Curtin Malaysia to be key player in Sarawak’s oil and gas innovation hub

Miri – 22 April 2019 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) is set to be a key player in Sarawak’s oil and gas sector as a founding partner of the Sarawak Oil and Gas Innovation Centre (SOGIC) launched at the Sarawak Oil & Gas Seminar and Exhibition 2019 (SOGSE 2019) held in Miri recently.

The establishment of SOGIC was one of seven resolutions presented by the SOGSE delegates to Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg who officiated at the close of the two-day seminar.

The resolution calls for the establishment of SOGIC in Miri by Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd., DUBS Holdings Sdn. Bhd,, Suarah Petroleum Group and Curtin Malaysia to promote innovation initiatives that underpin the future development of Sarawak’s oil and gas industry.

In addition to the resolution for the establishment of SOGIC, the resolutions presented to the chief minister included support for the Sarawak government’s efforts to reaffirm its rights of ownership and control of Sarawak’s oil and gas resources via the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958, in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963, the Sarawak Constitution and Federal Constitution; to engage with the federal government towards having a mutually agreeable formula while working towards the resolutions on the legality issues so as not to disrupt the progress and development of Sarawak’s oil and gas industry; and to ensure a sustainable, secure and affordable development of Sarawak’s oil and gas resources through a comprehensive master plan covering the total oil and gas value chain for the benefit of future generations of Sarawakians.

Other resolutions called for the enhancement of Sarawak’s Mineral Management Authority to monitor, regulate and enforce Sarawak’s prevailing laws and formulate new laws and regulations relating to all oil and gas operations in Sarawak; the establishment of a Sarawak Petroleum Consultative Council to ensure maximum value creation, effective management and meaningful returns from all oil and gas activities; and establishment of local control baseline and policy to address the value of all oil and gas contracts given out in Sarawak, that they be allocated to genuine Sarawakian companies, to prioritise the employment of local human resources and use of Sarawakian oil and gas services and equipment vendors.

Abang Zohari witnessed the commencement of the collaborative framework for the establishment of SOGIC through the exchange of MoU documents between Serba Dinamik Holdings Berhad group managing director and CEO Datuk Ir. Mohd. Abdul Karim Abdullah, DUBS Holdings Sdn. Bhd. managing director Osaha Suhaili, Suarah Petroleum Group president Jamel Ibrahim and Curtin Malaysia pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive Professor Jim Mienczakowski.

In his address, the chief minister said the Sarawak government will not compromise on the state’s rights over its oil and gas resources and wants real participation in its oil and gas industry. He said it is for this reason that Sarawak must upscale its manpower skills in the industry.

“We must harness new technologies in the industry. We need experienced and knowledgeable people so that we can benefit from it,” he remarked in reference to SOGIC.

Following the seminar, Professor Mienczakowski commented that, as a Sarawak government-owned entity and the largest international campus of a global university here in Sarawak, Curtin Malaysia fully supports the state’s ambitions to advance its oil and gas industry and welcomes the opportunity to be a key player in the establishment of SOGIC.

Professor Mienczakowski added that as it is envisaged that SOGIC will be established at Curtin Malaysia, the innovation hub will be able to leverage on Curtin’s global footprint and global reputation, as well as its very strong petroleum engineering and applied geology programmes and expertise for industrial research and human capital development.

SOGSE 2019 was the first event of its kind organised by the Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS) in collaboration with Suarah Petroleum Group (SPG) and Malaysian Oil & Gas Services Council (MOSGSC), and supported by the Sarawak Government, Deckworks Events and Curtin Malaysia.

Nearly 300 delegates comprising top-level business leaders, senior executives and industry professionals, and representatives from government agencies and academia, gathered to gain and share insights on Sarawak’s oil and gas industry and the Sarawak government’s mission to enhance its participation in the development of the state’s oil and gas resources.

Abang Zohari (centre) with the founding partners of SOGIC (Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd, DUBS Holdings Sdn Bhd, Suarah Petroleum Group and Curtin University Malaysia).

Professor Mienczakowski (left) exchanging MoU document with Datuk Ir. Mohd. Abdul Karim Abdullah, witnessed by Abang Johari (centre) and other dignitaries.