Sarawak Shell Berhad (SSB), a subsidiary of Shell plc, has announced the commencement of gas production at Timi, the first platform powered by renewable energy in Malaysia.

Timi, a sweet gas field discovered in 2018, is designed to produce up to 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) of gas at peak production and will evacuate its gas through a new 80-kilometer (km) pipeline to the F23 production hub. The project supports future growth in the central Luconia area, off the coast of Sarawak.

Timi features Shell’s first wellhead platform in Malaysia that is powered by a solar and wind hybrid power system. This unmanned platform is also more cost-efficient, being around 60% lighter in weight than a conventional tender-assisted drilling wellhead platform that relies on oil and gas for power.

This project demonstrates Shell’s commitment to relying on renewable energy to deliver enhanced production while cutting emissions. “Bringing the project online is also an example of our focus on performance, discipline, and simplification. It shows our ability to innovate and deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable projects that support a balanced energy transition for Malaysia,” said Zoe Yujnovich, Shell’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director.

Under the SK318 production sharing contract (PSC), The project is a joint venture between SSB as the operator holding 75% equity, PETRONAS CarligaliSdnBhd holding 15% equity, and Brunei Energy Exploration holding 10% of equity.

In 2022, Shell Malaysia took a final investment decision on the Rosmari-Marjoram gas project, the largest integrated offshore and onshore project in Sarawak, which will be primarily powered by renewable energy. The offshore platform will use power from 240 solar panels, while the onshore plant is connected to the Sarawak grid system which is supplied mainly by hydroelectric plants.

In 2020, Shell Malaysia has achieved gas production in its first fully solar-powered wellhead platform, the Gorek field, located 145 km offshore Malaysia.