KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) says it will continue to collaborate with the Sarawak government to develop the state's oil and gas resources.
President and chief executive officer Tengku Tan Sri Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz said the group is interested in developing areas beyond the commercial settlement agreement executed on Dec 7, 2020, which also encompassed the surrounding exploration blocks.
He added that Petronas' involvement will persist to the extent that it includes representation from the state within its organisation.
"We are committed to Sarawak. We continue to fulfill our responsibilities under the Petroleum Development Act 1974.
"Our duty and obligation, as an institution, under the law, is to ensure we value every molecule, and we will do so," he said during Petronas' first half of 2023 (1H23) results briefing today.
Muhammad Taufik's statement is in response to a question regarding a recent statement by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari previously called on global energy and petrochemical company Shell to become a partner of Sarawak in developing its oil and gas resources, including carbon capture and storage.
Muhammad Taufik reiterated the group's dedication to the five discoveries beyond Sarawak.
He said Petronas continues to recognise the prolific nature of the reserves in Sarawak and reaffirm its commitment to collaborating with the state government in developing this area.