SARAWAK’S latest gas processing facility, Sarawak Shell Bhd’s (SSB) multi billion dollar Rosmari-Marjoram’s onshore integrated sour gas evacuation system plant in Bintulu is expected to come online in 2026.

It can produce up to 800 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

Shell did not disclose the exact cost of the project but Premier Abang Johari Openg told the media that the cost is in the region of US$10 billion (RM47 billion).

The premier performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the plant today.

The plant, sited in Sarawak Economic Development Corporation’s petrochemical industrial park in Tanjung Kidurong, will be processing “sour gas” from the Rosmari-Marjoram gas fields – discovered in 2014 – some 220km off the coast of Bintulu.

Sour gas is a term used to describe natural gas that contains a significant concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas.

Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless, flammable gas with a distinctive rotten egg odour and it’s therefore called “sour” due to the presence of this sulphurous, unpleasant odour.

SSB, as the operator, holds 80% equity interest in the project with Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd holding the remaining 20%.

The processed gas is to be supplied to the Petronas liquefied natural gas plant nearby.

The gas plant marks SSB’s largest onshore project in Sarawak since the construction of Bintulu Crude Oil Terminal and Bintulu Integrated Facility in the late 1970s.

The Rosmari-Marjoram project comprises a deep-water subsea facility, a remotely operated offshore platform, and an onshore gas plant.

It also includes one of the longest sour wet gas offshore pipelines in the world stretching more than 200km.

In line with Sarawak’s sustainable and environmental goals, the fields will be primarily powered by renewable energy.

The offshore platform will utilise power from 240 solar panels, while the onshore plant will leverage on hydropower provided through Sarawak power grid system, which is supported by Renewable Energy Certificates.

Diesel generators and batteries will be used as backup.

Abang Johari in his address said the Sarawak government again emphasised that its economic development would never come at the expense of our environment.

He said its therefore heartening to learn about Shell’s partnership with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in biodiversity research and applauded Shell’s unwavering commitment to environment protection.

He added the growing demand for renewable power, exemplified by Shell’s Rosmari-Marjoram project, promises to catalyse growth within Sarawak’s renewable energy sector. – September 21, 2023.