Brunei National Petroleum Co. has signed a deal with two major Japanese companies to form a methanol transport firm to support the first petrochemical plant in the oil rich kingdom, according to reports Saturday from Brunei. The Japanese companies, Kokuka Sangyo, which is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., and trading giant Itochu Corp. signed the agreement Friday with PB Logistics, a subsidiary of Brunei National Petroleum in Brunei. The two Japanese firms are already major players in Brunei's first methanol plant project, with Kokuka Sangyo holding a 30 percent share and Itochu 20 percent of the project's flagship company, Brunei Methanol Co. The new joint venture's main business will be to transport methanol produced by Brunei Methanol Co. to its customers. A newly built dedicated chemical tanker, ordered from China's Ningbo Dongfang Shipyard, is expected to be commissioned in 2010. The Brunei methanol plant is under construction and aims to begin commercial operations in 2010. Brunei has been seeking to diversify its economy from over-reliance on oil and gas production, which currently accounts for more that half of its economy.