Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Natural Gas Country Notes

Exploration of Malaysia's offshore waters has located numerous fields yielding natural gas or gas/condensates, mainly in the areas east of the peninsula and north of the Sarawak coast. Proved reserves (as quoted by Cedigaz) now stand at 2 480 bcm and rank as the fourth highest in Asia. Other published reserve assessments range from World Oil's 1 642 via Oil & Gas Journal at 2 124 to OPEC and BP at 2 480 bcm.

Malaysia became a major gas producer in 1983, when it commenced exporting LNG to Japan. This trade has continued ever since, supplemented in recent years by LNG sales to the Republic of Korea and Taiwan, China and by gas supplies via pipeline to Singapore. In 2005, spot sales of LNG were made to Spain and the USA.

Domestic consumption of gas has become significant in recent years, the major market being power generation. The other principal outlet for natural gas, apart from own use within the oil/gas industry, is as feedstock/fuel for industrial users. Small amounts of CNG are used in transport, reflecting an official programme to promote its use.