A detailed oil and gas exploration study in Sarawak is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, as authorities move to assess the commercial potential of newly identified energy resources, including natural gas and hydrogen.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the study, being carried out by Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), includes assessment work at sites where methane gas was recently detected in Kampung Datuk, Kuala Lawas.
He said the state has yet to receive a full report from the ongoing research. However, Petros has been authorised to conduct exploration activities as part of efforts to determine the scale and viability of potential reserves.
Awang Tengah said the findings could play a key role in shaping the development of the energy sector in northern Sarawak, particularly if sufficient reserves are confirmed to support commercial development.
He added that the discovery of methane in the area, if validated through scientific assessment, could serve as a catalyst for new economic activity and job creation for local communities.
The study is part of a broader state initiative to evaluate potential energy deposits across several locations, including Gedong, Dalat and Lawas, following earlier indications of possible gas and hydrogen resources.
Authorities have previously noted that while early findings suggest the presence of energy deposits, further scientific verification is required to determine the size of the reserves and their commercial viability.
The exploration effort follows reports of methane detection at a construction site along the North Coast Highway in Kampung Datuk earlier this year, prompting further technical assessment by relevant agencies.
