BINTULU: Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) achieved a key milestone with the launch of piped natural gas to households in Sungai Plan, the first since the commencement of natural gas processing operations here in 1982.
The First Piped Gas to Sungai Plan project is PETROS’ first residential piped gas supply initiative here and marks a tangible step towards bringing Sarawak’s gas resources directly to its people.
According to PETROS, the pilot phase involves the construction of a dedicated reticulation system, which includes a newly built city gate station, over three kilometres of distribution pipeline, and internal piping for the initial 39 connected households.
PETROS aims to extend gas coverage to over 3,500 households in the Sungai Plan area, by the end of 2027.
“This infrastructure delivers natural gas directly to homes for cooking and other domestic uses, offering residents a cleaner, more convenient and cost-effective alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),” it said.
The event was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Wednesday (July 23).
“By providing direct access to natural gas, we are delivering cleaner and more affordable energy solutions to local communities while supporting Sarawak’s broader socio-economic ambitions,” it said.
In addition to improving convenience and affordability for households, the piped gas initiative supports the longer-term industrialisation of Bintulu and surrounding areas.
Under the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR), Petros said Bintulu has been designated as one of four strategic gas hubs alongside Miri, Samalaju and Kuching.
These hubs form part of a statewide “hub-and-spoke” model that aims to deliver consistent and reliable gas supply to both urban and hinterland areas across Sarawak.
PETROS said investments in supporting infrastructure are well underway.
In Bintulu, it is constructing the 65-kilometre Samalaju Pipeline (SPL) to supply natural gas to the Samalaju Industrial Park, including to the 1,500MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Plant currently under development.
“PETROS is also progressing works on the Gas to Bintulu (GtB) Trunkline Project, extending transmission gas pipeline from the Kidurong Industrial Area to Jepak and Samalaju Industrial Park Ringmain (SIPR), which will further enhance intra-zone gas distribution.
“For areas not yet connected to pipelines, PETROS is implementing a Virtual Pipeline System (VPS) using modular transport to deliver natural gas via road and sea. The first customer in Kuching is expected to receive supply via VPS by end-2025, with a broader rollout planned for 2026.
“As the sole gas aggregator for Sarawak, PETROS plays a central role in developing and managing the State’s gas distribution system.
“These efforts aim to raise Sarawak’s domestic gas utilisation from 6 per cent to at least 30 per cent by 2030, in alignment with the Sarawak government’s energy transition agenda,” it said.
The launch also coincides with Sarawak Day and precedes PETROS’ eighth anniversary, underscoring the State’s steady progress towards a more inclusive and resilient energy future.
