Oil and Gas Companies in Malaysia: Top Employers

Oil and gas companies in Malaysia explore, extract, refine, and distribute petroleum and natural gas. These firms operate across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. Malaysia produces around 660,000 barrels of liquids per day and ranks among the world’s top exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG). More than 3,500 enterprises, both domestic and international, participate in the country’s oil and gas value chain.

The oil and gas sector contributes about 6% of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP). It accounts for 16-20% of national exports and employs over 200,000 professionals. Major export facilities are located in Bintulu, Sarawak, which serves as the primary hub for LNG shipments to buyers across Asia and beyond.

Number of Oil and Gas Companies in Malaysia

The oil and gas industry in Malaysia includes a wide range of operators, service providers, and equipment manufacturers across the full value chain.

According to government estimates and industry data, over 3,500 companies operate in Malaysia’s oil and gas sector. This count covers exploration firms, production operators, drilling contractors, and equipment suppliers. The ecosystem includes multinational oil majors, the national petroleum corporation, and hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Many SMEs provide specialized drilling, engineering, logistics, and maintenance services. These smaller firms form the backbone of both offshore and onshore operations across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Leading Oil and Gas Company in Malaysia

PETRONAS stands as the dominant force in Malaysia’s oil and gas industry, with operations spanning exploration through retail distribution.

The leading oil and gas company in Malaysia is Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS). Established under the Petroleum Development Act 1974, PETRONAS holds exclusive ownership rights to all petroleum resources in Malaysia. It operates as a fully integrated energy corporation covering upstream exploration, midstream processing, downstream refining, marketing, and petrochemicals. PETRONAS maintains operations in more than 50 countries and has marketing offices in over 30 nations. The company also controls Malaysia’s LNG export complex in Bintulu, one of the largest in the world.

Top Oil and Gas Companies in Malaysia

Malaysia’s oil and gas sector features national champions, international majors, and independent operators across all segments of the value chain.

1. Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) - State-owned integrated oil and gas corporation dominating upstream and downstream sectors.
2. Shell Malaysia - Operates in upstream exploration, downstream refining, and fuel retailing across the country.
3. ExxonMobil Malaysia - Active in offshore exploration and production, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia.
4. Sapura Energy Berhad - Provides engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (EPCIC) and drilling services.
5. Dialog Group Berhad - Specializes in terminal infrastructure, tank storage, and oilfield services at Pengerang, Johor.
6. Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad - Malaysia’s first listed independent oil and gas exploration and production company.
7. Yinson Holdings Berhad - Operates floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels for deepwater oil production.
8. Velesto Energy Berhad - Provides offshore drilling services with a fleet of jack-up drilling rigs.
9. MISC Berhad - Global energy shipping company transporting LNG and petroleum, majority-owned by PETRONAS.
10. Bumi Armada Berhad - Provides FPSO systems and offshore support vessel services worldwide.
11. Hengyuan Refining Company Berhad - Operates a major petroleum refinery in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.
12. Deleum Berhad - Offers integrated oilfield services including power and rotating equipment maintenance.
13. Dayang Enterprise Holdings Berhad - Focuses on offshore platform maintenance, hook-up, and commissioning.
14. Perdana Petroleum Berhad - Provides marine transportation and support services for offshore operations.
15. Petra Energy Berhad - Delivers integrated brownfield maintenance and operations services.
16. BHP Petroleum (Malaysia) - Engaged in upstream oil and gas operations, especially offshore Sabah.
17. Murphy Oil Corporation - Involved in offshore exploration and production in Malaysian waters.
18. Wah Seong Corporation Berhad - Specializes in pipeline coating and engineering for the energy sector.
19. KNM Group Berhad - Manufactures process equipment for refineries and petrochemical plants.
20. Coastal Contracts Berhad - Supplies offshore marine vessels and related support services.

Oil and Gas Companies by Category

This table groups major players by their primary role in the industry, from national operators to specialized service firms.

Activities of Oil and Gas Companies in Malaysia

Oil and gas companies in Malaysia cover the full industry value chain, from finding reserves underground to selling finished fuel at retail stations.

