Petronas Gas rules out wider pipeline risks after Putra Heights incident

KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB) has ruled out the possibility of similar incidents occurring across its gas pipeline network following the recent breakage in Putra Heights.

The company is also seeking to be part of planning committees for projects located near its pipelines, as part of measures to enhance safety and reduce potential risks to its infrastructure.

Managing director and chief executive officer Abdul Aziz Othman said the company has conducted extensive inspections using its GeoPIG programme, a pipeline intelligent gauge system, across almost an entire 2,000-kilometre network.

“Our pipeline is 36 inches in diameter, so we run the GeoPIG section by section. This allows us to obtain the exact coordinates of the pipeline and compare them with the original as-built drawings to check for movement,” he said when met recently.

He said that inspections have been carried out across nearly all sections, except for Mambau-to-Meru stretch.

“On the line that broke, we could not run the GeoPIG because when there is a breakage, the tool cannot pass through,” he explained.

Abdul Aziz said the data showed no significant concern of ground movement along the pipeline, apart from some minor cases.

“The only area where we saw some movement of concern was in Rasah, Negri Sembilan, about one or two months ago. We went in and completed mitigation works, and as of today, that area has been fully addressed,” he said.

He added that other areas have shown no major issues.

SEEKING STRONGER REGULATORY ROLE

Abdul Aziz said PGB has obtained in-principle support from eight states to play a more direct role in reviewing projects near its pipeline rights-of-way.

“So what we have done to control this is working with the regulator. I have gotten agreement from Melaka, Selangor and six other states.

“For us to be in the planning committee, any development that is nearby to our pipeline, we will have a say. Whether we disagree or if we agree, then we would need to put a certain condition,” he said.

Abdul Aziz said such conditions include requiring assessments on whether projects will affect water flow, alter terrain or involve earthworks that could pose risks to pipeline stability.

Previously, developers only sought the company’s technical comments, which could be disregarded, he noted.

“The regulator for the pipeline system under the Gas Supply Act is the Ministry of Economy, and we are working closely with them on introducing new regulations that give us more authority to safeguard developments surrounding our pipelines,” he said.

Abdul Aziz added that PGB is also working with the ministry on amendments to the Gas Supply Act 1993 (Act 501), the Electricity Supply Act 1990, as well as measures to address encroachment near pipeline areas.

He said these initiatives were part of lessons learned from the recent incident in Putra Heights.

RELIEF AND RESTORATION EFFORTS

Following the incident, PGB mobilised immediate relief efforts, including opening a centre in collaboration with the state government to house affected residents and dispatching volunteers to hospitals.

The company has so far provided RM2.7 million in cash and medical support, and in June channelled RM25 million through the Finance Ministry and Local Government Development Ministry to support the restoration of damaged homes in the affected area.

“We continue to work closely with the Local Government and Housing Ministry to expedite repairs so that families can return to their homes and resume normal life as soon as possible,” Abdul Aziz said.

BUILDING COMMUNITY CONFIDENCE

PGB has also rolled out several community-focused initiatives, including a mental health consultation centre and awareness programmes to educate residents living near pipeline rights-of-way on safety measures and emergency response.

“These efforts are about ensuring coexistence between communities and our infrastructure, and reinforcing public confidence that the pipelines remain safe,” he added.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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