Petronas, through Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), has launched the Hydraulic Workover Unit (HWU) Academy to develop Malaysian talent and strengthen national capabilities in well abandonment and decommissioning.
“The HWU Academy’s programmes are designed to equip Malaysians with the technical expertise needed to lead in emerging opportunities, complementing the national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) agenda for hands-on, industry-relevant training,” said Datuk Ir. Bacho Pilong, Senior Vice President of MPM.
Petronas noted in a statement that thenew academy underscores its commitment to ensure “the continuous development of skilled talent to support safe, cost-efficient and sustainable Plug and Abandonment (P&A) operations, a vital component of Malaysia’s upstream lifecycle.”
Building on a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MPM and industry partners, the HWU Academy has progressed from concept to implementation, including two successful pilot training sessions to validate the programme framework.
Serving as a centre of excellence, it will provide hands-on training using retired assets such as the Velesto HWU Gait-01 training unit.
Learners will also benefit from technology-driven modules developed with Halliburton, featuring virtual reality simulators and digital learning tools to enhance technical proficiency and operational readiness.
In addition, the academy will strengthen academic–industry collaboration through strategic partnerships with leading universities such as Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
This will also include collaboration with key ministries such as the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) and the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), and the Malaysian Oil and Gas Services Council (MOGSC).
These collaborations aim to facilitate student enrolment, programme accreditation and grant accessibility, whilst attracting both local and international talent.
“This initiative aligns with Petronas’ aspiration to strengthen the local oil and gas ecosystem, empowering Malaysians to play a leading role in shaping the future of our industry,” said Pilong.
“Velesto Energy Academy and ZNUSS will be the first to embark on this exciting training journey. This partnership reinforces our collective commitment to continuity, consistency and standardisation in developing Malaysia’s HWU capability through the HWU Academy framework.”
