MIRI: “Thank you for being Sarawak’s number one citizen — for creating jobs and revenue for the state,” said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In acknowledging the role of Sarawak Shell Berhad (SSB) in the local petroleum industry, he pointed out that the company is one of the major contributors to the state’s economy.
“Shell has given a lot to the state,” he said during SSB’s dinner gathering commemorating its first one-million-barrel oil production from its E6 last Tuesday night at a local hotel. The million-barrel figure was achieved last August 20.
“For over 100 years Shell has contributed a lot to Sarawak and I would like others (oil and gas companies) to do the same,” he said.
Abang Johari was impressed with Shell’s contribution to the social-economic growth and development of local talents through its joint venture with its partners.
“I encourage other corporate entities to follow Shell’s footsteps, to do more for our state’s development,” he said.
On SSB’s success in producing the one million barrels of oil, he noted that it reflected the company’s capability and prudence in running its projects.
The E6 project comprised the drilling of three 6,000-foot-long (almost two kilometres) horizontal wells using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques that maximised oil production.
“God is great. He gave Sarawak the resource (crude oil) for companies such as Shell to explore,” he said. “Oil and gas drilling is a crucial sector in Sarawak’s economy. Sarawakians must participate in the process.”
Also present at the dinner gathering were Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing cum Infrastructure and Ports Development Minister, Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Education, Science and Technological Research (MESTR) Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee, State Secretary Datuk Jaul Samion, State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala, Shell Malaysia chairman Datuk Iain Lo, Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat, DAP-Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon, and Brooke Dockyard and Engineering Works Corporation (BDEWC) chairman Datuk Abang Badul Karim Tun Datuk Abang Openg.
