Featured Speakers

Khairulanwar Zakaria joined the Malaysian Gas Association (MGA) as the Secretary General in September 2023. MGA is the nation’s lead advocate for the natural gas industry, playing a prominent role in promoting engagement, discourse and dialogue with key stakeholders to develop a vibrant and sustainable gas industry, fuel Malaysia's socio-economic growth and ensure pragmatic energy transition towards a low carbon economy.

Prior to joining MGA, Khairulanwar Zakaria (KZ) served PETRONAS for 34 years since 1991 upon completion of his Bachelor’s degree from City University, London, United Kingdom.  With a career spanning over three decades in the oil and gas industry, KZ has worked internationally and accumulated extensive knowledge and experience in gas related activities and business. In the early to mid-nineties, he was involved in supporting the development of the integrated petroleum complexes in Kerteh and Gebeng which entailed the development of Gas  Processing  Plants,  various  petrochemical  plants as  well as the supporting infrastructures and facilities.

He worked at the company’s Corporate Planning Division in 1997 and was involved in the development of strategic business plans, performance monitoring and resolving corporate issues. In 1999, he was seconded to the Malaysian Prime Minister Department’s Economic Planning Unit (EPU) as PETRONAS representative; his key roles during the three-year stint at EPU were assisting the Government in formulating and executing energy-related policies, managing and handling Parliamentary questions as well as representing PETRONAS during selected Government meetings.

In 2002, he pursued a one-year Executive Master of Business Administration Program (MBA Energy) under PETRONAS’ Scholarship in HEC Montreal, Canada. Upon completing his MBA in 2003, he was involved in the company wide Corporate Strategy Study/Integrated Transition Program (CSS/ITP). His main role was formulating and executing PETRONAS’ expansion strategy in gas related activities.

He undertook the business development role for Gas Business in 2004 and was involved in numerous commercial activities. He was handpicked to join the IGU Gas Market Integration Working Group and was a speaker at the World Gas Conference 2009 (Buenos Aires).

In 2009, he was promoted to the position of General Manager, Business Development. Among notable achievements  during  his  tenure  as  the  Head  of  Business  Development  were  concluding  Gas  Sales Agreements (GSAs) in Singapore, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, formulating Gas Utilization and Monetization Masterplan (Mauritania), acquisition of Cogeneration plant in the UK as well as acquisition of Shale Gas assets in Canada.

He assumed the position of General Manager of Fleet Management in 2012. His main roles were managing the operation of 23 LNG ships serving PETRONAS Group of companies’ requirements, overseeing the safety aspect of LNG cargo delivery operation, providing advice on technical and marine operation (related to LNG ships) as well as determining the LNG shipping capacity requirement for PETRONAS Group of companies. In 2013, he was involved in the conclusion of Ship Building Contract for 4 new LNG ships.

He was appointed as the Head of LNG Marketing Korea, China and Taiwan in May 2015. His areas of responsibilities involve all types of LNG sales (spot and term); where he concluded numerous LNG supply deals (more than 8 mtpa), contract repackaging and price review exercises in those countries. He led a few “breakthrough” initiatives in LNG contracts and operations such as China Truck Market Price Index, AECO Index, Ship To Ship (STS) LNG transfer, LNG ISO Tanks deliveries and multiple discharge port deliveries (China).