NREB Sarawak boosts capacity in O&G flaring oversight

KUCHING (April 4): The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak conducted a workshop on the understanding and review of Oil and Gas Development Plans (OGDP) and Flaring and Venting Management Plans (FVMP) at a hotel here recently.

The workshop brought together 20 NREB officers and aimed to enhance their technical knowledge and strengthen regulatory capacity in evaluating applications related to flaring and venting activities within the oil and gas (O&G) sector.

In a statement, NREB said Sarawak had taken significant steps to strengthen environmental governance, with the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023 providing the legal framework to control greenhouse gas emissions and regulate the release of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.

Under the Flaring and Venting Rules 2025, the board emphasised that no business entity or operator could flare or vent hydrocarbons without obtaining written consent from the Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak.

“This consent is conditional upon a rigorous review of the FVMP and where applicable, the OGDP,” the board said.

Training sessions were conducted by experts from Bureau Veritas (M) Sdn Bhd, who provided practical insights and industry perspectives on the assessments of OGDP and FVMP submissions.

“Through active knowledge exchange and constructive discussions, the workshop contributed to strengthening institutional capabilities and enhancing the effectiveness of regulatory review processes,” it added.