PETRONAS PROGRESSES MALAYSIA’S UPSTREAM DEVELOPMENT WITH ESTUARY CLUSTER PSC AWARD AND MUTIARA CLUSTER SEISMIC DATA HANDOVER

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- PETRONAS, through Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), has marked two key milestones in advancing Malaysia's upstream sector with the award of the Estuary Cluster Production Sharing Contract (PSC) and the handover of seismic data for the Mutiara Cluster, supporting continued exploration and resource development efforts.

MPM recently awarded the Small Field Asset Production Sharing Contract (SFA PSC) for the Estuary Cluster to Harvester Energy (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Harvester), a wholly owned subsidiary of Harvester Energy Pty Ltd, based in Australia.

Comprising the Lerek, Korbu and Diwangsa fields, the Estuary Cluster is located within the Malay Basin, a proven hydrocarbon province offshore Peninsular Malaysia. The cluster is expected to unlock stranded marginal oil resources through a technology-led development concept centred on a novel shallow-water subsea development approach.

This approach is expected to accelerate first commercial production, reduce capital expenditure and minimise the physical footprint compared with conventional development concepts. It also supports the reuse and redeployment of production infrastructure, in line with PETRONAS’ intent to enable innovative, commercially viable and lower-impact solutions for Malaysia’s small field assets.

Senior Vice President of MPM, Datuk Ir. (Dr) Bacho Pilong said, “The award of the Estuary Cluster PSC reflects PETRONAS’ continued focus on unlocking Malaysia’s discovered resources through innovative and fit-for-purpose development solutions. By introducing technology-led approaches, we are opening new pathways to monetise small and stranded fields that may otherwise remain undeveloped.”

The award marks Harvester’s entry into Malaysia’s upstream sector and reinforces Malaysia’s position as an attractive destination for agile and technology-focused energy players seeking to participate in small field development opportunities.

The cluster was offered through Malaysia Bid Round Plus (MBR+), which complements the annual Malaysia Bid Round (MBR) by providing investors with year-round access to selected upstream opportunities, and technical data through PETRONAS myPROdata. Beyond creating new investment opportunities, MPM is also supporting the progression of existing discoveries towards development by reducing technical uncertainties and enabling more informed development decisions.

MPM has also recently handed over an enhanced 3D seismic dataset to DIALOG Resources Sdn Bhd (DIALOG) for the Mutiara Cluster, located off the east coast of Sabah, marking a significant step towards progressing the cluster’s development towards production and advancing discovered resources in the Sandakan Basin.

Datuk Ir. (Dr) Bacho said, “The delivery of this enhanced dataset marks an important milestone for the Sandakan Basin, representing MPM’s first acquisition of new 3D seismic data over an area with existing coverage. The improved subsurface imaging will enable DIALOG to better evaluate Mutiara Cluster’s resources and support East Sabah’s long-term energy security.”

The Mutiara Cluster comprises five discovered marginal oil and gas fields, namely Nymphe, Nymphe North, Kuda Terbang, Benrinnes and Mutiara Hitam. Awarded to DIALOG under an SFA PSC during MBR 2025, the cluster is targeting first production by 2029.

The development of the Mutiara Cluster is further supported by efforts to optimise project cost and accelerate the First Gas Date, as well as the sharing of information and technical proposals to advance the cluster’s development.

These efforts are complemented by the ongoing collaboration with Sabah state agencies to foster development synergy and stakeholder alignment in support of Sabah’s East Coast long-term energy growth.

Together, the Estuary Cluster PSC award and the Mutiara Cluster seismic data handover demonstrate PETRONAS’ broader approach to strengthening Malaysia’s upstream proposition by widening access to investment opportunities and enabling resources to progress towards production more efficiently.

Issued by:
Channels and Media Relations
Group Strategic Relations & Communications
PETRONAS

For photos, please access the files here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zTHdACJhE8VhXcDMNZgZfymQcmUVypYL?usp=drive_link

Photo captions:

MPM Pic-1.jpg: PETRONAS, through Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), recently awarded Small Field Asset Production Sharing Contract (SFA PSC) for the Estuary Cluster to Harvester Energy (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. Present at ceremony were (from left to right) Senior General Manager of Governance & Strategic Relations, MPM, Nurunnajwa Mohd Aras; Managing Director of Harvester Energy, Christopher Merrick; witnessed by Datuk Ir. Bacho Pilong, SVP of MPM.

