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.
Datuk Ir. Bacho Pilong’s recent visit to PGSC
The oldest cuttings at PGSC Miri-1 well at Grand Old Lady
The oldest fluid samples at PGSC, aged more than 100 years old!
Outcrop and rock formation gallery in PGSC
Diverse range of fluid samples housed in the PGSC
Cylindrical core sample, acquired during drilling activities
Transformation of Seismic Tape Records
Cuttings samples; small rock fragments are generated by the drill bit as it penetrates the Earth
Geomagnetic media is equipped with temperature & humidity control for optimal physical data preservation
A 17-meter-high racking system, comprising 31 rows, designed to store up to 200,000 geo-sample boxes
Features three dedicated viewing halls designed for the systematic layout, observation, and analysis of geological core samples