Izah Azahari
Experts in the energy sector met at a one-day symposium held in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2022 (Brunei MYCE 2022) Energy Week yesterday.
The ‘Energy Symposium’ was organised by the Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam (PA).
Deputy Minister of the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw was the guest of honour.
Permanent Secretary at the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office and Interim Managing Director of PA Haji Azhar bin Haji Yahya said the symposium hoped to provide an avenue for multi-disciplined professionals and technical experts to share views and perspectives as well as to work together to contribute to society.
He said the symposium topics are relevant to the shifting energy landscape; its challenges and opportunities; and positive adaptation to the change.
He said the theme of this year’s Energy Week ‘Energy Security and Energy Transition: Today and Tomorrow’ could not be more apt to the current setting of the energy industry.
“Today we are fortunate to be able to get insights from our distinguished speakers to address approaches in shaping the new reality of the energy sector, evolving innovations in remaining resilient to adverse changes, opportunities to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and integrate new technologies, and strategies in gearing up the workforce to be industry-ready to further develop the industry,” said Haji Azhar.
He said the insights of the expert panellists are valuable in improving the industry and supporting the energy roadmap for the Sultanate, particularly in balancing the internal growing demand for energy, with the need for sustainable living and mitigating climate change.
“This presents the need for Brunei Darussalam to pace its energy sector’s growth with the energy transition agenda in mind, towards a low-carbon future,” he added.
The Energy Symposium had four sessions – CEO Dialogue on Future Energy Sectors in Brunei Darussalam, Resilience to the New Norm, Venturing to Energy Transition and Gearing Up Locals for Employment Opportunities in the Energy Sector.
The speakers discussed and share views on how to shape the new future of the oil and gas industry in the Sultanate including digital transformation, energy transitions, local employment opportunities as well as challenges faced by the oil and gas sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symposium was attended by government agencies, oil and gas operators, service providers as well as higher education institutions both in person and through online platforms.
Some 230 participants joined, including Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, senior government officials, directors and officers from private and public sectors.
Since the first commercial oil production in 1929, the oil and gas industry in Brunei Darussalam has seen major developments and contributed significantly to the country’s economy.
The oil and gas industry employs more than 19,000 Bruneians while contributing 60 per cent to the local content of goods and services produced in the country.
With advancements in technology, investment and effort are made to increase recovery from the existing oil and gas fields, while guidelines and regulation being enforced to achieve a sustainable oil and gas production.
