KUALA LUMPUR, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has commenced gas production at the Kasawari field in Block SK316, Sarawak, with an initial flow rate of 200 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d).

Block SK316, located approximately 200 kilometres off the coast of Sarawak, is operated by Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, which holds a 90 per cent participating interest.

Exploration and Production Malaysia Venture holds the remaining 10 per cent.

‘Discovered in 2011, the Kasawari field is a crucial feed source for the Petronas liquefied natural gas complex in Bintulu and is vital for meeting growing domestic gas demand.

‘The field contains approximately 10 trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources, with a gas sales rate of 545 MMscf/d,’ the national oil company said in a statement.

It said the Kasawari gas field development includes a central processing platform (CPP), a flare platform and a wellhead platform, all interconnected to the CPP via bridges.

Gas from the field is exported to a new riser pla
tform at the E11 production hub through an 81-kilometre carbon steel pipeline for delivery to customers in Bintulu.

Petronas also highlighted that the Kasawari platforms and bridges were fabricated locally by Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd in Pasir Gudang and Ocean Might Sdn Bhd in Kuching.

‘The CPP for the field is listed in the Malaysia Book of Records as the heaviest offshore structure, with a total weight of 53,893 tonnes,’ the group added.

Malaysia Petroleum Management senior vice president, Datuk Bacho Pilong, commented that the Kasawari project is a testament to local capabilities in executing large-scale projects.

‘This accomplishment, involving over 450 local subcontractors and vendors, was completed within 26.6 million man-hours.

‘This significant milestone was achieved with strong support from federal and state governments, alongside collaboration between our petroleum arrangement contractors and local service providers,’ he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency