130 Years in Malaysia
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130 Years in Malaysia

12/11/2023
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From its early existence as a centuries-old major trading center between Europe and East Asia, Malaysia has undergone tremendous economic transformation, shifting from an agrarian and resourced-based economy to a modern nation based on manufactured goods. ExxonMobil is proud of the part it has played in this growth for over a century.

2023 marks 130 years of ExxonMobil’s business presence in Malaysia.

In this time, we have gone from selling kerosene for lighting lamps to building some of the country’s major oil and gas installations, and are moving forward towards developing potential carbon capture and storage projects for its energy transition.

Today, we remain a significant energy producer in Malaysia, contributing about 40 percent and 50 percent, respectively, to Peninsular Malaysia’s crude oil and natural gas production.

Capitalizing on the range of Malaysian talent and capabilities, ExxonMobil established a global business center and a technology center to provide IT infrastructure, applications and project management as well as technical and engineering expertise for ExxonMobil affiliates worldwide.

We’re also reinvesting into Malaysia to help build the nation’s talents, supporting programs to teach students science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills, and setting a strong foundation for the country’s future.

Read on to discover the story of ExxonMobil and Malaysia and their evolution and growth together over the last 130 years.

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130 Years in Malaysia

1893

Standard Oil begins operations in the Malay Peninsula with the sale of kerosene at the Butterworth docks.

1893

1921

First service station established in Kuala Lumpur.

1957

Federation of Malaya declares independence, Malaysia is formed in 1963.

1963

Esso Port Dickson Refinery comes onstream, one of the most ambitious industrial projects in Malaysian history.

1963

1965

Esso Exploration Malaysia Inc. is formed to conduct petroleum exploration activities in Malaysia.

1968

Signing of our first petroleum agreement with the Government of Malaysia, allowing us to explore off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

1969

Drilled first exploration well, Tapis No. 1 offshore Peninsular Malaysia.

1963

1974

Malaysia’s national oil company, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) created under the Petroleum Development Act.

1976

Signing of first Production Sharing Contracts with PETRONAS, enabling the country to become self-sufficient in petroleum products and become a net oil exporter for the first time in history.

1976

1978

Production of crude oil begins from Pulai and Tapis fields offshore Terengganu.

1978

1980

Esso Technical Training Center opens in Terengganu, developing young Malaysians for careers in offshore operations.

1980

1982

Participated in Peninsular Gas Utilization (PGU) Project, transmission pipeline network providing reliable access of natural gas to power sectors, petrochemical and other industries throughout Peninsular Malaysia.

1983

Terengganu Crude Oil Terminal begins operations, facilitating the development of more oil and gas fields offshore.

1983

1992

Started up Phase II gas operations from Jerneh, the largest gas field in the Malay basin, and commenced gas deliveries to West Coast and Singapore.

1992

1997

Commenced gas production from the Lawit field, our second major gas project in Malaysia under the Natural Gas Project and Sales Agreement with PETRONAS.

1997

2004

Inauguration of the Kuala Lumpur Global Business Center providing IT infrastructure, applications services and project management to ExxonMobil affiliates worldwide.

2006

Guntong Hub began operations, paving the way for new gas resource developments.

2006

2011

Established the Kuala Lumpur Technology Center to provide technical, engineering and application service for ExxonMobil affiliates worldwide.

2011

2014

Started up the Tapis Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) project, Malaysia’s first large-scale full field EOR program and one of the largest in South East Asia.

2014

2021

Signed MoU with PETRONAS to jointly explore carbon capture and storage (CCS) opportunities in selected locations offshore Peninsular Malaysia.

2021

2022

Advanced Recycling MoU established with PETRONAS Chemical Group. Signed two CCS Project Development Agreements with PETRONAS.

2022

2023

ExxonMobil marks 130 years of supporting Malaysia’s growth.

2023
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