SapuraKencana Petroleum Bhd, Malaysia's biggest oil and gas services company by market value, on May 31 announced two natural gas discoveries offshore East Malaysia.

The Jerun-1 discovery well struck a gross gas column of about 800 m and "is a multi-Tcf (trillion cubic feet) gas discovery," it said in a local stock exchange filing.

A second well, the Jeremin-1, found a 104-m gross gas column, said the statement, adding that both wells are close to existing infrastructure which supplies gas to Bintulu, Sarawak. Bintulu is the location of a large liquefied natural gas export terminal.

The wells are located in the Block SK408 production sharing contract area.

The new gas discoveries will add another 3 Tcf of gas to the existing 3 Tcf previously found in the Block SK408 area, said a source familiar with the drilling project.

The wells were drilled by SapuraKencana Energy as part of a three-well drilling program in Block SK408 as exploration operator.

SapuraKencana holds a 40 percent stake in the block, along with Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Shell Bhd who hold 30 percent each.