KOTA KINABALU, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- The construction of the petroleum storage and refining plant at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) is expected to begin this April, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the project, owned by Petroventure Energy Sdn Bhd, would be able to refine up to 150,000 barrels per day (BPD) and include a storage facility for three million cubic meters of crude oil and refined petroleum products.
With a land area of 161 hectares (400 acres) at SOGIP, the project is not only expected to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) worth over US$3.5 billion (RM15.5 billion) but also create nearly 5,000 job opportunities for the people of Sabah.
"Over 3,000 workers are expected to be needed during the construction of this project, and more than 1,000 permanent workers will be required when the plant is fully operational," he said during his speech at the launch ceremony for the construction of the plant at the Kota Kinabalu International Convention Centre today.
Hajiji added that the project would include the development of a jetty, oil refining facilities, a petroleum testing laboratory, and administrative buildings. He expressed confidence that various environmental studies conducted by Petroventure, such as the environmental impact assessment (EIA), will ensure that the project is developed sustainably, in line with the industry's needs and the environmental concerns emphasised by the state government.
The chief minister also noted that SOGIP has attracted significant investments, including high impact projects such as Esteel’s green steel plant with an investment phase valued at RM20 billion.
The most recent project, a hub for energy, oil, and gas worth RM8.88 billion, is a collaboration between Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC), which manages SOGIP, and Gibson Shipbrokers Ltd, which will establish Sabah as a key hub for the energy sector in Southeast Asia.
-- BERNAMA
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