KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak has strengthened its regulatory capacity in evaluating oil and gas development activities through a specialised workshop held here yesterday (Apr 3).
The one-day workshop on understanding and reviewing Oil and Gas Development Plans (OGDP) and Flaring and Venting Management Plans (FVMP), held at a leading hotel here, brought together 20 NREB officers to enhance their technical knowledge, particularly in assessing applications related to flaring and venting activities.
Head of Policy and Planning Division Rahmah Biak stressed the importance of sound technical understanding in ensuring effective environmental oversight.
“Every consent we issue carries the weight of law and the trust of the people of Sarawak.
“A poorly informed approval can lead to years of excess emissions, while a well-informed review can prevent environmental harm before it happens,” she said in remarks delivered on behalf of the Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak Datuk Jack Liam.
Sarawak has in recent years strengthened its environmental governance, notably with the introduction of the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance, 2023, which provides a legal framework to control greenhouse gas emissions and regulate the release of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.
Under the Flaring and Venting Rules 2025, operators are required to obtain written consent from the Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak before carrying out any flaring or venting of hydrocarbons.
Approval is subject to a rigorous review of the FVMP and, where applicable, the OGDP.
The workshop featured training sessions conducted by experts from Bureau Veritas (M) Sdn Bhd, offering practical insights and industry perspectives on assessing both OGDP and FVMP.
NREB said the initiative would further strengthen institutional capabilities and improve the effectiveness of regulatory review processes, in line with Sarawak’s commitment to transparent and accountable environmental and carbon management.
