Bibi Zurinda Zakaria

I was actively involved in sourcing and contract management activities, supporting upstream procurement operations for PETRONAS Carigali’s international projects, including in countries like Suriname and Brazil.

In addition to my core responsibilities, I also took the initiative to mentor junior staff in tendering processes, which helped build a supportive and positive work environment within the team.

I was responsible for managing the full contract lifecycle for Pipeline and Contruction Division. This included preparing and submitting contract modification requests to the relevant approving authorities, especially for issues that required additional funding. I ensured all requests were well-justified, with clear documentation of scope changes and financial impacts in line with procurement policies.

I also monitored contractor compliance with key contractual obligations such as insurance and bank guarantee submissions. For contracts that had expired, I conducted thorough closure activities to confirm that all outstanding matters were resolved before issuing the official Contract Closure Certificate.

Additionally, I provided regular reports and insights to senior management on contract performance.

I also played a key role in knowledge sharing by leading workshops and training sessions on contract governance and best practices for junior team members.

I was responsible for leading the full cycle of procurement and pre-award activities for materials and services tenders across PETRONAS Operating Plants in Kertih, Terengganu. This included managing high-value and strategic tenders worth over RM20 million (USD 4.21 million). I used digital procurement tools such as SMART by GEP to ensure compliance with procurement governance and alignment with overall business objectives.

As part of my role, I prepared detailed Tender Plans (TP) and Technical Evaluation Reports (TER) to support decision-making at the executive level.

I also led commercial negotiations with vendors and worked closely with contract holders to identify value creation opportunities and reduce project costs.

In addition, I drafted both service and material contracts, making sure all key elements—such as scope, deliverables, timelines, payment terms, and risk clauses—were clearly defined and aligned with company policies and legal requirements.

I led the development and execution of contracting strategies for Wells and Drilling Services, ensuring they were aligned with PETRONAS’ long-term business goals while creating mutually beneficial outcomes for both the company and its contractors.

As part of this role, I developed a cost database for key Wells Services—including Directional Drilling (DD), Measurement While Drilling (MWD), Logging While Drilling (LWD), and Slickline Services—which helped improve procurement planning and optimize future tender strategies.

One of my key achievements was establishing and managing a major contract worth RM246 million for drilling programs. This involved close coordination with Petroleum Arrangements Contractors (PACs) and ensuring full compliance with PETRONAS' procurement governance.

I also played a key role in building long-term relationships with both international and local drilling contractors, focusing on continuous contract compliance and effective post-award management.

In addition, I closely monitored contractor performance to ensure high standards of service delivery, and took the lead in resolving any post-award issues, helping to improve operational efficiency in large-scale drilling projects.

I was responsible for providing accurate cost estimates for subsea projects by using historical cost data, supplier quotations, and current industry trends. This helped ensure that pricing remained competitive and aligned with client expectations. I contributed to several high-profile international projects, including the Woodside Frame Agreement, ConocoPhillips' Bayu Undan, and Murphy’s South Dalmatian project.

One of my key achievements was developing a benchmarking database for subsea Xmas trees, which was adopted by global teams in Norway, Brazil, and Malaysia. This tool helped streamline cost estimation and improve the efficiency of bid processes.

I also prepared and reviewed bid submissions to ensure they complied with client-specific Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Tender Pricing Formats. Additionally, I played an important role in supporting global tenders for subsea installation projects, working closely with project execution teams across various region

I was responsible for managing business proposals, tenders, and project costing for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services related to subsea pipeline installation. My role covered the full cycle from planning to execution, contributing directly to the success of various offshore projects.

I managed communications with clients, addressing both technical and commercial queries to ensure a high standard of service and to provide effective, tailored solutions. I prepared detailed commercial and technical proposals for several major Offshore Installation Contractors (OICs), including Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), EMAS Offshore, TL Offshore, Sapura Kencana Petroleum, Malaysia Marine Heavy Engineering (MMHE), Saipem, Leighton Group, PBJV, Target Energy Corporation, and Myanmar Oil & Gas Enterprise (MOGE).

In addition, I was responsible for managing project costing and preparing revenue forecasts. These business proposals were reviewed internally and presented to management before being submitted to clients. I also led company introductions and technical presentations for potential clients, helping to raise the company’s profile and support future business growth.