Getting Labuan folk ready for oil, gas boom

August 17, 2012

Dateline 2012-08-03:

Plants, pipes and complexes are not the only things that need to be prepared as the island gears itself to be a leading oil and gas hub in Asia.

The 80,000 people on the island too need to be ready for the ambitious plan to harness the lucrative industry that had seen investments pouring in over the years.

Opportunities are bound to come with the recent announcements of new oil field discoveries off Sabah, as well as major Petronas projects on the cards, amounting to RM45 billion (S$18.2 billion) in the years to come.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin recently visited the island and met with the business community to assert the government’s plan to turn it into a leading oil and gas hub.

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6 Comments | Malaysia, oil and gas | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Wata

Farewell, Esso

August 16, 2012

Yes, we have all seen the change of corporate branding along the North South Highway (and others) from Esso to Petron. But, for the less glamorous petrol stations, they still maintain the old corporate identity. Esso, we salute you. Now, if Shell would like to sell its downstream activities to … Carling?

3 Comments | investment, Malaysia | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
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Shout Out – Half-day Workshop on The SOURCE for Innovation

August 16, 2012

This is a shout out for the IEM. My Technical Division will be  hosting a half-day workshop on the 8th September, 2012. It’ll be at 5:30 pm  (makan-makan at 5:00). There is a lift at Wisma IEM.

Innovate or Die.

So it is said. But what is innovation and how do you innovate? What are the barriers to innovation and what are the key factors necessary to promote effective innovation? These are poignant questions which hold the key to unlocking our innovation capacity.

After nearly a decade experimenting with the different approaches to teaching the art and science of innovation, the speaker believes that the key to unlocking your innovation capacity lies in your mindset. This half-day workshop is designed with 3 objectives as follows.

Introduce participants to a definition of innovation as is commonly defined by most innovation practitioners;

Introduce participants to a framework for innovation based on Design Thinking and some of it underlying tools/ techniques; and

Review the underlying intent of design processes and how they are link to the source of innovation.

Dr Edwin Chung is the Deputy Dean (Innovation and Enterprise) for the School of Engineering at Taylor’s University and the Head for Taylor’s Technology Innovation Centre. He holds Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science; a Bachelor of Engineering with first class honours majoring in Electrical & Computer Systems Engineering and a PhD from Monash University (Clayton).

Register here or download the form here. A map to Wisma IEM is presented here.

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BEM: Seminar Proposed Amendments To The Registration Of Engineers Act 1967

August 15, 2012

I attended the BEM Seminar held in KL on the 12th July, 2012. Here are some photos from the seminar.

And here are links to the presentations. If you do download the files, how about a donation? Say USD3.50 per package?

7 Comments | engineering | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Wata

IEM Shout Out – Visit to MPOB Headquarters, Bandar Baru Bangi,

August 14, 2012

This is a shout out for the IEM. My technical division will be hosting a trip to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) at Bandar Baru Bangi, Kajang, on the 28th August, 2012. You will be anointed with 2.5 CPD / PDP hours.

The oil palm industry forms the economic backbone of Malaysia and continues to face new challenges in the face of globalization. Rapid responses are needed to meet the increasing challenges of the industry as they unfold. MPOB as the custodian of the oil palm industry is entrusted with meeting these challenges through excellence in R&D and services. MPOB has more than three decades of concerted effort in research and development along the entire value chain. Several technologies have made the transition from the laboratory to the market place. Ecologically and economically sustainable development has become the guiding philosophy of the oil palm industry and MPOB is playing a facilitating role in this endeavor. MPOB’s commitment has been recognized and rewarded through numerous awards, the latest of which is the 2010 Frost & Sullivan Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation. MPOB’s contributions are diverse, yet they serve a single goal, as expressed by its mission statement: “To enhance the well-being of the Malaysian oil palm industry through research, development and excellent services.”

Participants of this visit will also be briefed on MPOB’s latest development in addition to the pilot plant tours at MPOB’s premises.

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME

Time Programme

9.45 a.m. Gathering & registration at Bactris Hall

10.00 a.m. Briefing & Corporate Video

10.15 a.m. Discussion with research officers

10.35 a.m. Tour to margarine pilot plant

11.10 a.m. Tour to palm biodiesel pilot plant

11.45 a.m. Palm gallery

12.00 p.m. Refreshment & end of visit

Get the form here.  Flyers for the above and other events may be obtained here.