In the upstream sector, companies carry out exploration and production. They use seismic surveys and advanced drilling technologies to locate and extract oil and gas from onshore and offshore fields. Major offshore fields like Gumusut-Kakap and Kikeh in Sabah contribute significant production volumes.

In the midstream sector, firms transport crude oil and natural gas through pipelines and shipping. Malaysia operates large-scale LNG plants in Bintulu, placing the country among the world’s top LNG exporters. Floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units sit above deepwater fields to process and store output.

In the downstream sector, refineries convert crude oil into petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemical feedstocks. Malaysia operates approximately eight refineries with combined capacity exceeding 635,000 barrels per day. Petrochemical plants further process raw materials into ethylene, polypropylene, and other products for domestic use and export.

Oilfield Services Within the Oil and Gas Sector

Oilfield services companies occupy a distinct segment within the broader oil and gas industry, supporting exploration and production firms with specialized expertise.

These companies do not own reserves or produce hydrocarbons directly. Instead, they provide the drilling, engineering, logistics, and maintenance services that make extraction possible. Their work includes well drilling, subsea installation, pipeline laying, platform fabrication, and equipment maintenance. Oilfield services firms depend on the overall health of the oil and gas market. When exploration and production activity rises, demand for their services grows accordingly.

Upstream Sector in Malaysia

The upstream segment covers all activities related to finding and extracting crude oil and natural gas from the ground or seabed.

Malaysia’s upstream output averages around 660,000 barrels of oil per day. Natural gas production runs at approximately 7 billion cubic feet per day. Offshore fields in Sabah and Sarawak contribute the largest share. Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), a division of PETRONAS, regulates upstream licensing and field development. Operators work under production sharing contracts (PSCs) that define revenue-sharing terms between the government and private companies.

Midstream and Downstream Sectors

The midstream sector handles transportation and processing, while the downstream sector refines and distributes finished petroleum products.

Malaysia maintains an extensive pipeline network managed by a national gas transport entity. The Bintulu LNG complex in Sarawak is one of the largest single-location LNG facilities globally. Downstream, the country’s refineries process crude into a range of products. The petrochemical industry converts basic feedstocks into ethylene, polypropylene, and other materials. Both domestic consumption and export markets absorb these products.

Regulatory Bodies Governing the Industry

Several government agencies oversee different aspects of oil and gas operations in Malaysia, from licensing to safety and environmental standards.

Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM) handles upstream licensing and resource management. The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) oversees workplace safety across all operations. The Department of Environment (DOE) regulates emissions, flaring, and marine protection standards. Most upstream operations function under production sharing contracts between PETRONAS and private or international operators.

Economic Impact of Oil and Gas in Malaysia

The oil and gas sector remains a major contributor to national income, employment, and export revenue in Malaysia.

The industry contributes roughly 6% of GDP. Oil and gas exports make up 16-20% of total national exports. The sector directly employs more than 200,000 people across upstream, midstream, downstream, and support services. Federal government revenue relies significantly on petroleum royalties, dividends from PETRONAS, and corporate taxes from the industry. States like Sarawak, Sabah, and Terengganu receive petroleum royalties that fund state-level development.

Challenges Facing the Industry

Malaysia’s oil and gas sector faces pressure from aging fields, price volatility, and the global shift toward cleaner energy sources.

Mature fields across Peninsular Malaysia and offshore Sabah are experiencing declining output. Operators invest in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods to extend field life. Global oil price swings directly affect investment decisions and project viability. Environmental regulations around emissions and gas flaring add operational costs. The worldwide energy transition toward renewables also pushes companies to diversify into solar, hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies.

Career Opportunities in Oil and Gas

The oil and gas industry offers career paths in engineering, geoscience, project management, and specialized technical trades.

Skilled workers in petroleum engineering, geology, and mechanical engineering remain in demand. Offshore roles include drilling engineers, production operators, and marine crew. Onshore positions cover refinery operations, pipeline management, and petrochemical processing. Candidates preparing for roles at PETRONAS or Shell can refer to the Petronas interview guide and Shell interview guide for company-specific preparation tips. For salary benchmarks across engineering disciplines, see the engineer salary guide. Platforms like Majikan.my list vacancies from upstream explorers to downstream retailers.

Frequently Asked Questions