Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) expects the recently awarded Tanjung Baram field to produce the first hydrocarbon within 11 months.

Petronas in a statement on Friday said the field was awarded to EQ Petroleum Developments Malaysia Sdn Bhd (EnQuest) and Uzma Energy Venture (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (Uzma) on March 27 under the Small Field Risk Service Contract (SFRSC).

This SFRSC will see EnQuest and Uzma conduct development and production works at the Tanjong Baram field.

"The first hydrocarbon from the Tanjong Baram field is expected to be within 11 months from now," Petronas Vice President of Petroleum Management Adif Zulkifli said.

Tanjong Baram field, located about six kilometres offshore Sarawak, is the fifth SFRSC awarded to date.

Under the contract terms, Petronas is the project owner, while EnQuest and Uzma are the contractors for this petroleum arrangement.

The other RSCs awarded are the Berantai field to Petrofac Energy Developments Sdn Bhd and Sapura Kencana Petroleum Bhd in January 2011, and the Balai- Bentara cluster to a consortium comprising Roc Oil (Malaysia) Pty Ltd, Dialog Group Bhd and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd in August 2011.

Petronas also awarded a RSC for the Kapal, Banang and Meranti cluster to Coastal Energy KBM Sdn Bhd in June 2012, and the Tembikai-Chenang cluster to Vestigo Petroleum Sdn Bhd in October last year.