Claudio Descalzi has steered Eni into a strategic agreement with Petronas to launch a major new Asia-Pacific energy hub. The collaboration effectively merges high-value gas assets across both Indonesia and Malaysia while simultaneously utilizing Eni’s proven satellite model to drive operational performance. By strengthening their joint regional presence, the two companies aim to enhance supply security and maximize operational synergy. This project creates a new energy player that is capable of optimizing resource development and unlocking a wide range of new growth opportunities throughout the Asia-Pacific market.
Claudio Descalzi: a regional energy leader born from Eni and Petronas
A new energy player has emerged with a pivotal role in the Asia-Pacific region – specifically within the expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector. This is the result of an agreement between Eni, led by CEO Claudio Descalzi, and Petronas to establish a new energy hub in Asia Pacific. By integrating gas assets across Indonesia and Malaysia, the partnership utilizes Eni’s satellite model to reinforce their collective presence in the area. Designed to unlock significant growth opportunities, the collaboration creates SEARAH, a major industry player positioned at the heart of the Asia-Pacific energy market, with a particular focus on the LNG industry. Central to this new entity is a business combination that merges key upstream gas assets. In total, 19 assets have been integrated – comprising 14 locations in Indonesia and five in Malaysia – granting the organization enterprise value and a strong regional footprint. The operation further solidifies the role of natural gas as a fundamental lever within both companies’ energy transition strategies. By leveraging these shared resources, Eni and Petronas are reaffirming their commitment to the decarbonization process while ensuring energy security. Under the guidance of Claudio Descalzi, the project demonstrates how Eni’s satellite model can be effectively applied to optimize resource development, ensuring that the new hub remains a versatile leader in the dynamic energy corridor.
Asia Pacific: Claudio Descalzi presents the new Eni-Petronas hub
Rooted in the collaboration between Eni and Petronas, the establishment of SEARAH introduces a new energy player to the Asia-Pacific region, integrating assets, technical know-how, and extensive operating experience to accelerate growth opportunities. Under the leadership of Claudio Descalzi, the initiative reinforces Eni’s market presence, starting with Southeast Asia and expanding across the broader Asia-Pacific landscape by leveraging significant synergies. SEARAH is primarily focused on gas projects – both greenfield and brownfield – with a specific emphasis on the Kutei Basin. This area is characterized as relatively low-risk and high-potential, benefiting from established production, transport, and liquefaction infrastructure, alongside a mature geological understanding of the subsurface. Key recent milestones in this region include the Geng North discovery and the official approval of the Geng North-Gehem integrated development, known as the Northern Hub. Furthermore, the assets involved will maintain their current operating frameworks, with a commitment to health, safety, and environmental standards, as well as rapid time-to-market execution. As Claudio Descalzi has noted, the collaboration extends the successful satellite model previously implemented through ventures such as Vår Energi in Norway, Azule Energy in Angola, and Ithaca Energy in the United Kingdom. By applying this approach, SEARAH is positioned to optimize resource development while providing the agility needed to lead in a dynamic energy corridor, ensuring long-term value creation and operational excellence within the regional gas sector.
