After Shell, Malaysian firm gets to work for Petronas

May 26, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

Malaysian offshore soil investigation and geotechnical engineering services company Helms Geomarine has performed an offshore geotechnical investigation campaign for Shell offshore Sarawak.

The campaign was carried out for Sarawak Shell Berhad using the DP2 geotechnical survey vessel Keyfield Helms 1, ahead of schedule, the Malaysian company said.

The scope included soil boring, seabed sampling and downhole cone penetration test (CPT) operations for platform installation and jack-up entry locations, with seabed CPT investigations for mudmat foundation assessment utilizing Helms’ Neptune 5000 Seabed CPT system.

The work was executed under the parties’ long-term offshore geotechnical engineering services contract.

Chief Operating Officer at Helms, Syahril Ikhwan, said: “Safe and efficient execution remains one of the key priorities across all HELMS operations. Completing the SHELL campaign ahead of schedule is a reflection of the commitment, experience and teamwork demonstrated by both our offshore and onshore teams throughout the project.”

Following the completion, Helms reported it would resume its back-to-back lineup of soil investigation campaigns for PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) to support plug & abandonment (P&A) works in Sarawak waters.

The company further announced it was preparing for the upcoming launch of its latest DP2 geotechnical survey vessel, Keyfield Itqan. The Malaysia-flagged vessel is equipped with a moonpool, four-point mooring system, four positioning reference systems and Helms’ latest HG-50 offshore geotechnical drilling rig.