The pioneers of Malaysia's exploration and production sector, Shell first set up operations in Sarawak in 1910 and laid the foundations for an industry that would later help to fuel the growth of the nation. A century later, and now operating as contractors to PETRONAS, we continue to extract and deliver petroleum efficiently, profitably and in environmentally friendly and socially responsible ways to meet evolving customer needs and the growing demand for energy.
As a responsible long-term partner in Malaysia's development, we work closely with our customers, our partners and the government to advance more efficient and sustainable use of energy and natural resources.
Our exploration and production operations celebrate its centenary in 2010.
Exploration and Production
Our upstream companies have interests in more than 10 production sharing contracts in offshore blocks in Sabah and Sarawak. We also supply gas to customers like the PETRONAS LNG Complex, the Shell gas to liquids plant in Bintulu, the Asean Bintulu Fertiliser Plant and the Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation.
Developing and implementing new technologies and integrating existing technologies help us maximise the recovery of oil and gas. These include deploying advanced seismic, integrated reservoir modelling, expandable tubulars for wells, managed pressure drilling, smart wells and seabed logging.
Our Real Time Operating Centre in Miri, Sarawak allows drilling engineers to analyse operational data online, complemented with 3D capabilities and to actively manage the drilling operations from all over the region. We continue to be a front-runner in the implementation of "Smart Fields" which allow fields to be operated remotely and interactively and will result in increased reserves and production from Malaysian fields. Shell expertise is being brought in to grow and evolve deepwater oil and gas fields in pursuit of a Malaysian deepwater centre of excellence.
Equally, technology will play a key part in our work to reduce and manage the carbon dioxide emissions related to energy production and use - sustainable development underpins our business.
Gas to Liquids
The Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis (SMDS) plant in Bintulu is the world’s first commercial Gas to Liquids (GTL) plant of its type, selling ultra clean GTL products to the world. Around 30 years ago, Shell began researching GTL technology. In 1993, this became a reality with the starting up of the Bintulu plant. We are now using the technology and experience gained from that plant to build a new plant in Qatar that is ten times bigger.
SMDS technology converts natural gas to long chain paraffins which are subsequently either hydrocracked to produce liquid fuels or fractionated to produce chemical feedstocks and waxes. The use of non-associated natural gas as feedstock and the high selectivity of the conversion process ensure a consistency of quality unmatched by equivalent products derived from crude oil.
Centenary year in 2010
We celebrate the 100th anniversary of our operations in Sarawak in 2010. Malaysia’s first oil well, Miri Well No. 1 was drilled on top of Canada Hill by Shell in 1910, marking the birth of the exploration and production industry in the country.
