Exploring The Heart Of Brunei: Seria's Location

Seria, officially known as Seria Town, is a small town in the Belait District of Brunei. It is located on the northeast shoreline of Borneo Island, around 65km west of the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Seria is known for being the first place where oil was discovered in Brunei in 1929, and it has since become a centre for the country's oil and gas industry. The town has a population of around 18,936 people as of 2016 and is home to various ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese, and other minorities. Seria offers a range of attractions for visitors, including the Billionth Barrel Monument, the Oil & Gas Discovery Centre, and the Teraja Waterfall.

Seria is a small town in Brunei's Belait District

Seria is known for its oil and gas industry, which has been the primary business of the nation since oil was first discovered in the area in 1929. The town sits atop the Seria oil field, the oldest in Brunei, which has been in continuous production since its discovery. The Brunei Shell Petroleum Company, one of the largest corporations in the sultanate, is headquartered in Seria. The town also has an oil refinery, the only one in Brunei, as well as a crude oil terminal and a gas compression plant.

In addition to its oil industry, Seria offers a range of attractions for visitors. The Billionth Barrel Monument, built in 1991, commemorates the billionth barrel of crude oil produced from the Seria oil field. The Oil & Gas Discovery Centre is another popular attraction, providing insight into the history of the industry in the region. Seria also has a beach, where visitors can stroll along the shoreline and enjoy the sea breeze.

The town has a variety of dining options, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, and Italian cuisine. The Universal Cafe, a traditional Hainanese coffee shop, is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Seria also has shopping plazas, such as the Seria Plaza, and a wet market called Pasarneka Seria.

Seria is located about 65 kilometres (40 miles) west of Brunei's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and is accessible by bus and highway. It is also in close proximity to other towns in the Belait District, such as Kuala Belait and Kampong Baru.

It is located on the northeast shoreline of Borneo island

Seria is located on the northeast shoreline of Borneo island, which is the third-largest island in the world. It is situated in the Belait District of Brunei. The town is about 65 kilometres west of the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and has a population of around 18,936 people as of 2016.

Borneo is divided into four political regions: Kalimantan, which belongs to Indonesia; Sabah and Sarawak, which are part of Malaysia; and the small sultanate of Brunei. The island is located southeast of the Malay Peninsula and southwest of the Philippines, with a total area of approximately 287,000 square miles.

Seria sits within a mangrove swamp and is surrounded by an oil field. It is known for being the first place where oil was discovered in Brunei in 1929, making it a significant centre for the country's oil and gas industry. The town's name is derived from the river near where oil was first struck, and it has become a vital economic hub for Brunei.

The town centre of Seria is bounded by Jalan Tengah and the Seria Arena to the north, Jalan Lorong Satu Barat to the east, Jalan Bolkiah to the south, and Jalan Lorong Tiga Barat to the west. It has a territory of 0.603 square kilometres. The suburb of Panaga is located west of Seria, while Kampong Baru is situated to the east. Seria is easily accessible by road, with the official capital of the Belait District, Kuala Belait, located just 16 kilometres west.

Seria's position on the northeast shoreline of Borneo provides it with access to the South China Sea, which borders the northwest of the island. This coastal location has played a crucial role in the town's historical and economic significance, particularly in relation to the oil industry.

Seria is the centre of Brunei's oil and gas industry

Seria, officially known as Seria Town (Malay: Pekan Seria), is a town in the Belait District of Brunei, located about 65 kilometres (40 mi) west of the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Seria is the centre of Brunei's oil and gas industry, which has been the essential business of the nation.

History of Oil and Gas Industry in Seria

Seria is where oil was first struck in Brunei in 1929, in an area known as Wild Pigeon's Field on the west bank of the Seria River. The first commercial oil well was completed the same year, and production began by 1931, with the first export in 1932. Seria sits atop the Seria oil field, the largest oil field in northwest Borneo, which has been in continuous production since its discovery in 1929, except for brief interruptions during World War II. Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) is the operator of this field and is headquartered in nearby Panaga. The Seria Refinery, the only refinery in Brunei, is located in the Sungai Bera area, along with other oil and gas facilities.

