Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s East Coast has significant potential for oil and gas development, with ongoing studies and exploration activities identifying several prospects, including the Mutiara Cluster, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said exploration was currently being carried out in the area, with oil and gas discoveries already made.
“There are currently studies being conducted on the East Coast and there are also oil and gas fields discovered there, namely the Mutiara Cluster and others,” he said.
Hajiji said the State’s oil and gas exploration would not be confined to offshore areas, as onshore exploration would also be undertaken.
“So, insya-Allah, it is not only there, but they will also explore onshore,” he said. On Friday, he witnessed the handover of the Sabah Long-Term Gas Supply and Delivery Plan 2025 and Sabah East Coast Gas Development Plan at Hilton Hotel, here.
The Chief Minister said Sabah had great potential to further develop its oil and gas industry based on the briefing he received.
“From the briefing I received, we have great potential to develop our oil and gas industry in Sabah in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister II cum Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who is also SMJ Energy (SMJE) Chairman, said the East Coast should not be viewed as having less oil and gas potential than the West Coast.
He said exploration activities on the East Coast had simply begun slightly later.
“It is not less, but exploration was carried out slightly later than on the West Coast,” he said.
