Dear Stakeholders,
PETRONAS’ financial strategy is built on striking the right balance in reinforcing financial resilience
while driving growth, securing Malaysia’s energy needs while advancing sustainability, and optimising
performance while ensuring commercial viability. Rather than pursuing short-term gains, we ensure
that every investment is value-accretive for us to continue moving forward, especially as the world is
evolving at an accelerated pace.
Global economic instability in 2024 presented challenges across industries, and the energy sector was no exception. Sluggish economic activity, particularly in China and Europe, coupled with uncertainties over oil demand and global recovery, contributed to market volatility. Oil prices remained under pressure due to fears of a recession in the United States and easing supply concerns. At the same time, the call for energy transition remained strong and continued to compound the industry's complexity.
In navigating this complex landscape, PETRONAS remained guided by its core financial principles of strategic agility, sound risk management and value-driven decision-making. We have always applied rigour to our financial management, ensuring that every decision supports both our resilience and long-term growth. This means balancing three critical priorities: sustaining our Core Business, scaling up new growth opportunities under New Business and responsibly managing our emissions reduction journey under our Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 Pathway. These priorities underpin PETRONAS' long-term vision allowing us to continue delivering secure, affordable and responsible energy for Malaysia and our global customers.
Financial Performance
In 2024, PETRONAS recorded revenue of RM320.0 billion, lower than the previous year by 7 per cent due to softer average realised prices, particularly in LNG. Nevertheless, increased sales volume provided a cushion against the decline. Revenue was also impacted by the divestment of Engen Limited and its subsidiaries (Engen Group), a South African-based downstream petroleum company in which PETRONAS had held a majority stake since 1998. Following the completion of the divestment in May 2024, only five months of Engen Group's financial results were included in PETRONAS' revenue for the year.
Profit After Tax stood at RM55.1 billion, reflecting the impact of lower prices and the absence of favourable tax adjustments recorded in 2023, which were mainly related to the recognition of deferred tax assets. The realisation of foreign currency translation reserves from the Engen Group divestment also contributed to the lower Profit After Tax. The Group's Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation was RM114.1 billion, in line with the decline in profits.
Despite these market headwinds, PETRONAS maintained a strong financial position, ending the year with total assets of RM766.7 billion, slightly lower by 1 per cent than 2023. Shareholders' equity increased to RM451.2 billion, mainly due to profit recorded during the year. Cash Flows from Operations remained robust at RM102.5 billion, providing sufficient liquidity to support business operations, capital expenditure, growth commitments, debt obligations and dividend payments to shareholders.
Revenue
- 2024: RM320.0 billion
- 2023: RM343.6 billion
Profit After Tax
- 2024: RM55.1 billion
- 2023: RM80.7 billion
Total Assets
- 2024: RM766.7 billion
- 2023: RM773.3 billion
Capital Allocation and Investment Strategy
PETRONAS applies a sharp and disciplined approach to its capital allocation framework to ensure financial strength while delivering shareholder value and funding future growth. Every investment decision is based on a careful balance between strengthening our Core Business, expanding into new opportunities and advancing emissions reduction efforts, with all three receiving equal focus to secure PETRONAS' resilience and long-term viability.
Our approach is not about pursuing short-term gains at the expense of long-term resilience but ensuring that every investment is value-accretive and aligned with our financial parameters to maintain a strong balance sheet.
In 2024, our capital expenditure stood at RM54.2 billion, primarily directed towards Upstream and Gas projects. More than 60 per cent of capital expenditure in 2024 was invested in Malaysian projects, a 27 per cent increase from the previous year, reinforcing PETRONAS' role in supporting Malaysia's Oil and Gas Services and Equipment ecosystem to strengthen energy supply and build future capabilities. Key projects included the PETRONAS Shore-based Floating LNG project in Sabah, which expanded LNG production capacity; and the Integrated Bekok Oil project in Peninsular Malaysia, which sustained upstream production.
Effective liquidity management underpins our capital allocation strategy, providing funding flexibility to meet obligations, support growth and navigate market uncertainties. PETRONAS maintains access to multiple financing levers, a structured cash management strategy and a strong credit rating, which supports continued access to capital markets.
Over the next five years, PETRONAS plans to maintain an average capital expenditure of circa RM50 billion annually, with 20 per cent allocated towards New Business and emissions reduction initiatives.
Energy Transition and Growth Strategy
Globally, energy transition commitments and efforts continue to unfold in complex and uneven ways. Some companies that moved aggressively into renewables are now pulling back, while others are recalibrating their ambitions in response to market realities. PETRONAS has remained steady and consistent in its approach to ensure that our transition is well-paced, financially sound, measured and sustainable for the long term.
