By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 17: SatuBorneo Sdn Bhd (SBSB), a Sarawak-based offshore support and marine services provider, has inked a strategic partnership with Singapore-based and Malaysia-headquartered subsea specialist Cornerstone Offshore Pte Ltd (COS) to enhance offshore services in Sarawak waters by deploying Mini Remotely-Operated-Vehicle (mROV) technologies for subsea inspection and maintenance.
According to a media release today, the collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in advancing mROV adoption and innovation in East Malaysia, with a focus on improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of offshore asset management in Sarawak’s oil and gas sector.
The agreement between the two companies was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the Borneo International Energy Week (IEW 2025) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Tuesday (July 15), witnessed by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Under the partnership, SBSB and COS will combine their strengths to cater to the rising demand for agile, platform-based and small craft-based subsea inspection operations. This approach offers a modern alternative to conventional inspection methods as operators increasingly seek safer, faster, and more cost-efficient solutions to monitor and maintain offshore structures.
Cornerstone Offshore will contribute its advanced technical know-how, operational experience, and proven deployment strategies, backed by cutting-edge compact ROV and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems.
Meanwhile, SatuBorneo will leverage its established local footprint, regulatory knowledge, and operational infrastructure to execute mROV inspection programmes aligned with client requirements and local authority standards.
SatuBorneo managing director George Melati emphasised that this partnership with Cornerstone Offshore marks a new chapter for SBSB in delivering advanced inspection services to clients.
“We are confident this will enhance our service offerings while creating new opportunities for Sarawakian talent in the offshore sector,” he said.
Among the key benefits of mROV deployment through this partnership are rapid mobilisation, cost-effective deployment, improved operational safety, and high-resolution data acquisition, all of which are crucial factors in extending the operational life of offshore assets while lowering inspection costs.
The collaboration also aligns with Sarawak’s broader economic goals, particularly in strengthening local participation in high-technology subsea operations in line with Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), and Sarawak’s vendor development and localisation programmes.
It also aims at facilitating knowledge transfer and skill-building through joint operations, training, and technology demonstrations, as well as reducing dependency on large Dynamic Positioning (DP) vessels by using small craft and platform-based deployment models, optimising the use of large DP vessels for more complex maintenance tasks.
Cornerstone Offshore managing director Philip Sim stressed that this is not just a technology deployment, but a commitment to developing local capabilities and supporting the future of offshore operations in East Malaysia.
“We are proud to formalise this collaboration with SatuBorneo. Together, we will redefine how underwater inspection is performed in Sarawak’s offshore fields, making it smarter, faster, and more cost-efficient,” he said.
Both companies plan a phased rollout of services starting with pilot projects and technology demonstrations across selected offshore platforms this year. Insights gained from these initiatives will inform long-term service expansion and broader industry applications.
The SBSB-COS partnership reflects a shared commitment to delivering innovative, safe, and sustainable subsea solutions that align with Malaysia’s upstream energy aspirations while nurturing Sarawak’s local offshore capabilities. — DayakDaily
