The Guardian of Malaysia’s Subsurface Heritage

When we speak of national treasures, we often think of cultural landmarks, historical sites, or natural beauty. But beneath our very feet lies another kind of treasure, our subsurface heritage captured in rocks, fluids, and data that tell the story of our Earth’s history and hold the keys to our energy future.

For over a decade, the PETRONAS GEOSCIENCE CENTRE (PGSC), a state-of-the-art facility that served as the guardian of this invaluable legacy, has ensured that Malaysia’s geoscience data, from ancient core samples to modern seismic tapes, are preserved, managed, and accessible to fuel Malaysia’s upstream energy sector and serves the nation’s broader interests.

A National Asset Evolving with Purpose

Since its establishment over a decade ago, PGSC has evolved from a conventional data warehouse into a modern Centre of Excellence, aligning with the National Data Repository (NDR) aspirations to become a modern and sustainable NDR facility.  Today, it is more than just a storage facility, it is a dynamic hub where data meets technology to support informed decision-making, responsible resource stewardship, and sustainable nation development.

With enhanced features, the Centre now hosts digitised core samples, temperature-controlled storage rooms for fluid samples, significantly evolved geomagnetic tape archive, and dedicated spaces such as a microscope lab for high-resolution analysis. These advancements represent a shift towards smarter, more sustainable data management practices that benefit both industry and the country.

Powering Progress Through Three Core Functions

PGSC houses thousands of geological samples, from core samples and cuttings to fluid samples and thin sections, collected over decades of exploration. These materials, alongside extensive geomagnetic data and a vast archive of technical documents, help scientists, researchers, and engineers understand Earth’s composition, petroleum systems, and resource potential.
Some of the oldest specimens are more than 100 years old, dating back to the Grand Old Lady oil well in Miri (1910) and Miri Well (1945); a testament to Malaysia’s rich energy heritage. Through purpose-built preservation facilities, secure storage, and cataloguing, PGSC curates these historical assets as part of a dynamic archive, safeguarding the past to support future exploration.