THE Penang government has not initiated any discussions with Petronas regarding the hydrocarbon potential in the Langkasuka Basin.
State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu (PH-Perai) said Petronas is currently engaged in the data analysis process.
“The seismic survey, which started in October last year, is still ongoing, with data analysis expected to be completed by June this year.
“However, the survey has not concluded yet as Petronas is still in the process of analysing the data,” he said in response to Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubok) during the Question & Answer (Q&A) session at the State Legislative Assembly Session today.
Sundarajoo said the Penang Land and Mines Office is currently in the process of drafting the Mineral Regulations for the state.
“In preparing the regulations, the state Land and Mines Office will hold a series of engagement sessions with various departments, including the Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG), the Valuation and Property Services Department, the Department of the Director-General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) and other states that have established similar regulations.
On Nov 15 last year, Petronas initiated a new offshore multi-client 2D seismic survey in the northern area of the Straits of Melaka.
The survey aims to explore the hydrocarbon potential in the open blocks of PM320 and PM321 of the Langkasuka Basin.
In answering Lee’s supplementary question about forming a task force, Sundarajoo concurred with Lee, saying the state would prepare itself for the upcoming developments.
Story by Edmund Lee