MPM Pic-2.jpg: During the same event, MPM handed over enhanced 3D seismic dataset to DIALOG Resources Sdn Bhd (DIALOG) for the Mutiara Cluster. Present at ceremony were (from left to right) Senior General Manager of Resource Exploration, MPM, Azmir Zamri; Deputy Managing Director, Upstream of DIALOG, Saiful AzuanAbdul Aziz; witnessed by SVP of MPM Datuk Ir. Bacho Pilong, and Chief Executive Officer of DIALOG, Mustaffa Kamal Abu Bakar.
SOURCE: PETRONAS

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:​
Name: Hana Nazsulaeeqa Harun
Email: hananazsulaeeqa.haru@petronas.com

Name: Nabil Basaruddin
Email: nabil.basaruddin@petronas.com

--BERNAMA

BIDGELY TO SHOWCASE AI-DRIVEN SMART METER INSIGHTS AT ENLIT ASIA 2026

Bidgely will showcase how AI unlocks the true potential of smart meter data to help utilities drive enterprise-wide impact.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Bidgely will showcase its artificial intelligence (AI)-driven smart meter analytics at Enlit Asia 2026, demonstrating how utilities across Southeast Asia can use advanced data insights to improve customer experience, protect revenue and strengthen grid planning.


In a statement, Bidgely said the event will be held from Sept 22 to 24 in BSD City, Jakarta, bringing together utilities, regulators, technology providers and energy leaders from across the ASEAN region.


Bidgely Vice President for EMEA and APAC, Nipun Jain, said utilities across Southeast Asia have established a strong digital foundation through rapid advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) rollouts, with smart meters generating valuable operational data.


He said the company will demonstrate how AI and machine-learning analytics can turn interval data into outcomes such as reducing bill shock, addressing non-technical losses and building a more resilient grid.


At Enlit Asia, Bidgely will highlight solutions across three areas — value to consumer, revenue protection and advanced grid intelligence.


Its consumer-focused solutions provide personalised, appliance-level energy-use insights while equipping customer service representatives with data to resolve complex enquiries. For revenue protection, its AI algorithms analyse AMI data to identify anomalies and help utilities detect energy theft and reduce non-technical losses.


For grid intelligence, Bidgely will demonstrate how utilities can gain greater visibility into distribution assets, including transformer capacity and asset stress, as the adoption of distributed energy resources such as solar and electric vehicles increases.


Bidgely’s UtilityAI platform can be deployed as a fully managed software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution or within a utility’s preferred cloud and data environment, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Snowflake and Databricks.


The company will also participate in thought leadership sessions covering digitalisation and AI, ASEAN energy dialogue and grid modernisation, alongside three technical presentations on asset visibility, grid and feeder-level forecasting, and distributed intelligence for greater grid flexibility and resilience.


Through its participation at Enlit Asia 2026, Bidgely aims to demonstrate how utilities can move beyond using smart meter data primarily for billing and apply AI-powered analytics to support operational intelligence, customer engagement and the transition towards more resilient energy networks.


-- BERNAMA

EDGECONNEX JOINS SINGAPORE SUSTAINABLE DATA CENTRE TESTBED

 KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- EdgeConneX, a global provider of Build-to-Suit and Build-to-Density infrastructure solutions, has joined the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed Phase 2.0 (STDCT 2.0) Consortium as a top-tier anchor partner, strengthening its involvement in sustainable and efficient data centre innovation in Singapore.

The multi-year commitment includes funding for a shared infrastructure pool and direct contributions to selected projects, including EdgeConneX’s high-density data centre solution, Ingenuity. The collaboration will focus on next-generation, AI-ready data centre technologies suited to tropical operating conditions.

In a statement, EdgeConneX Senior Vice President of Engineering, Thorsten Ziegler said the company sees value in programmes such as STDCT 2.0 that bridge research and deployment by testing technologies in live operating environments and translating innovation into scalable solutions.

Hosted by the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) College of Design and Engineering, STDCT was launched in 2023 as the first data centre testbed in the tropics. Phase 2.0 focuses on technologies including advanced liquid cooling, heat-rejection systems, grid-responsive operations and artificial intelligence (AI)-native digital twins for ultra-high-density computing environments.

EdgeConneX will co-invest in and help shape the shared research infrastructure while participating in collaborative research and development, technology integration and field validation.

The testbed will include modular data centre environments, advanced cooling systems, high-resolution instrumentation and telemetry platforms, and an AI-native digital twin for system modelling, optimisation and predictive operations.

The STDCT 2.0 initiative brings together academia and industry to evaluate, validate, de-risk and accelerate sustainable data centre technologies for tropical environments, with the aim of supporting Singapore’s development as a hub for next-generation AI infrastructure.

-- BERNAMA

PETRONAS ADVANCES MALAYSIA’S UPSTREAM DATA PLATFORM WITH AGENTIC AI TO ACCELERATE E&P INVESTMENT

PETRONAS, through Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), signed an agreement with Iraya Energies Sdn Bhd (Iraya Energies) to enhance PETRONAS myPROdata and further strengthen Malaysia’s attractiveness as an upstream investment destination. Present at the signing ceremony were (from left to right) Chief Technology Officer of Iraya Energies, Francois Baillard; Chief Executive Officer of Iraya Energies, Nina Marie Hernandez; MPM’s Head of Technology & Digital, Ts. Shahril Ridzauddin Mokhtar; and MPM’s Head of Technology & Digital Programme, Arief Budiman Hermani.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- PETRONAS, through Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), recently signed an agreement with Iraya Energies Sdn Bhd (Iraya Energies) to enhance PETRONAS myPROdata with Agentic AI capabilities, providing investors and industry players with insight to Malaysia’s exploration and production data to support informed investment decisions and reinforce the country’s attractiveness as an upstream investment destination.

PETRONAS myPROdata is a web-based platform that provides access to essential subsurface and surface data related to exploration blocks, discovered resource opportunities and producing fields in Malaysia.

The enhanced platform will integrate geological, geophysical, engineering and other relevant data with Agentic AI capabilities that can autonomously analyse and connect multiple data sources, enabling users to navigate, analyse and derive insights from complex upstream data more efficiently.

It will also support comprehensive end-to-end evaluations, from identifying prospective areas and assessing resources to evaluating development opportunities and commercial viability.

MPM Senior Vice President, Datuk Ir. (Dr) Bacho Pilong, said, “The enhanced PETRONAS myPROdata with Agentic AI capabilities will help investors navigate and assess Malaysia’s upstream opportunities with greater speed and confidence.”

“By bringing together trusted data and AI-powered intelligence, we aim to enable faster and more informed investment decisions, contributing to PETRONAS’ ambition to attract approximately RM50 billion to RM60 billion in annual upstream investments while shortening the journey from discovery to first hydrocarbon from 100 months to 50 months.

“This will reinforce Malaysia’s position as a competitive and future-ready upstream investment destination,” he added.

Under the agreement, Iraya Energies will serve as the Consortium Lead Integrator, responsible for establishing the technical, commercial and security foundations required to deliver AI-powered insights and facilitate the broader programme rollout.

The initiative demonstrates PETRONAS’ role, through MPM, as the shaper, accelerator and regulator of Malaysia’s upstream industry by strengthening the investment ecosystem and supporting the continued growth and responsible development of the nation’s hydrocarbon resources.

Issued by

Channels and Media Relations
Group Strategic Relations & Communications
PETRONAS

SOURCE: PETRONAS

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
PETRONAS
Name: Hana Nazsulaeeqa Harun
Email: hananazsulaeeqa.haru@petronas.com

Name: Nabil Basaruddin
Email: nabil.basaruddin@petronas.com

--BERNAMA

AM BEST RETAINS STABLE OUTLOOK FOR TAIWAN NON-LIFE INSURANCE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has maintained a stable outlook on Taiwan’s non-life insurance segment amid the implementation of Taiwan Insurance Solvency (TIS), IFRS 17, and consistent premium expansion across retail and commercial lines.

Also underpinning the stable outlook are non-life insurers’ conservative asset allocation and moderate equity exposure, which should help protect their overall profitability in the event domestic stock market volatility impacts the segment’s investment results.

According to the Best’s Market Segment Report, “Market Segment Outlook: Taiwan Non-Life Insurance”, implementation of TIS and IFRS 17 enhances cross-market comparability and elevates the strategic importance of capital management and earnings volatility analysis.

In a statement, AM Best said TIS has had a limited impact on the segment’s overall capitalisation, although market-risk capital requirements have increased moderately.

Meanwhile, the transition to IFRS 17 has been favourable to the segment’s reported capital position, with industry-wide reported shareholders’ equity increasing by approximately 10 per cent at year-end 2025.

Taiwan’s non-life insurance market remains mature and competitive, with demand for commercial lines coverage growing, supported by investments in high-technology manufacturing plants, renewable energy projects, and major infrastructure development.

The credit rating agency added that Taiwan’s non-life insurers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to streamline underwriting, automate claims processing and detect fraud.

“AI adoption among Taiwan’s non-life insurers is likely to remain gradual and tightly controlled, with insurers prioritising internal operational and risk management tasks while maintaining continued oversight over customer-facing decisions,” said AM Best director of analytics, James Chan.

These changes should enhance operating efficiency, refine risk selection and help insurers better manage losses over time.

-- BERNAMA

UOB Heartbeat Run 2026 raises RM2.288 million to uplift underserved communities

Datuk Ng Wei Wei, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia presenting a mock cheque of funds raised by UOB Malaysia to the four beneficiaries.

Funds raised will support more than 6,000 children, youths and families across Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- UOB Malaysia recently raised RM2.288 million through its annual UOB Heartbeat Run 2026. The funds will support four key beneficiaries – SOLS Foundation, PINTAR Foundation, Food Aid Foundation and HOPE Worldwide Malaysia – and will also be channelled towards advancing the Bank’s corporate social responsibility initiatives across Malaysia with a focus on arts, children and education.

Datuk Ng Wei Wei, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia, said “Now in its 18th year in Malaysia, the UOB Heartbeat Run continues to show what is possible when people come together to make a difference. The generosity and commitment of our people, customers, and partners enable us to support programmes led by our beneficiary partners that address critical community needs, from improving food security to empowering youth with digital education and future-ready skills. As part of the wider UOB Heartbeat movement across ASEAN and beyond, we remain committed to creating meaningful and lasting impact in the communities we serve.”

In the two months leading up to the UOB Heartbeat Run, a series of charitable activities including food bazaars, charity sales, and fitness classes were held, contributing to the total funds raised. The programme culminated at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, where about 5,000 employees, customers and partners gathered to volunteer, fundraise and participate in the run event.

The funds raised will support beneficiary-led programmes that help build a more sustainable future through education and improve the quality of life of underserved communities across Malaysia. These include sponsoring 50 underprivileged youths to enrol in the Solar Academy vocational programme through SOLS Foundation, providing home solar systems to off-grid communities and installing solar panels at children’s welfare homes. The funds will also support HOPE Worldwide Malaysia, Food Aid Foundation, PINTAR Foundation and other charitable causes, channelled towards building an inclusive society and supporting the sustainable development of communities through digital education, food security and programmes that promote resilience and mental wellness. The programmes are expected to benefit approximately 6,000 underserved children, youths and their families across Malaysia.

The UOB Heartbeat Run forms part of UOB's broader efforts to create long-term social impact for the underserved. Beyond UOB Heartbeat, the Bank continues to invest in programmes that create long-term social impact, particularly in education and digital inclusion. Earlier this year, UOB launched UOB My Digital Space (MDS) in Malaysia. The programme empowers students to engage with technology confidently and responsibly by strengthening their critical thinking and digital literacy skills. As part of a regional initiative expected to reach more than 100,000 students across ASEAN, MDS has evolved into a multi-year programme in Malaysia, reinforcing national efforts to promote digital inclusion and prepare the next generation for the digital economy.

Appendix: 2026 UOB Heartbeat Run beneficiaries in Malaysia

Food Aid Foundation Funds raised will support vulnerable children from 30 orphanages across Malaysia by providing them with food and daily necessities, as well as digital literacy and emotional resilience programmes

HOPE Worldwide Malaysia Funds raised will support HOPE Worldwide Penang and KL centres with digital literacy programmes for 1,000 children from marginalised communities. Programmes include the STEAM & AI Education
Program, Therapeutic Arts Education Program and School Sponsorship Program.

SOLS Foundation Funds raised will sponsor underprivileged youths to enrol in the Solar Academy vocational programme through SOLS Foundation, as well as providing home solar systems to off-grid communities and install solar panels for children welfare homes.

PINTAR Foundation Funds raised will go towards conducting AI Awareness Workshops in 40 schools around Malaysia, reaching over 3,000 students to bridge the digital divide and build future-ready skills.


SOURCE: UOB Malaysia

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Yashwini Mohan
Brand, Media and Communications
Tel: 6012 223 7050
Email: yashwini.mohan@uob.com.my

Name: Nizam Arop
Brand, Media and Communications
Tel: 6017 333 6329
Email: nizam.arop@uob.com.my

--BERNAMA

Top destinations for corporate team-building trips

 

DUBLIN, Aug 28 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the "back-to-work" season approaches, companies are replacing virtual meetings with face-to-face retreats to address remote work fatigue and strengthen organizational culture.

To identify where teams can genuinely build connections, Holafly has launched the Global Team-Building Index, ranking destinations based on group activity infrastructure, accessibility, overall experience, and value.

The results identify Lisbon, Portugal as the world's leading destination, driven by its coastal activities, flight connectivity, and competitive costs.

The rise of the active corporate retreat
As hybrid and remote work become permanent, business travel is shifting toward experiential connections. Organizations are prioritizing places where employees can bond outdoors, whether that means sailing together or embarking on scavenger hunts.

The Iberian Peninsula takes the crown
Lisbon secured the number one spot: the airport sits close to the city center, while the river and coast provide a spectacular playground for sailing regattas and surfing challenges. Barcelona follows in second place with large hotel room blocks alongside high-end cultural experiences.

Eastern and Central Europe are budget-friendly champions
To maximize budget efficiency without sacrificing quality, Central Europe offers compelling alternatives. Prague and Budapest rank high, with costs for dining, accommodations, and venue up to 30% lower than Western Europe. Both offer memorable group activities like medieval castle banquets and old-town scavenger hunts.

Top 10 global destinations for team-building in 2026
1 - Lisbon, Portugal
2 - Barcelona, Spain
3 - Prague, Czech Republic
4 - Mallorca, Spain
5 - Budapest, Hungary
6 - Antalya, Turkey
7 - Athens, Greece
8 - Milan, Italy
9 - Chamonix, France
10 - Berlin, Germany

Where should Californians go for a team-building retreat?
The California Team-Building Index evaluated destinations within a 4-hour flight radius. Cabo San Lucas (Mexico) ranked first, offering direct flights, luxury resorts, and premium activities. It is followed by Denver (Colorado), which serves as an oasis for wellness retreats.

Top 10 Team-Building Destinations for Californians
1 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
2 - Denver, United States
3 - Mexico City, Mexico
4 - Portland, United States
5 - Vancouver, Canada
6 - Scottsdale, United States
7 - Austin, United States
8 - Jackson Hole, United States
9 - Guanajuato, Mexico
10 - Kauai, United States

Where should European companies go for their next offsite?
For British companies, Lisbon combines sunny coasts with rapid flight access. For German teams, Prague offers rail and air accessibility with budget efficiency. Spanish enterprises find their match in Lisbon, benefiting from proximity and local value.

Top 5 team-building destinations for UK companies
1 - Lisbon, Portugal
2 - Barcelona, Spain
3 - Mallorca, Spain
4 - Chamonix, France
5 - Prague, Czech Republic

Top 5 team-building destinations for German companies
1 - Prague, Czech Republic
2 - Lisbon, Portugal
3 - Barcelona, Spain
4 - Mallorca, Spain
5 - Budapest, Hungary

Top 5 team-building destinations for Spanish companies
1 - Lisbon, Portugal
2 - Prague, Czech Republic
3 - Budapest, Hungary
4 - Milan, Italy
5 - Antalya, Turkey

Media contact: press@holafly.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a87330a4-e6c3-4611-a953-322300a417ba 

SOURCE: Holafly