Petronas is moving ahead with the development of marginal oil and gas resources in Malaysia through two upstream initiatives involving the Estuary and Mutiara clusters.
Through Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), Petronas has awarded the Small Field Asset Production Sharing Contract (SFA PSC) for the Estuary Cluster to Harvester Energy (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, while enhanced 3D seismic data has been handed over to DIALOG Resources Sdn Bhd for the Mutiara Cluster.
The Estuary Cluster comprises the Lerek, Korbu and Diwangsa fields in the Malay Basin offshore Peninsular Malaysia. Its development will use a shallow-water subsea approach aimed at bringing stranded marginal oil resources into production while reducing capital requirements and the physical footprint of the development.
Senior Vice President of MPM Datuk Ir. (Dr) Bacho Pilong said, “The award of the Estuary Cluster PSC reflects Petronas’ continued focus on unlocking Malaysia’s discovered resources through innovative and fit-for-purpose development solutions. By introducing technology-led approaches, we are opening new pathways to monetise small and stranded fields that may otherwise remain undeveloped.”
The PSC was awarded through Malaysia Bid Round Plus (MBR+), which provides year-round access to selected upstream opportunities.
Meanwhile, the enhanced 3D seismic dataset handed over to DIALOG covers the Mutiara Cluster off the east coast of Sabah, providing improved subsurface imaging to support further evaluation of its resources.
The Mutiara Cluster consists of five discovered marginal oil and gas fields, namely Nymphe, Nymphe North, Kuda Terbang, Benrinnes and Mutiara Hitam. DIALOG was awarded the cluster under an SFA PSC during Malaysia Bid Round 2025, with first production targeted for 2029.
Bacho said, “The delivery of this enhanced dataset marks an important milestone for the Sandakan Basin, representing MPM’s first acquisition of new 3D seismic data over an area with existing coverage. The improved subsurface imaging will enable DIALOG to better evaluate Mutiara Cluster’s resources and support East Sabah’s long-term energy security.”
The two developments form part of efforts to reduce uncertainty around existing discoveries, optimise development costs and move marginal resources towards commercial production.
For the Mutiara Cluster, work is also being undertaken to accelerate the First Gas Date, alongside collaboration with Sabah state agencies on the cluster’s development and East Sabah’s longer-term energy needs.
