Sunday 22 April 2012

Sapura eyes Kazakhstan O&G sector

Sapura Kencana Petroleum Bhd, the new entity formed post-merger of Kencana Petroleum Bhd and SapuraCrest Petroleum Bhd, is keen to establish a footprint in Kazakhstan's oil and gas industry.

Kencana Petroleum Bhd Group chief executive officer Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir said the company is planning to send a reconnaisance team to study what is needed to establish its business in that country.

"We are looking at the rejuvenation of marginal fields and old fields as well as infrastructure for offshore support study," he added.

He was speaking to reporters after the Kazakhstan-Malaysia Business Exhibition, held in conjunction with the two-day official state visit by the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Earlier, the President took time off to grace the business exhibition, which among others, showcased the products and services of some of Malaysia's leading companies.

It also helped facilitate business matchings between various companies from both countries.

Mokhzani said during the tour, the President visited Sapura Kencana's booth, and he was very keen to see it investing in the Central Asian country.

"We explained to him what the company does and he was very keen to see us investing in Kazakhstan. That is our priority.

"We will see what the country has to offer now and try to build on what is there.

"Of course Sapura Kencana has vast experience in all areas related to the oil and gas sector. So, we will focus fully, Sapura Kencana's strength in Kazakhstan," he added.

He said after the reconnaisance mission, the company will prepare a proposal and submit it to the relevant authorities in Malaysia and Kazakhstan.

With total assets of approximately RM11.85 billion, Sapura Kencana is one of the world's top five oil and gas service support players by asset base. -- Bernama