Petronas Plans To Maintain Capex At US$12 Billion

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- National oil company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) plans to maintain capital expenditure (capex) for its current financial year ending March 31, 2010, at US$12 billion, president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Hassan Marican said today.

Speaking to reporters after announcing the group's results for the financial year ended March 31, 2009, he said that 60 percent of the amount will be utilised for domestic operations and the remaining 40 percent for international operations.

For the financial year just ended, the group increased its capex to RM44.0 billion from RM37.6 billion.

During the year, the group reinvested 21.1 percent or RM21.9 billion of its profit before taxation, royalty and export duties.

The reinvestment was significantly lower compared to other major oil and gas companies.

However, Hassan said that Petronas sees 35 to 40 percent of its profit as a comfortable level for the reinvestment.

The reinvestment is necessary to ensure the group's sustainable operations and to generate future revenue and profit, he said.

On overseas expansion, Hassan said the group was looking to strengthen its presence in the countries that it was already operating.

As at March 31, 2009, Petronas is involved in various activities along the oil and gas value chain in more than 30 countries worldwide.

Asked about the speculation concerning his successor, Hassan said: "There are always speculations on my successor. I think that question needs to be addressed to the government."

He said that under his employment contract, his term will end in February next year.

-- BERNAMA