SIBU: Sarawak reached another significant milestone in its pursuit of greater control over its natural resources as state-owned oil and gas company Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) began its first oil production earlier this week.
Describing the achievement as a special Sarawak Day gift to the people, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that PETROS had commenced production of 800 barrels of oil per day at the Adong Kechil West (AKW) field near Marudi, equivalent to approximately 24,000 barrels a month.
He said the production marks Sarawak’s first onshore oil output in 50 years and places the state firmly on the path towards downstream development, particularly in ammonia and blue hydrogen.
“In conjunction with this auspicious Sarawak Day, I wish to announce as a gift to the people of Sarawak that our very own oil and gas company had begun its first oil production of 800 barrels per day at the Adong Kechil West field near Marudi earlier this week.
“With this new and historic production that is equivalent to 24,000 barrels per month, after 50 years since the last onshore production, Sarawak is on the right track to go downstream, particularly in the production of ammonia and blue hydrogen,” he said.
He said this during the Sarawak Day 2026 gathering at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang on Wednesday (July 22) night.
Abang Johari said the milestone demonstrated the capability of Sarawakians to develop and manage the state’s energy resources.
“This achievement speaks well of the engineering capability of Sarawakians, thus proving that Sarawak is well-equipped to be a strong player in the oil and gas industry, including derivatives from methane gas.
“This is a major achievement for Sarawak as we celebrate Sarawak Day this year. Now Sarawak is a major player in the oil and gas industry, developed by Sarawakians themselves,” he said.
Earlier in his address, the Premier said one of the biggest transformations undertaken by the state government was changing the way the state viewed its natural resources.
In the past, he said natural resources were exported in their raw form while value-added industries, employment opportunities and technology were developed elsewhere.
“Today, our approach is different. We want every resource owned by Sarawak to be processed, developed and given added value here so that this wealth creates more industries, high-skilled jobs and business opportunities for our people.
“This is the economic philosophy that forms the foundation of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s development policy,” he said.
