UTP signs agreement, strengthens collaboration with energy industry

SERI ISKANDAR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) recently signed an agreement for a research grant with TotalEnergies EP Malaysia (TotalEnergies) to collaborate in developing and implementing state-of-the-art optical fibre sensing technologies for subsurface fluids monitoring stored underground.

UTP, in a statement today, said the partnership aims to enhance the understanding and management of subsurface fluids, including carbon storage as well as oil and gas field systems, using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Imaging, fibre-optic seismic sensing technologies and predictive analytics and data visualisation using machine learning.

Signing the agreement on behalf of UTP was Vice Chancellor Prof Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib, while TotalEnergies was represented by its General Manager Xavier Faugeras.

The signing was witnessed by Petronas Senior Vice President of Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), Mohamed Firouz Asnan and PETRONAS Senior General Manager of Resource Exploration MPM Azmir Zamri.

Mohamed Ibrahim said UTP was excited to be working together with TotalEnergies, a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale on this research project.

“The partnership will bring together the expertise and resources of both parties focusing on the use of optical fibre sensing technologies, backed by data acquisition, subsurface visualisation, and image interpretation aided with cloud-based computing which will result in an effective solution for monitoring subsurface fluids.

“This collaboration is a testament of UTP's continuous effort in realising its aspiration to become a leader in technology education and a centre of excellence for creativity and innovation. It is also in support of Petronas’ energy transition initiatives to move towards Net Zero Carbon Emission (NZCE).

“As a leading university, UTP plays a vital role in exploring new technological innovation and invention to future-proof our institution. We aim to be the technology solutions provider for the industry through our expertise, experience and research facilities that meet the industry needs and standards,” he said.

Meanwhile, Faugeras said TotalEnergies is very pleased to partner with UTP on this research project on a promising subject of fibre optics monitoring.

“At a time where we need to solve the challenges of energy transition, it is a great opportunity to develop links with a prime academy in Malaysia,” Faugeras said.

On the day of the Feb 2 signing, there was also an engagement session and a tour of UTP campus for key delegates of Petroleum Arrangement Contractors (PAC) operating in Malaysia from ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., EnQuest Petroleum Production Malaysia Ltd., Hess Exploration and Production Malaysia B.V., Jadestone Energy (PM) Inc., Mubadala Energy, Petrofac (Malaysia-PM304) Limited, SK Earthon Co. Ltd and TotalEnergies EP Malaysia.

The session also involved POSCO International E&P Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Sea Hibiscus Sdn. Bhd., Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia Limited, Shell, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration (Malaysia) Limited, International Petroleum Corporation Malaysia B.V., PTT Exploration and Production, SapuraOMV Upstream (Sarawak) Inc. and ConocoPhillips Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA