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29/1/2008
MLNG CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST CARGO TO JAPAN
Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd (MLNG), a subsidiary of PETRONAS, today celebrates the 25th anniversary of its first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan, marking another important milestone in the history of Malaysia's LNG industry.
MLNG, which was incorporated in June 1978, delivered its maiden cargo to pioneer customers Tokyo Electric Power Company Inc. and Tokyo Gas Company Ltd on 29 January 1983, shortly after its plant in Bintulu, Sarawak started production.
The delivery marked the beginning of a long-term relationship between MLNG and the two Japanese customers. More importantly it formed the foundation for both PETRONAS and Malaysia to build a reputation as a stable and reliable LNG supplier.
From the first two customers, the list of buyers of Malaysia's LNG grew over the years to include other companies from Japan, Korea and Taiwan in tandem with the expansion of the country's LNG production capacity. Two other plants - MLNG Dua and MLNG Tiga -- were later built at the same site by PETRONAS and its partners that came on stream in 1995 and 2003 respectively. The three plants make up the PETRONAS LNG Complex, currently the world's largest integrated LNG facility at a single location with a combined production capacity of 23 million tonnes per year (mtpa). The Complex's capacity is being expanded further to have an additional capacity of 1.3 mtpa by 2009.
Since the first LNG shipment in 1983, more than 5,000 cargoes have been delivered from the Complex to the customers, safely and on schedule by another PETRONAS subsidiary MISC Bhd. MISC is currently the world's largest owner and operator of LNG tankers, providing PETRONAS with the capacity and flexibility to ensure a secure and reliable supply to its customers.
The first LNG shipment was also significant for the nation as it marked the successful realisation of an ambitious and far-sighted vision to monetise and to add value to the gas reserves offshore Malaysia. The development of the project has also generated substantial spin-off gains to Malaysia and Malaysians, including the transfer of skills and technology, the development of human capital and many other socio-economic benefits.
Today's ceremony to commemorate the anniversary was held at the PETRONAS LNG Complex in Bintulu and was attended by the Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot, Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Mr. Masahiko Horie, Resident of Bintulu Dr. Razali Abon and Chairman of MLNG Tan Sri Dato Sri Mohd Hassan Marican.
Issued by:
Media Relations Department PETRONAS 29 January 2008
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