Impact on Brunei's Economy and Development

The discovery of oil in Seria in the late 1920s marked a turning point in the country's economic prosperity and contributed to its path towards modernisation and independence. Seria's oil revenues have been crucial to Brunei's development since the mid-20th century. The Seria oil field has produced more than 1 billion barrels of oil over 75 years, with over 900 wells drilled to date.

Seria as a Tourist Destination

Seria has also become a tourist destination, with attractions such as the Billionth Barrel Monument, commemorating the billionth barrel of crude oil produced from the Seria oil field, and the Seria Energy Lab, an interactive museum showcasing the history of the oil and gas industry and technological advancements.

The town has a population of around 18,936 people

Seria, officially known as Seria Town, is a town in the Belait District of Brunei. It is located on the northeast shoreline of the island of Borneo, about 65 kilometres (40 mi) west of the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The town has a population of around 18,936 people, as of 2016.

Seria is a beachfront town, with a territory of 0.603 square kilometres. The town centre is set within an area bounded by Jalan Tengah and the Seria Arena to the north, Jalan Lorong Satu Barat to the east, Jalan Bolkiah to the south, and Jalan Lorong Tiga Barat to the west. Seria is known for its oil and gas industry, being the first place in Brunei where oil was discovered in 1929. The town sits atop the Seria oil field, which has been in continuous production since its discovery. The Brunei Shell Petroleum Company, one of the sultanate's largest corporations, is headquartered in Seria.

The town has a diverse population, with Islam being the predominant religion practised by the local Malay community. Other faiths present in Seria include Christianity, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, which are followed by permanent residents, foreign workers, and migrants. Seria's population also includes a significant number of expatriates, particularly in the Panaga area, due to the presence of Royal Dutch Shell and British Army housing.

Seria offers a range of amenities and attractions for its residents and visitors. The town has a bazaar, fresh food markets, supermarkets, banking services, and tourist information centres. There are also various dining options, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, and Italian restaurants. Seria is home to two mosques, with the Masjid Pekan Seria being the main and oldest mosque in town. Additionally, there are Christian churches, such as St. Margaret's Church and the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.

In terms of education, Seria has several schools, including religious schools, primary schools, and international schools. The town also has recreational facilities, such as the Anduki Jubilee Recreational Park, where activities like fishing and windsurfing take place. Seria is known for its Billionth Barrel Monument, commemorating the billionth barrel of crude oil produced from the Seria oil field.

Attractions include the Billionth Barrel Monument and the Oil & Gas Discovery Centre

Seria, officially known as Seria Town, is located in the Belait District of Brunei, about 65 kilometres west of the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. It is home to several attractions, including the Billionth Barrel Monument and the Oil & Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC).

The Billionth Barrel Monument was built in 1991 to commemorate the production of the billionth barrel of crude oil from the Seria oil field. The monument is located in the birthplace of the oil industry in Seria and is a popular attraction for both tourists and locals. It features a long pathway that serves as a gallery of art, showcasing creative works by local artists that depict the oil industry. The surrounding area offers a beautiful beachscape suitable for family leisure activities, and the site is also a popular jogging spot.

The Oil & Gas Discovery Centre, rebranded as the Seria Energy Lab (SEL) in 2020, is a science centre constructed near the Seria Oil Field. It was officiated by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 2002 and underwent major renovations from 2018 to 2020. The centre offers a range of facilities, including a main gallery, basketball court, beach soccer pit, classroom, conference room, playground, science lab, and a theatre. It provides an educational experience, detailing the discovery of oil and gas in Brunei through interactive electronic games and exhibits.

Both the Billionth Barrel Monument and the Oil & Gas Discovery Centre (Seria Energy Lab) pay tribute to Seria's rich history as a centre of the oil and gas industry in Brunei. They offer insights into the country's economic development and provide educational and recreational opportunities for visitors.

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