Sarawak launches major offshore carbon capture project, eyes 3.3m tonne reduction

The Sarawak government in Malaysia has announced the launch of a carbon capture storage (CCS) project in the Kasawari fields, off the coast of Sarawak, through the state-owned Sarawak Petroleum Berhad (Petros). Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg stated that the project is expected to reduce up to 3.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, making it one of the world’s largest offshore CCS projects.

“This achievement firmly positions Sarawak as a global leader in this cutting-edge technology,” said Openg during the opening of the 5th edition of the International Energy Week, hosted by the state Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability. The project will demonstrate Sarawak’s capability in managing CCS through proper legislation, regulations, and world-class standards on par with international level CCS operations.

Openg emphasised the state government’s commitment to collaborating with international partners, sharing experiences, and learning from others. “We firmly believe that through collective action, we can achieve a greener, more sustainable future for everyone,” he said. The Sarawak government actively welcomes other nations to collaborate and develop new projects in partnership as it strives to combat climate change and forge a sustainable future.

The state also boasts vast potential for carbon storage, with an estimated nine billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide to store under the seabed of its continental shelf. “Our offshore depleted or abandoned petroleum fields offer an ideal location for secure and permanent storage of captured carbon dioxide,” Openg added. This presents a significant prospect for oil and gas companies and heavy industries to store their captured CO2 emissions and fulfil their obligations in reducing CO2 emissions.

The state government will also continue to improve the laws, policy, and regulations to ensure ease of doing business in Sarawak, further accelerating economic growth. The International Energy Week will feature speakers from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Abu Dhabi, and Malaysia, and will include roundtable sessions focusing on “Net Zero Carbon Future — Challenges and Opportunities”, “Sarawak Investment: Fuelling Sarawak’s Sustainable Future” and “Focus on Indonesia”.