Seria Energy Lab

{{Short description|Science center in Seria, Belait, Brunei}}

{{Infobox museum

| name = Seria Energy Lab

| image = File:Seria Energy Lab (1).jpg

| former_name = Oil and Gas Discovery Centre

| established = {{start date|2002|09}}

| location = F20 Jalan Tengah, Seria, Belait, Brunei KB3534

| type = Science museum

| website = {{url|https://seriaenergylab.com|seriaenergylab.com}}

| leader_type = Head

| leader = Nur Karnina binti Karim

| coordinates = {{coord|4.6171172|114.3268552|display=inline}}

| accreditation = Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres (ASPAC)

| owner = Brunei Shell Petroleum

| parking = On site (no charge)

}}

The Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC; {{langx|ms|Pusat Penemuan Minyak dan Gas}}) is a science centre in Seria, Belait District, Brunei. It was constructed near the Seria Oil Field and was rebranded Seria Energy Lab (SEL) in 2020. As BSP's flagship initiative, it aims to promote the nation's scientific literacy.{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://seriaenergylab.com/about-us/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Seria Energy Lab |language=en-US}}

History

OGDC was officiated by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on 14 September 2002,{{cite web|url=http://www.ogdcbrunei.com/page-12/|date=2018|title=Our Vision|website=Oil and Gas Discovery Centre|accessdate=22 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222165303/http://www.ogdcbrunei.com/page-12/|archive-date=22 February 2018|url-status=dead}} on the same day of the inauguration of Ampa Fairley Rationalisation Project (AFRP).{{Cite news |date=2024-03-02 |title=Sambutan Ulang Tahun Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam Kali Ke-40 |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Keluaran%20Khas%20Dokumen/2024/020324_SISIPAN%20KHAS%20HK%2040%20EDISI%20KEDUA.pdf |access-date=2024-08-22 |work=Pelita Brunei |pages=7 |language=ms}} The Shell Traffic Games and OGDC Traffic Games Park opened for business in 2007. The International Science Centre had its first traveling exhibition at the facility in 2012. The Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres (ASPAC) conference was arranged by the center in 2014. The institution hosted "Pesta Sains," its inaugural scientific festival, in 2018.

From 2 July 2018 until 2 May 2020, it underwent major renovation and the rebranding of its name from Oil and Gas Discovery Centre to Seria Energy Lab.{{Cite web|last=Jimi-Ha|title=LOCAL NEWS|url=https://3g.modasys.net/index.php/news-events/around-brunei/local-news/32757-ogdc-to-undergo-major-renovations.html|access-date=2021-04-04|website=3g.modasys.net|language=en-gb}}{{Cite web|last=gp|date=2020-11-06|title=Seria’s latest landmark a big hit » Borneo Bulletin Online|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/serias-latest-landmark-a-big-hit/|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Borneo Bulletin Online|language=en-US}} To highlight its importance in the nation, the facility received a significant makeover in 2019. The center's objective has been updated to align with Wawasan Brunei 2035, which is to generate highly competent and educated citizens.

Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) celebrated its 90th anniversary with the construction of the Seria Energy Recreational Park. BSP seized the chance to open the solar-powered park to the public so that the people of Seria and Belait might engage in light walking and physical activity throughout the evening. The Billionth Barrel Monument is located around {{Convert|5|km}} from the park.{{Cite web |title=Seria Energy Recreational Park |url=https://seriaenergylab.com/outdoor-fun/energy-park-2/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Seria Energy Lab |language=en-US}} On 6 April 2021, SEL was officially opened by Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah.{{Cite news |date=2024-03-02 |title=Sambutan Ulang Tahun Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam Kali Ke-40 |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Keluaran%20Khas%20Dokumen/2024/020324_SISIPAN%20KHAS%20HK%2040%20EDISI%20KEDUA.pdf |access-date=2024-08-22 |work=Pelita Brunei |pages=13 |language=ms}}

Architecture

The centre consists of the main gallery, basketball court, beach soccer pit, big top, classroom, conference room, playground, science lab and theater.{{cite web|url=http://www.ogdcbrunei.com/page-14/|date=2018|title=Facilities|website=Oil and Gas Discovery Centre|accessdate=22 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222165301/http://www.ogdcbrunei.com/page-14/|archive-date=22 February 2018|url-status=dead}}

Exhibition

There are six exhibitions at SEL, which include Oil and Gas, Future Energy, Aqualab, Smart Science, Maker Space, and Exhibition Trials.{{Cite web |title=Exhibitions |url=https://seriaenergylab.com/exhibition/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Seria Energy Lab |language=en-US}} In addition to these, there are several outdoor exhibits, such as:

  • The BSP locomotive, known as 'Loko' in the past, was built around 1950. This was the only land-based transport vehicle that carried passengers from Badas to Lorong Dua, Seria, as there were no road facilities at the time. It was previously located at the Pengkalan Sungai Mau Community Hall area. The entire structure was made of steel. This train's engine was used by BSP for both company operations and for the local population in the Labi, Bukit Sawat, and Badas areas. Previously, the head and parts of this locomotive were stored and left abandoned in the timber mill area. Then, around 1990, the Belait District Officer Dani Ibrahim, and Ismail Opak made efforts to protect and preserve the locomotive, subsequently placing its parts in front of the hall in Sungai Mau.{{Sfn|Haji Adanan|2012|p=42–43}}
  • The oil drilling rig, used by BSP, was formerly located at the entrance to the Billionth Barrel Monument. The entire structure is made of steel. It was used by Brunei Shell Petroleum for the exploration and extraction of crude oil, starting from the initial search to the discovery of crude oil in the Labi and Kuala Belait areas.{{Sfn|Haji Adanan|2012|p=45–46}}

Gallery

File:Oil and Gas Discovery Centre.jpg|Oil and Gas Discovery Centre on 13 January 2018

File:Seria Energy Lab (2).jpg|Seria Energy Lab on 4 April 2021

File:Seria 14 July 2023 03.jpg|"I LOVE SERIA" sign

File:Seria 18 February 2023 01.jpg|Locomotive on display

File:Seria 18 February 2023 03.jpg|Pumpjack mechanism on display

File:Seria Energy Lab (3).jpg|Oil drilling rig on display

See also

References

{{reflist}}

  • {{Cite book |last=Haji Adanan Haji Abd. Latiff |title=Kenali Negara Kitani: Tempat-Tempat Eksotik |publisher=Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka |year=2012 |isbn=978-99917-0-855-3 |location=Bandar Seri Begawan |language=ms |ref={{Harvid|Haji Adanan|2012}}}}