Through Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), Petronas has officially launched the Malaysia Bid Round 2026 (MBR 2026) under the theme “Advantaged Energy: Accelerating and Shaping Tomorrow,” as part of efforts to reinforce Malaysia’s standing as a leading destination for upstream investment.

The 2026 bid round features nine exploration blocks across the country, offering a diverse portfolio of opportunities. These include a high-impact frontier block in the Sandakan Basin, promising acreage in the emerging West Sarawak Basin, and near-field exploration blocks in the mature Malay Basin supported by new play concepts. The offering is designed to attract investors seeking a mix of frontier and established basin prospects.

In addition, MBR 2026 includes six Discovered Resource Opportunities (DROs), providing “ready-to-develop” assets aimed at accelerating monetisation. These opportunities are supported by extensive technical data and phased development options, enabling early production and near-term value creation.

As part of efforts to strengthen the broader investment ecosystem, PETRONAS signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Global FCNG, Inc., ZDA Corporation Sdn. Bhd., and MTC Engineering Sdn. Bhd. The agreements are intended to expand collaboration and advance technology-driven solutions within Malaysia’s energy sector.

Collectively, the launch of MBR 2026 and the new partnership agreements highlight Malaysia’s continued push to balance energy security with transition readiness, underpinned by regulatory clarity, resource potential and collaborative industry engagement.