Petronas should establish a gas pipeline grid to all major towns throughout the state

KUCHING: Petronas should establish a gas pipeline grid to all major towns throughout the state to power its industrial hubs and increase quota of natural gas for Sarawak to attract foreign investors.

Dr Annuar Rapaee (BN-Nangka) said introducing a cheaper energy source would not only spur industrialisation in the state but also encourage the use of natural gas-powered vehicles and provide a cheaper alternative to petrol.

With Petronas laying about 1,700km of natural gas pipelines throughout the peninsula as well as subsidising the commodity to power up Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and independent power producers (IPPs), he believed Sarawak should not be denied such facilities, being the main natural gas producer in the country.

“Apart from the fighting for the increase in oil and gas royalty from five to 20 per cent, there is so much that we can ask for such as a natural gas pipeline grid to supply gas to all the towns throughout the state.

“Natural-gas powered vehicles are not only cheaper but also environmentally friendly and save cost on maintenance and services,” he told a press conference at the sideline of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Friday (Dec 11).
Dr Annuar was briefing reporters on his debate on the chief minister’s Budget speech.

“We also need the quota of natural gas to be increased to spur downstream industries and attract more foreign investors. While Petronas is refusing to provide the state with additional quota, we are finding it difficult to attract or retain our foreign investors. We hope Petronas would give natural gas not only for our own consumption but also for investment,” he added.

In addition, Dr Annuar hoped that a Sarawakian would be appointed to sit on the Petronas board of directors.
He explained that the highest Sarawakian position was at an executive level which he believed was not as proper.

“There should be somebody outside Petronas to sit on the board on behalf of the people of Sarawak. This so the person could voice out what is the need of Sarawak.”

In May, the state forwarded an official request to the Federal government to be allocated a special natural gas quota from what is being produced here.

Assistant Minister of Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion) Datuk Julaihi Narawi was reported saying that the natural gas quota would be used to meet the needs of power stations and downstream activities.

The state is hoping to receive a positive response from the Federal government on the request.

Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan was reported to have spoken in February on the need for the national oil corporation to increase the quota for competitively-priced natural gas feedstock as a catalyst to stimulate greater development for petrochemical industry in Sarawak.

He said this when officiating at the opening of Petronas Miri Registration and Licencing Office as well as seminar on ‘Business Opportunities in the Oil and Gas Industry’ld establish a gas pipeline grid to all major towns throughout the state to power its industrial hubs and increase quota of natural gas for Sarawak to attract foreign investors.<br />
<br />
Dr Annuar Rapaee (BN-Nangka) said introducing a cheaper energy source would not only spur industrialisation in the state but also encourage the use of natural gas-powered vehicles and provide a cheaper alternative to petrol.<br />
<br />
With Petronas laying about 1,700km of natural gas pipelines throughout the peninsula as well as subsidising the commodity to power up Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and independent power producers (IPPs), he believed Sarawak should not be denied such facilities, being the main natural gas producer in the country.<br />
<br />
“Apart from the fighting for the increase in oil and gas royalty from five to 20 per cent, there is so much that we can ask for such as a natural gas pipeline grid to supply gas to all the towns throughout the state.<br />
<br />
“Natural-gas powered vehicles are not only cheaper but also environmentally friendly and save cost on maintenance and services,” he told a press conference at the sideline of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Friday (Dec 11).<br />
Dr Annuar was briefing reporters on his debate on the chief minister’s Budget speech.<br />
<br />
“We also need the quota of natural gas to be increased to spur downstream industries and attract more foreign investors. While Petronas is refusing to provide the state with additional quota, we are finding it difficult to attract or retain our foreign investors. We hope Petronas would give natural gas not only for our own consumption but also for investment,” he added.<br />
<br />
In addition, Dr Annuar hoped that a Sarawakian would be appointed to sit on the Petronas board of directors.<br />
He explained that the highest Sarawakian position was at an executive level which he believed was not as proper.<br />
<br />
“There should be somebody outside Petronas to sit on the board on behalf of the people of Sarawak. This so the person could voice out what is the need of Sarawak.”<br />
<br />
In May, the state forwarded an official request to the Federal government to be allocated a special natural gas quota from what is being produced here.<br />
<br />
Assistant Minister of Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion) Datuk Julaihi Narawi was reported saying that the natural gas quota would be used to meet the needs of power stations and downstream activities.<br />
<br />
The state is hoping to receive a positive response from the Federal government on the request.<br />
<br />
Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan was reported to have spoken in February on the need for the national oil corporation to increase the quota for competitively-priced natural gas feedstock as a catalyst to stimulate greater development for petrochemical industry in Sarawak.<br />
<br />
He said this when officiating at the opening of Petronas Miri Registration and Licencing Office as well as seminar on ‘Business Opportunities in the Oil and Gas Industry’.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/12/12/petronas-should-should-build-natural-gas-grid-increase-quota-for-sarawak/">&nbsp;December 12, 2015, Saturday</a>

Share on Google Plus

About 2win