Our Core Business remains the anchor of our financial strength. It continues to generate steady cash flow, which enables us to invest in emissions reduction efforts and support the growth of our New Business ventures. Rather than making abrupt shifts, we have been strengthening our oil and gas operations to be more efficient and responsible by integrating carbon capture, methane abatement and energy efficiency measures to reduce emissions while maintaining reliability and competitiveness.
We will continue to focus on gas as a transition fuel and prioritise emissions abatement over offsets by reducing emissions at source, as much as we can.
We aim to capture value-accretive growth opportunities to enhance business resilience and future-proof our portfolio. Our diversification strategy is designed to ensure that each new venture delivers long-term value, has the potential to achieve scale and incorporates differentiated risk management. By focusing on opportunities that align with our capabilities, we are expanding beyond our Core Business in a way that is both strategic and financially disciplined.
PETRONAS invested close to RM2 billion in emissions reduction activities and cleaner energy solutions under Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 Pathway efforts in 2024.
Sustaining Economic Growth Through Financial Contributions
In 2024, PETRONAS contributed RM72.4 billion in dividend, taxes, cash payments and other financial commitments to the Government of Malaysia. This included RM32.0 billion in dividend to the Government, declared after full consideration of the Group's current and future commitments as well as growth plans. We also paid RM26.8 billion in taxes, including petroleum income tax, corporate income tax, state sales tax, export duties and other statutory payments. Cash payments of RM13.1 billion were made to Federal and State Governments for the value of hydrocarbon resources monetised by PETRONAS and contractors. PETRONAS also remains the sole contributor to the National Trust Fund, with RM0.5 billion contributed during the year.
These payments result from our strategic financial approach, where economic value is not only retained to fund operations, investments and the energy transition, but also distributed responsibly to sustain Malaysia's fiscal strength, empower state-level development and build national economic resilience. To date, PETRONAS has cumulatively contributed more than RM1.5 trillion to the nation in the form of such payments.
Beyond direct payments, PETRONAS' financial footprint creates broader economic value through its supply chain, workforce and industry partnerships. In 2024, the Group invested more than RM700 million in social impact initiatives globally, generating indirect economic benefits by improving access to education, skills development, clean energy and climate resilience in underserved communities.
Governance and Risk Management
PETRONAS operates in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment where financial discipline, governance and risk management are essential to secure long-term value. In 2024, we enhanced our internal control framework to further strengthen financial compliance and risk oversight across our global operations. These improvements include tighter financial reporting standards, strengthened risk governance structures and enhanced due diligence measures for investment decisions.
Compliance and ethical considerations have long been part of our decision-making processes. These foundations are continuously strengthened through ongoing refinement of our enterprise risk management frameworks, improved financial transparency and deeper integration of climate-related financial disclosures in line with evolving industry standards.
Our financial strategy for 2025 will be shaped by key risks, including commodity price volatility, economic uncertainties, regulatory shifts and the ongoing energy transition, all of which require a structured and forward-looking approach to financial planning.
One of the top financial risks PETRONAS faces is commodity price fluctuations, which have become more volatile in recent years. To mitigate exposure, we apply a structured hedging strategy that protects against extreme price swings while maintaining financial flexibility. Our price assumptions for planning purposes are based on supply and demand fundamentals, ensuring robust investments.
Our investment decisions are guided by a strict risk-reward framework, prioritising financially viable, long-term projects. We take a highly selective approach, choosing projects that can withstand market volatility while actively managing commodity price risks.
Liquidity risk is also carefully managed through diverse funding strategies, including access to capital markets, securing trade finance facilities and revolving credit arrangements. By maintaining a conservative balance sheet, strong credit ratings and a disciplined approach to debt management, PETRONAS ensures sufficient financial strength to support ongoing business commitments and future investments.
We continue to make good progress on our sustainability disclosures, and aim to fully adopt international frameworks such as the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS S1 and S2) and Malaysia's National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF). This alignment enhances transparency, supports accountability and reinforces our commitment to long-term value creation. We welcome the convergence of sustainability disclosures and reporting frameworks as a step towards more structured and consistent reporting.
Strengthening Financial Resilience for Future Growth
As PETRONAS advances into the future, balancing national energy security with commercial agility will be critical. Continued portfolio rationalisation will shape a leaner and more efficient organisation. This deliberate and structured approach provides PETRONAS with the agility to adapt to market shifts while maintaining stability, reinforcing its role as a trusted energy partner for today and the future.