Survey: Oil and gas companies still most sought-after by Malaysian job-seekers

June 19, 2016

Yea, forward thinking fresh meat. Though there is only one oil & gas company in the Top 10. And IGL isn’t in the list, so this must be wrong.

Dateline 2016-05-30, NST:

Oil and gas companies remain the most highly sought-after employers in Malaysia.

According to the JobStreet.com Top 10 Companies 2016 survey, which drew the participation of over 7,900 respondents, oil and gas companies secured the two top spots for yet another year.

Coming in first for two years consecutively is Malaysia’s state oil firm, Petronas.

Second in line is Anglo-Dutch multinational, Shell and making it to the top three is tech heavyweight, Google.

Sime Darby and Maybank grabbed the fourth and fifth placing, respectively.

Completing the Top 10 list in order of ranking were AirAsia, Nestle, Intel, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Public Bank.


Sector urged to hire Sabah-based engineers

June 18, 2016

Oi, IEM, what about the retrenched Peninsular engineers?

Dateline 2016-05-26, Daily Express:

Ir. Warrence Chan Kok Peng of the Institution of Engineers (IEM) Sabah Chapter feels strongly about projects, professional work and employment for Sabah-based engineers.

At the last Sabah Oil & Gas Leadership event, he canvassed for local engineers to be given the chance to train with major oil and gas project contractors and consultants to prove their competency and mettle.

The State’s nascent five-year oil and gas industry did not accord them any opportunity when the industry was non-existent in the past.

At the 5th Sabah Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Chan appealed to the oil and gas industry players and project implementers to use Sabah-based engineers to comply with employment laws of the State and to avert social problems related with liaison or relationship with local womenfolk.


State encourages further participation in O&G industry

June 18, 2016

Dateline 2016-05-28, Borneo Post Online:

The State Government’s holistic approach in developing the oil and gas industry – placing emphasis on greater opportunities for Sarawakians companies and employment – is the way forward in furthering participation of Sarawakians and local companies in this sector.

Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Trade and Investment, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said this after a briefing by home-grown public-listed Dayang Enterprise Holding Bhd at its regional headquarters in Miri yesterday.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, said the fruits of successful negotiations with national oil corporation Petronas has led to the baseline RM2.1 billion contracts for the state, with room for annual increments.

The state oil and gas committee chaired by him was set up to advance state interests which will roll out the road map for the development and promotion of the industry.


Encyclopedia on nuclear science in Bahasa Malaysia to be published

June 17, 2016

Ah, for my next retraining course.

Dateline 2016-05-25, Sun Daily:

A Bahasa Malaysia encyclopedia on nuclear science is to be published to provide general information on the subject to the public.

Malaysian Nuclear Agency senior director (commercialisation and technology planning programme) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamed Hashim said work on the book is almost completed and will be published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

“It is being finalised.. 95% of it is ready,” he told reporters after opening a seminar on science writing and publication today.

 


Adjustments necessary: Shell

June 16, 2016

Dateline 2016-05-25, Daily Express:

The current tough oil price environment hit many oil and gas companies hard, including oil giant Shell Holdings Bhd, forcing them to find new balance in order to sustain its business in the State and elsewhere.

Sabah Shell Malaysia General Manager Ian Lim said due to the low price of Brent crude oil, the entire industry had had to make adjustments including deferring or stopping projects and restructuring to achieve lower costs.

“Indeed, like many, Shell is preparing for a lower for longer scenario. Here in Sabah, our challenges are, firstly, we are operating mature assets with increasing unit operating costs in an operating low oil price environment.

“Secondly, our deep water assets are prolific but they are also complex and have challenging operating environments due to the much deeper water depths,” he said during his keynote address at the 5th Sabah Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition here.

Nevertheless, Lim said, Shell is committed to staying in business for the long term in the State and this will require a new balance that focuses on growing its deep water business, being more competitive and efficient and nurturing local talents.

 


Marketing Rounds – Rantau

June 15, 2016

I found the cities of Banjarmasin and Batulicin, while looking for the palm oil mill.


Petronas: Nothing to Russian talks

June 14, 2016

More grist for the rumor mill. Yes, those Russian are lying. And yes, hold your PETRONAS stocks.

Dateline 2016-05-25, UPI:

Malaysian energy company Petronas said it was not the target of a sale of its assets or any of its stakes to counterparts in the Russian energy sector.

The Malaysian company referred to Russian reports suggesting it may dispose of some of its interests.

“We wish to clarify that Petronas has not been and is currently not in discussions with any Russian party for the abovementioned purpose,” the company said in a statement.

Last week, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said markets in the Asia-Pacific may see an increase in exports of natural resources from Russia. He said talks between Russian energy company Zarubezhneft and Petronas were part of that effort.

 


Saturday Star 2016-06-11– Job Opportunities

June 13, 2016

Ramadhan Kareem and Happy New Staff and Intern week.

Donate to your favorite charity (for this month, choose other than me), buy my recommendations, or through my Amazon store. Or get the Young Turks series (3 books until I can get YTP republished). Where are those corporate sponsors? Or throw donations at me, my camera dive case flooded, and I need a new replacement. Heck, if you want to send me a Canon 5D Mk III plus dive case, I will not say no.

  • A mate of mine is looking for a MD/EngMan type person to help run his engineering company (the main business is skid manufacturing). He can’t handle the work volume, so you know that his oil & gas company is bucking the trend, and has a bright future ahead. If I know you, send your CV’s to me. If I don’t know you, send your CV along anyway, but note I will contact your references. I am not getting a commission for this ad, you know.
  • I’m looking for fresh meat-ish, to help with a peak work period.
  • Nothing in the papers today.
  • I’m looking for jobs for 3Q2016. Send me your POs.

Support your local bookshop!  Bookalicious at The Summit Subang is a good choice. I think they focus on trilogies, quadrilogies, and other ologies. Tell them I sent you, and enjoy the look of perplexity on their faces. Those of you who have dropped my name, thanks!

Food choice of the week? Any weight loss diet.

Let’s get a bit nostalgic with the book selection.

Wetter, Louder, Stickier: A Baby Blues Collection (Baby Blues Scrapbook), BBXX: Baby Blues: Decades 1 & 2, Bedlam


Get set for competitive prices thanks to Gas Supply Bill 2016

June 12, 2016

Dateline 2016-05-23, NST:

Consumers in Malaysia are set to enjoy competitive pricing and efficient services in gas supply, thanks to the Gas Supply (Amendment) Bill 2016 passed by the Dewan Rakyat today.

The amendment is set to enhance competition with the participation of third parties in the gas supply industry by implementing Third Party Access (TPA).

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, in winding up debate on the bill, said the gas supply industry is currently monopolised by existing industry players such as Petronas Gas Bhd and Gas Malaysia Bhd.

“Currently, the only party which supplies gas through pipeline transmission is Petronas, the nation’s natural gas producer which sells gas to other parties such as Gas Malaysia Bhd.


UPDATE 1-Malaysia’s Petronas warns of further oil price impact as profit hit

June 11, 2016

Dateline 2016-05-18, Reuters:

Malaysia’s Petroliam Nasional Bhd warned that lower oil prices will continue to hurt its earnings on Wednesday after its first quarter profit fell by 60 percent.

The state-owned company has been hit hard by a tumble in oil prices that has forced it to slash costs and reduce dividends to the government. It detailed plans this year to cut spending by up to 50 billion ringgit ($12 billion) over the next four years.

“Concerns on moderate demand outlook and persistent oversupply will continue to pressure crude oil prices,” Petronas said. “Petronas expects performance to be affected by the volatility of oil prices and foreign exchange rate.”