In recent years, Brunei Darussalam’s energy landscape underwent a massive transformation, utilizing modern technologies to drive the nation’s socio-economic development, giving rise to inclusive growth and shared prosperity for the entire economy. Against the backdrop of volatile global energy market, the oil and gas sector need to adopt new strategies to strengthen its resiliency to unfavorable market conditions.
In recognizing the paramount importance of the oil and gas sector, Energy Seminar was held in a hybrid format on 17 June 2022 at the Muzakarah Hall, International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas as part of the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2022 (Brunei MYCE 2022) Energy Week. Organized by Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam (PA), the seminar provided a glimpse into the oil and gas sector and where it is heading. The event was officiated by Yang Mulia Awang Haji Azhar bin Haji Yahya, Permanent Secretary, Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office and PA Interim Managing Director. Present as the Guest of Honour was Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw, Deputy Minister, Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Featuring international speakers from Southeast Asian region, the seminar was divided into four (4) sessions covering a wide range of topics and case studies including subsurface, asset integrity, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE), Green Energy and enabling technology to unlock upstream opportunities.
The first session was on Marginal Field Upstream, presented by international speakers from PETRONAS, Malaysia; PERTAMINA Hulu Energi, Indonesia; PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, Thailand; and S&P Global. Examples on how marginal fields becoming economically viable were presented through optimization of process, governmental and regulatory promotion, standardization, cost control and integrated solutions. These are met with application of new technologies to enable development of challenging fields to be viable and economical.
This was followed by a session focusing on asset integrity. As oil, gas and petrochemical sectors are capital intensive, maintaining optimal performance levels are critical to sustain profitability. Asset integrity and process safety are strongly interrelated and of significant importance as they play a key role in anticipating and preventing events and recommending appropriate action plans. The speakers shared insights and best practices on how to effectively manage assets to deliver value and innovative solutions to tackle current and future challenges to achieve productivity gains, while meeting safety and environmental standards. This session was represented by and PA, Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd and Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd.
Meanwhile, the afternoon session of the seminar covered three (3) other themes, namely: Growing Importance of HSSE in Energy Sector; Towards Efficient and Green Energy Future; and Enabling Technology in Challenging Fields.
Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) plays a critical role in the oil and gas industry’s business and technical operations. With good practices and deep expertise, all built upon many years of learning, this session was represented by experts from the Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA), Hengyi Industries Sdn Bhd and Total Energies EP (Brunei) B.V.
The subsequent session, ‘Towards Efficient and Green Energy Future’ provided compelling discussions, actionable insights, and a unique opportunity to learn more on innovative green technologies.
Finally, the session on ‘Enabling Technology in Challenging Fields’ reveals a special overview of low-cost development and new area perspectives to unlock opportunities through utilizing the latest development in research and technologies. Digitalization, innovation, and pipeline of the future were deliberated and how they will shape the upstream oil and gas industry.
