Shell MDS Malaysia celebrates 25 years in Bintulu

Commissioned in 1993, Shell MDS Malaysia is the world’s first, one-of-its kind GTL plant. Backed by 20 years of research, Shell pioneered the GTL plant’s technology that saw it convert liquefied natural gas (LNG) to ultra-pure liquid fuels, lubricants, chemicals and solid waxes.

The wax produced at Shell MDS Malaysia – SARAWAX, named in honour of the state it is produced in, is an important component utilised in various industries including the manufacturing of everyday products such as ink toners, candles, crayons, aviation and vehicle parts, food packaging and even cosmetics. Today, Shell MDS Malaysia boasts an output capacity of 500,000 tonnes of GTL Products per annum and exports its products to over 50 countries internationally.

“These achievements would not have been made possible without the strong support from the Sarawak State Government. The local government recognises the potential of the Shell MDS Malaysia plant and its socio-economic benefits and impact on growth, not just for Bintulu but for Sarawak as a whole. The opening of Shell MDS Malaysia plant helped to accelerate the development of the Bintulu district with increase in job opportunities for locals and potential development of the township in terms of facilities and infrastructure,” explains Datuk Iain Lo, Country Chairman of Shell Malaysia.

Currently, Shell MDS Malaysia employs over 400 staff, of which nearly 90 percent are Sarawakians. This development of local talent was achieved as part of Shell’s mission to support the community it operates in and to transform the plant’s initial workforce from predominantly expatriate reliant to locally driven.

In 2011, several members of Shell MDS Malaysia team in Bintulu were handpicked to be a part of one of the most complex and challenging energy projects ever commissioned – Shell’s Pearl GTL plant in Qatar. Using the Bintulu plant’s blueprint, this team of senior technical talent assisted in the design, commissioning and start-up of the new plant in Qatar. Currently, the Pearl GTL plant in Qatar is the world’s largest source of GTL products.

“Taking inspiration from what we achieved with our home-grown engineers at Pearl Qatar, we will continue to develop our local talents and give them exciting opportunities to showcase their skills. On that note, we are proud to announce the renewal of our talent development programme named Projek LINK (Latihan Industri Kimpalan), in conjunction with our 25th anniversary celebrations,” says Datuk Lo.

Projek LINK, which commenced in 2012 is an initiative aimed at helping students who face financial and academic challenges to upskill themselves. Currently, Projek LINK has produced close to 100 industry certified wielders who have made their mark in various companies in and outside of Malaysia.

Shell MDS Malaysia and Kolej Vokasional Bintulu signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to extend the Projek LINK programme. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.

“Currently we have identified a skill gap for trained scaffolders in Bintulu, and we hope to partner with Kolej Vokasional Bintulu and our current business partners to develop a training programme endorsed by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). We are optimistic that our efforts would not only help meet the needs of Shell but also support the development of employment opportunities and economic growth for local community here in Bintulu,” shares Omar Sheikh, the Managing Director of Shell MDS Malaysia.

To compliment the welding programme, Shell MDS Malaysia is actively exploring new training programmes to upskill the Bintulu community in ensuring higher employability. These programmes will contribute towards Bintulu’s aspiration of being an industrial town by 2025.

About Shell MDS Malaysia - www.shell.com.my/smds

Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Shell MDS) located in Bintulu was started up in 1993 and is the world’s first commercial GTL plant of its kind. It has the capacity to convert approximately three million cubic meters per day of natural gas into some 14,700 barrels per day of ultra-pure GTL products. Shell MDS produces a wide range of high quality waxes, specialty chemicals and transport fuels, which are marketed to over 50 countries across the world. GTL products are virtually free from sulphur and aromatics, and highly biodegradable.

About Shell – www.shell.com.my

Shell is a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology and is working to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, infrastructure, and by developing new energy sources while addressing the impact on the environment. Malaysia is one of Shell’s heartlands. The history of Royal Dutch Shell in Malaysia started more than 125 years ago. Shell currently has a strong market presence in the upstream and downstream sector in Malaysia.

For further Media Enquiries, please contact:

Prema Jayabalan
Media Relations Manager, Shell Malaysia
Email: prema.jayabalan@shell.com