University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD) in collaboration with Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), held the 2024 Petroleum Energy Forum (PEF) at the Chancellor Hall, UBD on 1st February 2024.
The one-day forum with the theme “Bridging the Oil and Gas Industry’s Legacy to the Challenging Energy Landscape” aimed to introduce and raise awareness on the significance of the current energy industry to students from secondary and higher education institutions in Brunei. The event also provided students the opportunity to learn more on Petroleum Engineering as a career for both current and future energy landscape directly from industry professionals.
Dr Hazri Haji Kifle, UBD Vice-Chancellor officiated the forum as the Guest of Honour. Also in attendance during the ceremony was Erik Legius, BSP Technical Director.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr Hazri highlighted that this year’s theme reflected the importance of a proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by the evolving energy landscape. “It encourages a forward-looking perspective to find solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.,” he said. “The oil and gas sector needs to evolve, adapt, innovate, and transform to meet the demands of the changing times, which may include incorporating sustainable practices, adopting new technologies, and diversifying energy portfolios.”
The Vice-Chancellor added, “Research activities by undergraduate and graduate programmes in UBD that align with the energy sector have been carefully curated to incorporate new ideas and technologies for the future sustainable energy industry.”
The launching ceremony featured Keynote speeches from Erik Legius, BSP Technical Director; Michael Lampp, BSP Head of Environmental Affairs; Haji Idris Haji Jaafar, BSP Decommissioning and Restoration Manager; and Dr Haji Abdul Hanif Dato Paduka Haji Mahadi, Director of the Centre for Advanced Material and Energy Sciences (CAMES).
Started in 2018, the Petroleum Energy Forum has collaborated with higher educational institutions to showcase the technical studies and advanced technologies used in Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences which contribute to the safe exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the Sultanate, aligning to the objectives of Wawasan 2035 to accomplish a well-educated highly skilled individuals, while also driving the development and growth of Brunei Darussalam of which would further provide high quality of life to the people and achieve dynamic and sustainable economy.