People's Daily (Bangkok) - PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), announced the start-up of natural gas production from Rotan and Buluh deepwater fields of the Block H Production Sharing Contract ("PSC") off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia.

PTTEP confirms its largest-ever gas discovery offshore Malaysia. (Photo: Agencies)

The fields are located in depths beyond 1,100 meters. The project will increase the domestic energy supply and increase sales for PTTEP.

Phongsthorn Thavisin, PTTEP Chief Executive Officer, said PTTEP Sabah Oil Limited, a subsidiary of PTTEP, had completed the first phase of the Block H Project development and commenced natural gas production from the Rotan and Buluh fields for delivery to PETRONAS Floating Liquefied Natural Gas 2 (PFLNG2) facility on February 6, 2021. The project targets a production capacity at 270 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD).

“The achievement of first gas from Block H will increase the domestic LNG production capacity and strengthen PTTEP investment portfolio in Malaysia. This start-up also reflects a strong collaboration between PTTEP and joint venture partners together with PETRONAS in bringing together expertise and technologies to reach this milestone,” said PTTEP’s CEO.

The PSC is operated by PTTEP Sabah Oil Limited with 56 percent interest in the Rotan field and 42 percent interest in the remaining area. The joint venture partners are PETRONAS Carigali Sdn. Bhd. and PT Pertamina Malaysia Eksplorasi Produksi.

PTTEP through PTT Global LNG Company also holds a 10% equity in LNG Train 9 as part of the larger Malaysia LNG Complex in Bintulu.