Leave a Comment » | Chemical, engineering | Tagged: | Permalink
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Saturday Star 2012-08-11 – Job Opportunities

August 13, 2012

To all readers, Ramadhan Mubarak (yes, I’m a few days late, not making up my own madhab). Be a bit more patient and tolerant to fellow beings, and start helping out those less fortunate then us. Invite me over for tarawikh prayers, iftar optional, wifi a must.

C’mon. Buy my recommendations, or through my Amazon store. I need the money to pay for my new camera. Where are those corporate sponsors? Or throw donations at me.

If you need my help to submit your CVs, donate to the blog, and I’ll review your CV to see if it is worthy of my (and my associates’) expectations. If you can’t figure out how to donate, no need to ask.

  • I’m looking for a senior process engineer, 7+ years experience. Send your cv here . Also looking for process safety persons, lead piping designer, lead instrument engineer, and other seniors you think will catch my eye.
  • Schlumberger is looking for a sales engineer – production engineer. Email your resume in before 15th September.
  • I see that QatarGas is looking for people.They are looking for a Senior Operator (Offshore). Apply here or snail mail to Uzma Engineering, No. 68 & 70 Fraser Business Park, Jalan Metro Pudu 2, Off Jln Yew, 55200 Kuala Lumpur.

May I suggest that readers try Bluestacks? Run your Android apps on your Windows tablet, so you can buy that Win8 tablet (and buy me one) without worrying you won’t have anything to play on it!

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!

As this is Ramadhan, the mind turns to the history of computer hacking. Yes, you go find the link between the two.

  

Microsoft Word 2010 In Depth, Microsoft Word 2010 Step by Step (Step By Step (Microsoft)), Microsoft Word 2010 Plain & Simple: Learn the simplest ways to get things done with Microsoft Word 2010!

This week’s food promotion is … any sponsored iftar I can find.

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Can Petronas sustain growth?

August 12, 2012

Dateline 2012-08-03:

Daniel Johnston, in his book International Petroleum Fiscal Systems and Production Sharing Contracts, noted that Malaysia has one of the toughest fiscal systems in Southeast Asia” after an extensive research covering 148 oil- and gas-producing nations and their respective petroleum taxation systems.

In simple language, he means that we have the toughest regulations to ensure we get the most from foreign oil and gas operators harvesting petroleum from Malaysian territories.

If this is the case, why are foreign operators like Shell and Exxon still able to find it profitable and attractive to come and develop oil in Malaysia?

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1 Comment | Malaysia, oil and gas | Tagged: | Permalink
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Gas Malaysia world class in efficiency, reliability: Maybank IB

August 11, 2012

Really?

Dateline 2012-07-31:

Gas Malaysia Bhd is “world class” in efficiency and reliability, on par if not better than its regional comparables, despite operating in a near monopolistic yet limiting environment, says Maybank IB Research.

Gas Malaysia which is the sole licenced operator and distributor of natural gas in Peninsular Malaysia to customers who consume five mmscfd (Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day) of natural gas and below, is operationally a price and volume taker.

The buying and selling prices of natural gas are currently determined by the government while the right to supple gas is governed by the Gas Supply Agreement with Petronas.

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Malaysia tanker toll rises as last body found

August 10, 2012

Old news, but a late reminder is better than no reminder.

Dateline 2012-07-30:

 Firefighters on Monday recovered the body of the last crewman missing after a Malaysian tanker exploded off Borneo island, bringing the death toll from the accident to five, police said.

The charred body of the Malaysian crewmen was found inside the chemical tanker, which exploded early Thursday while being loaded with methanol on the South China Sea island of Labuan, district police chief Saiman Casran said.

The bodies of four other crewmen, including a Philippine national, were recovered earlier near the MV Bunga Alpinia, which was engulfed and severely damaged by a huge inferno following a series of explosions.

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Labuan oil & gas industry operations must upgrade safety

August 9, 2012

Dateline 2012-07-28:

Operators of oil and gas industry in Labuan have been urged to upgrade safety as the sector requires high operating standards.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said high safety is important to realise the government plan to make Labuan a leading oil and gas hub in Asia.

“Safety is key as it can be the selling point in enhancing oil and gas industry in Malaysia. Corporations involved in this industry and agencies must ensure that safety standards are at international level,” he said after launching the ‘Bubur Lambuk 1Malaysia Amal Media 2012’ programme here Saturday.

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