Offshore oil recovery will be the focus of a new regional alliance led by PETRONAS and several exploration and production operators from Southeast Asia. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PETRONAS Carigali, PTTEP, PMEP, and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) to evaluate Improved Oil Recovery (IOR/EOR) technologies in offshore fields.
The agreement was signed during the Offshore Technology Conference Asia (OTCA) 2026 held in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together PETRONAS, PETRONAS Carigali, UTP, PTTEP Sarawak Oil Limited, PTTEP Sabah Oil Limited, and PT Pertamina Malaysia Eksplorasi Produksi (PMEP).
The initiative seeks to increase recovery factors in mature fields, extend their productive life, and generate additional value from already developed resources in offshore areas.
Offshore Oil Recovery Focuses Regional Alliance
The alliance brings together the operational expertise of companies with a presence in various offshore oil assets, along with the research and development capabilities of one of Malaysia’s leading academic institutions.
Through this agreement, the organizations will work on specific enhanced oil recovery studies tailored to the characteristics of each reservoir. These efforts will include laboratory tests, technology validation, and the potential execution of pilot projects aimed at accelerating the application of advanced recovery solutions.
PETRONAS highlighted that the cooperation will combine geological knowledge, operational experience, and digital tools to identify opportunities that increase production in mature fields.
More Oil in Mature Fields
Enhanced oil recovery has become a strategic tool for operators seeking to maximize the utilization of existing reserves without relying exclusively on new discoveries.
In this context, IOR/EOR technologies allow for the extraction of additional hydrocarbon volumes through specialized techniques that improve production efficiency and optimize reservoir performance.
According to Datuk Ir. Bacho Pilong, Senior Vice President of Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), the collaboration aims to accelerate the development of solutions adapted to the specific needs of each asset and strengthen regional energy resilience through cross-border cooperation.
MDIC Reinforces PETRONAS’ Digital Strategy
Parallel to the agreement announcement, PETRONAS unveiled the Malaysia Digital Intelligence Centre (MDIC), a unified platform designed to connect MPM with petroleum arrangement contractors through a data-driven and AI-powered digital environment.
The platform integrates information, workflows, and management processes into a single system with the aim of improving transparency, streamlining approvals, and facilitating faster, more informed decision-making.
Likewise, the new digital center will allow operators to access consolidated and updated information to optimize project planning and the management of exploration and production operations.
Technological Innovation for the Regional Energy Future
The combination of enhanced oil recovery, applied research, and artificial intelligence reflects PETRONAS’ strategy to increase operational efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of the offshore industry in the region.
With this initiative, the Malaysian state-owned company and its partners seek to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, develop regional technical capabilities, and promote more efficient management of energy resources in Southeast Asian offshore basins.
Source and photo: PETRONAS
