Vantris’ RM1.1b rescue from MOF hinges on restructuring by March 2026

August 19, 2025

Dateline 2025-08-15, The Edge Malaysia:

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 15): Vantris Energy Bhd (KL:VANTNRG), formerly Sapura Energy, has signed a deal with a Ministry of Finance (MOF)-owned firm for an up to RM1.1 billion cash injection to pay its Malaysian vendors. The deal depends on Vantris’ restructuring plan taking effect by March 11, 2026, though the deadline can be extended upon agreement by both parties.

In a filing with the bourse, the debt-laden oil and gas company said it signed a redeemable convertible loan stocks (RCLS) subscription agreement with Malaysia Development Holding (MDH) on Friday. The deal was first announced in March this year.


Can CCUS save Malaysia’s oil and gas industry?

August 18, 2025

Dateline 2025-03-21, The Edge Malaysia:

KUALA LUMPUR (March 21): In the same month that the Malaysian government extended RM1.1 billion in support for ailing Sapura Energy (KL:SAPNRG), it also introduced the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Bill 2025. Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli emphasised the urgency of the bill, stating: “The tender for carbon storage is currently ongoing. If Malaysia cannot enforce this by March 31, we will be out — we cannot enter the bid.” However, it remains unclear what precisely Malaysia is bidding for.

Although Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib told Parliament that “drafting of the CCUS Bill was implemented based on a whole-of-nation approach”, clearly, parts of the nation were not on board. Environmental groups such as Klima Action Malaysia, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, RimbaWatch and Greenpeace all criticised the bill for lacking sufficient environmental safeguards. Also not part of the “whole-of-nation” are Sabah and the Deputy Minister’s home state of Sarawak, where the bill does not apply.


Anwar: LNG imports from US only if viable, no burden on Petronas

August 17, 2025

Dateline 2025-08-14, Malay Mail:

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — Petronas’ decision to import additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States (US) is subject to its capabilities and the country’s needs, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.

“I don’t think that this is a problem because we only import what we need and it is based on commercial terms which will not be a burden on Petronas and the nation,” he said.

He said this in response to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (MUDA-Muar) on the impact of a precondition set by the US, which requires Malaysia to import additional LNG worth US$3.4 billion annually — equivalent to 4.0 million metric tonnes per year.


Rystad Energy: Global recoverable oil reserves rise by five billion barrels in 2024

August 16, 2025

Dateline 2025-08-15, The Edge Malaysia:

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 15): The global amount of discovered, recoverable oil resources has increased by five billion barrels in 2024, even though 30 billion barrels were produced globally in the year, according to Rystad Energy’s latest research.

In a statement, the global independent research and energy intelligence company said this net increase was driven primarily by the delineation of upside potential in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta play and the Permian Delaware basin in Texas and New Mexico, the United States.

“Global recoverable oil resources, including estimates for undiscovered fields, stabilised at approximately 1.5 trillion barrels,” it said.


MIDF expects gradual recovery for Malaysia’s oil and gas sector, with stabilisation after mid-2025

August 15, 2025

Dateline 2025-07-15, The Edge Malaysia:

KUALA LUMPUR (July 15): Malaysia’s oil and gas sector is expected to recover gradually amid lingering external challenges and company-specific headwinds, said MIDF Research.

The research house expects sector stabilisation to take shape after the second quarter of 2025 (2QCY2025), underpinned by easing trade tensions and a de-escalation of geopolitical conflicts.

“Oil and gas prices will remain a determining factor in the local oil and gas players for the upcoming 2QCY2025 earnings season,” MIDF said, while maintaining a “neutral” stance on the sector.


Shoutout – IEM 2025-09 – Kuala Lumpur Engineering Forum 2025 (KLEF)

August 15, 2025

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Govt Orders Petronas To Act On Pipelines In Risk Areas After Recent Disaster

August 15, 2025

Dateline 2025-06-30, BusinessToday:

The Federal government has ordered Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB) to take immediate action in risk-prone areas with conditions similar to those that led to the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion in April. 

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Department’s (DOSH) Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Amat, discussions have been held with Petronas on the necessary actions to be taken following the tragedy, including both short- and long-term measures.


Oil and gas stocks remain in the shadows despite Middle East conflict-fuelled oil price rise

August 14, 2025

Dateline 2025-07-01, The Edge Malaysia:

ONCE the darling of stocks among investors, the Malaysian oil and gas (O&G) industry has yet to regain its position after more than a decade. This is despite Brent crude oil prices having been steady for more than two years, leading to many oil majors increasing their capital expenditure (capex).

More activities mean more revenue and profits. But that has yet to translate into meaningful share price movements, with many local O&G service providers trading at single-digit price-earnings ratios (PERs).


Japanese Oil and Gas Firm Enters Two Blocks off Malaysia

August 14, 2025

Dateline 2025-06-19, Offshore Engineer:

Idemitsu Kosan Co has acquired interests in two oil and gas blocks located off the coast of Sarawak in Malaysia from South Korean SK earthon, and signed production sharing contracts (PSC) for the developments.

The acquired interests are for the Block SK427, awarded under Malaysia Bid Round (MBR) 2021, and the Ketapu Cluster, awarded under MBR Plus Round I.

Idemitsu acquired 40% stake, and as a result, the company secured the right to explore, develop, and produce oil and natural gas in the blocks proportionate to its participating interests.

The PSC for the blocks was signed with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), a national oil company in Malaysia, Petroleum Sarawak Exploration and Production, a subsidiary of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), a state-owned oil and gas company in Sarawak PSEP,  and SK earthon.


Petronas to expand LNG exports despite rising domestic demand

August 13, 2025

Dateline 2025-08-13, The Edge Malaysia:

(Aug 12): Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is seeking to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to growing Asian markets, while also supporting Malaysia’s rising energy needs, which are partly driven by a data-centre boom.

The state-owned company’s diversified portfolio — which includes a newly operational export plant in Canada — will enable it to meet overseas demand for gas, said Adif Zulkifli, chief executive officer of Petronas’ gas and maritime business.

The firm plans to expand beyond its traditional markets — Japan, China and South Korea — to countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and the Philippines, he said in an interview.