| The most important event, perhaps, in the economic industry of took place in 1929 in the town of Seria when oil was discovered by the exploration well S-1. The first well not only heralded the birth of the Seria oilfield, but the birth of the oil industry in Brunei Darussalam.
Sixty two years later, in 1991, was a historic moment for Brunei Darussalam's oil industry. It was the year, Brunei Shell extracted the billionth barrel of oil from the rich Seria field.
Brunei Shell Petroleum commissioned a monument to mark the Billionth Barrel in Seria oilfield to a local architect, Akitek Idris, for the design. The monument was erected near the seawall close to the site of the first well, S-1.
The formal approach to the monument is through straight rows of trees leading from an arched entrance. The series of windbreaks, that have protected the young saplings from the destructive sea winds, have also been designed to blend in with the overall design concept. The design of the arches serves to remind visitors that they are entering an Islamic environment and the floor beneath is laid with tiles with an Islamic pattern. The monument is just a 5-minute drive from the town centre.
© Brunei Shell Group of Companies
Original text researched and written by Nick wood . Text updated in 1996 by Haji Hussin bin Ahmad, re-researched and updated in 2000 by Hans Dols
Getting There:
The monument is on the same road as the Shell Learning Centre just off the main Seria road. Turn off the main road at the mini roundabout (right if coming from Seria) and you will see the monument ahead. |
Belait