Malaysia's leading gas infrastructure operator, Petronas Gas Bhd, has fully restored gas supply to critical areas in Batu Tiga, Shah Alam, and Connaught Bridge after a pipeline burst at Putra Heights, Selangor, on April 1 disrupted supplies.  

According to the company’s announcement on Sunday, July 6, the restoration follows the successful commissioning of a new bypass pipeline on July 1, just over two months after the pipeline explosion incident.

The resumption of full supply is vital for energy continuity to households, businesses, and industries in the affected regions, which largely rely on natural gas. 

Natural gas contributes 40% to 50% of Malaysia’s electricity generation. As such, any disruption can have a significant impact on the country’s economy. 

Following the incident, PetGas conducted precautionary assessments along its 2,680-kilometer Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) pipeline, confirming no other locations exhibit similar risk characteristics to Putra Heights. 

"Monitoring efforts remain ongoing as part of PetGas’ continuous integrity assurance," the company stated Sunday.

To prevent a repeat of such incidents, PetGas has installed enhanced safety features at the Putra Heights bypass section, including advanced sensors for soil and pipeline movement, structural reinforcements like sheet piling, and engineered support systems that exceed regulatory requirements. 

The gas-in operation, which safely reintroduced natural gas into the new system, began at 9:30 a.m. on July 1 and was fully stabilized by midnight, adhering to strict safety protocols.

In response to investigation findings by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), PetGas is designing a new permanent pipeline with deep-piled slab foundations and advanced shut-off valves for quicker isolation during emergencies.

PetGas has also committed substantial humanitarian aid, distributing over 2 million Malaysian ringgit (about $425,000 USD) through local authorities for medical assistance, property relief, and rebuilding efforts.