Exploring Waterways: Rivers And Lakes In Seria, Brunei

Seria, officially known as Seria Town, is located in the Belait District of Brunei. The town is situated about 65 kilometres west of the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Seria is known for its oil and gas industry, with the discovery of oil in the area in 1929. The town is named after the Seria River, which flows nearby. While there may be rivers and lakes in the vicinity of Seria, the presence of specific lakes in the area is unclear. However, Brunei itself has a few lakes, including the S-shaped Tasek Merimbun in the Tutong District, and the Wong Kadir and Teraja lakes in the Belait District.

Seria is located within a mangrove swamp and surrounded by an oil field

Seria, officially known as Seria Town, is a town in the Belait District of Brunei. It is located within a mangrove swamp and is surrounded by an oil field. The town is situated about 65 kilometres (40 miles) west of the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Seria was where oil was first struck in Brunei in 1929 and has since become a hub for the country's oil and gas industry. The town's name is derived from the river near where oil was discovered, the Seria River.

The Seria oil field, also known as the Seria Field, is the largest oil field in northwest Borneo. It was discovered in 1929 by the British Malayan Petroleum Company and has been in continuous production since then. The oil is accumulated in Upper Miocene sandstone, trapped in the Seria Anticline, which straddles the present-day coastline. This field has produced over 1 billion barrels of oil over more than 75 years. The discovery of oil in Seria was a pivotal moment in Brunei's economic prosperity and contributed to the country's modernity.

The exploration of the field began in late 1926 when F.F. Marriot, the British Malay Petroleum Company Field Superintendent, and Thomas George Frederick Cochrane, the General Manager of Sarawak Oilfields Limited, smelled "oil" (H2S) in Kuala Belait. They then asked a Swiss geophysicist, Straub, to conduct a geophysical analysis of the area. On July 12, 1928, the first oil well in Seria was commemorated, and on April 5, 1929, oil began to flow from the S-1 well, marking a significant event in Brunei's economic history.

The town of Seria sits atop the Seria oil field, which was discovered in 1929. The Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Company Limited, the operator of the Seria field, has various facilities related to the oil and gas industry in the town. The Seria Refinery, the only refinery in Brunei, is located in the Sungai Bera area, along with other oil and gas infrastructure. Seria's location within a mangrove swamp and its proximity to the oil field have shaped its development as a centre for the oil and gas industry in Brunei.

The Brunei River is the shortest major river in Brunei

The Brunei River is the shortest of the major rivers in Brunei. It flows through the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and is home to Kampong Ayer, a traditional village built on stilts above the river. The Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, stands on its banks.

The Brunei River is the major river basin within the Brunei-Muara District, the smallest but most populous district in the country. It is a major river that flows through Brunei and empties into the Brunei Bay in the northeast direction. The river is an important source of freshwater for the western parts of the country.

The river holds significant historical value, with several of Brunei's historical sites located along its banks. These include the Kota Batu Archaeological Park, the primary archaeological site in the country, as well as the tombs of various sultans of Brunei. The Limau Manis River, a source river of the Brunei River, is home to the Limau Manis archaeological site, which dates back to the Chinese Song dynasty (960–1279 AD).

The river also plays a crucial role in local legends and myths. For instance, the island of Lumut Lunting, positioned at the mouth of the Brunei River, is associated with a well-known legend involving a cockfight between the kings of Brunei and the Majapahit Empire.

In 2006, the Brunei government initiated a clean-up campaign for the river, allocating a total of $3.9 million for the project, in addition to $90,000 for house-to-house waste collection.

Seria was the first place in Borneo invaded by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II

Seria, Brunei, is located on the island of Borneo, which was divided into five territories before World War II. Four of these territories were under British control, while the bulk of the island was under the jurisdiction of the Dutch East Indies. The Japanese invasion of Borneo was part of a larger campaign in the Pacific, which included attacks on the United States, Great Britain, and Thailand. Seria was one of the first places in Borneo to be invaded by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

On December 13, 1941, a Japanese convoy left Cam Ranh Bay in French Indochina, headed for Borneo. The invasion force was led by Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi and consisted of units previously stationed in southern China. The Japanese forces targeted the oil fields at Miri in the Sarawak region and Seria in Brunei, which were a prime objective due to Borneo's rich petroleum resources.

On December 16, 1941, nine days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, two Japanese landing units secured Miri and Seria with little resistance from British forces. The Japanese Kawaguchi Detachment came ashore, and upon their invasion, the British forces destroyed the oil field to prevent its capture. Lutong, where the oil was refined, was captured a few hours later. The Japanese intended to capture Miri and Seria, and then move on to Kuching and the nearby airfields.

The Japanese occupation of Seria and the rest of Borneo lasted for over three years, during which they promoted the Japanization of the local population, requiring them to learn Japanese language and customs. The Japanese also constructed airfields and other military infrastructure using prisoners of war and conscripted labour. The occupation had varying effects on the local population, with Malays generally allowed to maintain their positions, ethnic Chinese abused, and most Dayaks treated neutrally.

The Belait River is the longest waterway in Brunei

The Belait River is the longest of the four main waterways in Brunei. It is also referred to as Sungai Belait in Malay. The river flows through the Belait District in western Brunei, covering a distance of about 20 miles (32 km) through swampy terrain before discharging into the South China Sea.

Kuala Belait, one of Brunei's important towns and a centre of an offshore oilfield, is situated at the mouth of the Belait River. The river also passes through other notable settlements, such as Kampong Sungai Teraban and Kampong Rasau on its west bank, and Mukim Kuala Balai upstream.

The Belait River is of historical significance to Brunei, with monuments such as the Menara Cendera Kenangan, celebrating His Majesty's 50th birthday, located along its banks. The river also played a role in the country's maritime industry, with Borneo's only floating drydock arriving in the Belait River in 1979.

The Belait River is one of the indigenous river systems that flow north through the regions of Brunei to the South China Sea, along with the Tutong River. These rivers contribute to the country's ecologically intact mangrove forests, which are considered among the most pristine in Southeast Asia.

Seria is home to the Masjid Pekan Seria, the oldest surviving mosque in the country

Seria, officially known as Seria Town, is located in the Belait District of Brunei, about 65 kilometres (40 miles) west of the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The town is situated within a mangrove swamp and is surrounded by an oil field. Seria is home to the Masjid Pekan Seria, the oldest surviving mosque in the country.

The Masjid Pekan Seria, also known as the Pekan Seria Mosque, is the main and oldest mosque in Seria. It was rebuilt in 1953 at a cost of B$250,000, becoming the first mosque in Brunei to feature a dome. The mosque is located in Pekan Seria, one of the two village subdivisions that make up Seria.

Seria has a strong connection to the country's oil and gas industry, with the discovery of oil in the region in 1929. The town's name is derived from the river near where oil was first struck, known as the Seria River. The Seria oil field, discovered in 1929, has been in continuous production since then, contributing significantly to the country's economy.

The religious diversity in Seria includes Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. While Islam is adhered to by the majority of the local population, other religions are predominantly practised by permanent residents, foreign workers, and migrants. Seria also boasts a variety of culinary options, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, and Italian restaurants, catering to both local residents and tourists.

In addition to its religious and cultural significance, Seria offers educational opportunities with several schools, such as the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Religious School, Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Mohd Yusof Primary School, and St. Margaret's School, among others. Seria's historical significance extends beyond the Masjid Pekan Seria, as it was one of the first places in Borneo invaded by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The town has witnessed conflicts and changes throughout its history, contributing to its rich narrative.

Frequently asked questions