KUALA LUMPUR, November 16 — PETRONAS, the Malaysian state-owned oil and gas company, has commenced a groundbreaking offshore multi-client 2D seismic survey in the northern region of the Straits of Melaka. This initiative is part of an exploration drive to map the hydrocarbon potential in the open blocks of PM320 and PM321 within the Langkasuka Basin. The survey, initiated in October 2023 and slated for completion in late December, spans over 38,000 square kilometers with the aim of acquiring approximately 8,000 kilometers of new 2D seismic data.
The data enrichment is expected to attract potential investors in upcoming bid rounds by providing a more extensive pool of seismic information and thereby increasing the likelihood of discovering hydrocarbon potential. Mohamed Firouz Asnan, PETRONAS Senior Vice President of Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), emphasized the company’s commitment to investing in data enrichment for Malaysian basins, citing the Langkasuka Basin as a focal point. This strategic move aligns with PETRONAS’s vision to support the country’s production growth strategy by attracting exploration interests.
Azmir Zamri, Senior General Manager of Resource Exploration MPM, highlighted the Langkasuka Basin’s untested deeper pre-Tertiary formation’s potential, leading to the seismic survey. The initial exploration probe is anticipated within the next three years to assess this promising geological play. PETRONAS, operating through MPM, serves as the custodian of Malaysia’s petroleum resources. MPM manages petroleum arrangements and oversees upstream exploration and production activities, underscoring PETRONAS’s commitment to the sustainable growth of the oil and gas industry in Malaysia.
