Malaysian national petroleum corporation Petronas has opened an office in Bahrain, its first in the Arab Gulf region, as part of its ongoing global strategy.

''We are committed to a long-term presence in Bahrain as well as in other parts of the Gulf,'' said Petronas president and chief executive Mohammed Hassan Marican at the official opening of the office by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad.

''We hope that the opening of this office will enable us to provide a more integrated and efficient service to meet the needs of our partners and customers in this important market,'' he added.

The opening of the Bahrain office follows the award to Petronas last year of two Blocks offshore Bahrain. Petronas holds 100 per cent equity of the Blocks IV and VI, and plans to drill its first well in October this year, Marican said.