Sarawak Shell Berhad (SSB), a subsidiary of global energy giant Shell plc, announced the commencement of gas production at the Timi platform in Malaysia. Under the SK318 production sharing contract (PSC), Timi represents a groundbreaking endeavour, combining cutting-edge technology with sustainable energy solutions.
Shell said Timi, situated 252 kilometres northwest of Bintulu, Sarawak, and 202 kilometres northwest of Miri, Sarawak, is a sweet gas field that was discovered in 2018. What sets it apart is the pioneering technology that powers its operations. Timi is the first wellhead platform in Malaysia to be powered by a solar and wind hybrid power system.
The innovative design of the Timi platform has resulted in a substantial weight reduction, making it approximately 60% lighter than conventional tender-assisted drilling wellhead platforms that rely on fossil fuels for power. This significant reduction in weight not only minimises the environmental footprint but also enhances cost efficiency.
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Zoe Yujnovich, Shell’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, commented on the project’s significance, stating, “Timi demonstrates we are delivering more value with less 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.”
The Timi platform is engineered to produce up to 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day at peak. The extracted gas will be transported through an 80-kilometre pipeline to the F23 production hub. This strategic project is expected to bolster the future growth of the central Luconia area, off the coast of Sarawak.
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Timi is the latest addition to Shell Malaysia’s portfolio of innovative and environmentally conscious projects. Prior to Timi, the Gorek field became Malaysia’s first fully solar-powered wellhead platform, commencing gas production on May 24, 2020, 145 kilometres offshore. Furthermore, in 2022, Shell Malaysia approved the Rosmari-Marjoram gas project, the largest integrated offshore and onshore project in Sarawak. This project is set to be primarily powered by renewable energy sources, including 240 solar panels for the offshore platform and a connection to the Sarawak grid system, predominantly supplied by hydroelectric plants, for the onshore facility.