Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd (Brunei LNG), made history as the first company in the Western Pacific to begin large-scale liquefaction of natural gas when it was established back in 1969. Brunei LNG is one of the leading suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), primarily supplying LNG to customers in the Asian region. To date, Brunei LNG has delivered more than approximately 7,500 cargoes via four LNG vessels owned by Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd.
Brunei LNG’s 130-hectare plant has five liquefaction trains capable of processing 9,700m3 of gas per day, with natural gas supplied by Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) and Block B Joint Venture (BBJV) comprising of Total E&P Borneo BV, Shell, and Petroleum Brunei. Brunei LNG is also the current sole producer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Brunei Darussalam, as a byproduct of LNG for domestic sales by Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd.
As a 54-year-old asset, Brunei LNG carries out continuous rejuvenation works to ensure the plant is continuously upgraded, keeping in line with safety standards and extending its lifetime while still maximising gas intake from its gas suppliers into the plant and delivering to its customers.
As the world transitions to a low-carbon and climate resilient future, Brunei LNG is committed to being a sustainable and responsible energy partner together with Brunei Darussalam in the global journey towards energy transition. LNG is the natural partner for renewables and bridging fuel in the energy transition journey, especially in compensating for dips in solar or wind power.
Creating a diverse, inclusive and skilled workforce
Brunei LNG stands as a cornerstone of the nation’s economy for the past five decades, unwavering in its commitment to propel Brunei towards Vision 2035. The company has strategically outlined long-term initiatives to bolster the presence of local Bruneians in key positions, fostering their competencies and increasing participation in local businesses.
At the heart of Brunei LNG’s success are its people—the driving force behind operational excellence and the core strength of the company. Committed to the Bruneianisation Directive, Brunei LNG has achieved 90 per cent Bruneianisation rate, with a workforce of over 700 directly employed individuals.
In alignment with the company’s dedication to youth development, Brunei LNG spearheads programmes like the Operative Technicians Progression Scheme and Graduate Development Programme. These initiatives aim to empower individuals to reach their full potential, contributing to a skilled and productive workforce capable of meeting the nation’s manpower requirements. In 2023 alone, Brunei LNG welcomed four graduates, two Operative Technicians under the Operative Technician Progression Scheme (OTPS), and one Laboratory Technician under the Laboratory Technician Progression Scheme (LTPS).
Embracing diversity and inclusivity, Brunei LNG provides equal opportunities for all Bruneians. The company’s approach to diversity extends beyond gender to include factors such as age, race, religion, and culture. Notably, one in three Brunei LNG employees is female, showcasing a balanced representation across technical and non-technical roles within the organisation.
Investing in Brunei’s Tomorrow
Brunei LNG steadfastly supports the nurturing and empowerment of the future generation through a dedicated focus on education, a commitment echoed in the core theme of its Social Investment strategy: Education and Youth Empowerment. Central to this commitment is the promotion of STEM disciplines—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics— enriching the talent funnel and actively contributing to shaping a brighter future for the nation.
Each year, Brunei LNG recognises and awards exceptional students in the fields of Science, Technology, and Engineering, further demonstrating its commitment to nurturing a talented and innovative future generation.
For the past 18 years, Brunei LNG has been the main sponsor and co-organiser of the biennial Crown Prince Creative, Innovative Product and Technology Advancement (CIPTA) Awards in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB). These awards, centred on ‘Creative, Innovative Product and Technological Advancement,’ aim to inspire youth, fostering creativity, innovation, and technological advancement. This aligns with Brunei LNG’s commitment to promoting science, engineering, and technology in Brunei Darussalam and the ASEAN region.
Brunei LNG’s participation in the UTB Convocation 2023, in addition to its sponsorship of UTB Excellence Award Ceremony 2023 and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Medal and Book Prize Awards Ceremony, is testament to its c ommitment to supporting educational milestones and promoting academic excellence.
The sponsorship of the Future Leaders Academy (FLY) further underscores Brunei LNG’s commitment to developing future leaders. Through involvement in the programme, the company provides top students with knowledge and skills, preparing them for leadership roles. Beyond sponsorship, Brunei LNG’s leadership team shares valuable insights on leadership and values with FLY participants, emphasising the importance of core values and effective leadership principles.
In fostering climate awareness, Brunei LNG collaborates with BigBWN to conduct outreach programmes on Climate Change and Environmental Education. These programmes aim to raise awareness of climate change and encourage student involvement in environmental conservation, demonstrating Brunei LNG’s commitment to nurturing environmentally conscious future leaders.
Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Brunei LNG initiated EmployAbility, a flagship programme sponsored by the preceding Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib, strategically partnering with business partners Adinin Works and Engineering Sdn Bhd, Tendrill International Sdn Bhd, Zainal Daud Sdn Bhd, and Exceltech Solutions Sdn Bhd. EmployAbility focuses on increasing employment and enhancing the capabilities of the local Bruneian workforce, aligning with Brunei Vision 2035.
In September 2023, Brunei LNG celebrated the graduation ceremony of the second EmployAbility intake, graced by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah. The ceremony celebrated the graduation of Brunei LNG’s first female in-service trainee, Norain binti Haji Othman, highlighting the company’s commitment to promoting fairness and equality within the industry.
Expanding on these values, Brunei LNG proudly launched EmployAbility Enabled during the same event. This programme, an extension of EmployAbility, provides opportunities for individuals with different abilities to gain work experience, upskill, and secure meaningful employment, focusing on non-technical disciplines. The ceremony also featured the signing of letters of intent with SMARTER Brunei and UnikLearn, marking a significant step toward a more inclusive and empowered workforce.
This transformative journey toward inclusion and empowerment, rooted in Brunei LNG’s commitment to diversity, epitomises the values of EmployAbility and EmployAbility Enabled. With partners SMARTER Brunei and UnikLearn, Brunei LNG is taking strides toward a future where opportunities are limitless, aligning with the broader national vision of Brunei Vision 2035.
LNG Industry Innovator
The long history of the LNG industry in Brunei is a proud story of the country and its people under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al- Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. In the 1960s, Brunei embarked on an ambitious joint venture with Shell Overseas Holdings Limited and Mitsubishi Corporation to begin largescale liquefaction and transportation of natural gas following the discovery of gas reserves in the country’s waters.
The Brunei LNG Plant construction in Lumut was completed in 1972, thrusting Brunei’s name in the world as the first LNG project in Asia and the third largest LNG plant at the time. Shortly thereafter Brunei LNG delivered its first LNG cargo to Osaka Gas in Japan by the vessel SS Gadinia to the Senboku Terminal No 1.
His Majesty officially opened the plant on April 4, 1973. In a titah, His Majesty hoped the plant would bring prosperity to the country, having always believed that such enterprises would contribute significantly towards Brunei’s development, particularly in the aspect of economy and the standard of living. His Majesty also highlighted the importance of locals being a part of the LNG industry.
Brunei LNG manages a robust customer portfolio ranging from end users, portfolio players and traders. As the business develops, Brunei LNG continues to diversify, grow and expand its contractual reach, from its traditional regions to emerging markets.
As the world seeks to diversify its energy mix and looks for cleaner ways to power growing economies, Brunei LNG’s role as a safe and reliable regional supplier in the Asia Pacific region continues to provide secure and affordable energy solutions where they are needed most.
Navigating Change: Brunei LNG’s Role
Brunei LNG, a prominent producer and distributor of LNG, which is the cleanest fossil fuel, recognises its integral role in global decarbonisation efforts. Aligned with the Brunei government’s vision for a low-carbon, climate-resilient nation via the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP), Brunei LNG extends its sustainability initiatives beyond responsible LNG production. With a commitment to shifting 10 per cent of its power generation capacity to renewables post-2025, the company actively seeks opportunities for emissions avoidance.
This commitment to environmental stewardship also involves community engagement, exemplified by initiatives such as tree planting and the Brunei LNG Eco Eagles programme. In 2023 alone, over 428 trees were planted, adhering to the Green Protocol under the BNCCP. Collaborating with Green Brunei, the company has contributed to the nation’s goal of planting 500,000 new trees by 2035, shaping a more sustainable future for Brunei Darussalam and increasing the nation’s carbon sink.
In addressing marine pollution, Brunei LNG organised coastal cleanup campaigns with Green Brunei at Pantai Sungai Liang Beach and Danau Beach, collecting over 1,500 kilogrammes of trash in 2023. These initiatives raise awareness about the harmful effects of marine debris on ecosystems and promote responsible waste disposal practices, contributing to the preservation of Brunei Darussalam’s marine environment and the well-being of marine life.
Charting tomorrow and mapping future trajectories
Similar to its pioneering roots in the LNG space, Brunei LNG is leading the way in digitalisation, with engineers proactively monitoring the plant and optimising processes through data analysis. Brunei LNG has already delivered additional millions to the company’s bottom line by designing a plant that is constantly seeking more gas from its upstream suppliers. This automated feed system operates 24/7, ensuring that all available gas to the plant is liquefied.
In the journey of its continued pursuit of a fully featured plant digital twin (a digital replica of its plant), as of the end of 2023, Brunei LNG has successfully completed surface laser scans of 20 per cent of its asset, including a full plant drone laser scan. The resultant created 3D models have successfully streamlined its work planning processes and improved Brunei LNG’s ability to optimise its maintenance activities. Traditionally, Brunei LNG relied on 2D drawings, and the shift to 3D models has significantly boosted productivity, prompting its commitment to using them for future activities. Moreover, the adoption of 3D models has reduced the need to perform physical site visits in low-risk activity scenarios, allowing decisions to be made timely.
As the first-ever pilot among all Shell Joint Venture Assets to use laser scan technology with Autonomous Integrity Recognition (AIR) technology, Brunei LNG is revolutionising corrosion detection. AIR technology gives industrial equipment the ability to “see’’ what it is doing and make rapid decisions based on what it sees—in simple terms, putting a brain behind a camera. Using this technology, and comparing it against traditional manual field inspection, results in a reduction of over 90 per cent of field hours and consequently in HSE exposure. It also increases site visibility coverage by 30 per cent, reaching tough-to-see areas that human eyes may miss. It is one of the many ways Brunei LNG is transforming and digitising itself, improving safety, reliability, and efficiency.
Additionally, the collaborative installation of 4G mobile signal boosting hardware on the Department of Electrical Services (DES) Lumut telecommunication tower (adjacent to Brunei LNG), in partnership with Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN), DES, and the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, has strengthened the mobile signals in Brunei LNG’s work site, to as far out as the end of its four-kilometre long LNG loading jetty. This has paved the way for many IoT (Internet of things) applications in Brunei LNG for many years to come.
A great example is the use of its Digital Smart Helmet, allowing operators in the plant to make voice and video calls with others remotely, including externally located vendors and subject matter experts who are not physically on-site. In August 2023, Brunei LNG project team successfully performed a remote field site survey with an externally located vendor using the Digital Smart Helmet.
The vendor, located in Singapore, in collaboration with the local project team, was able to execute the required work task through voice and video calls, enabling the local team to move the project forward as planned, resulting in the saving of both time and mobilisation costs, while minimising HSSE site exposure to people.
Investing in digital capability, Brunei LNG is actively upskilling local Bruneians to be digitally savvy and digitally literate creating a highly skilled workforce ready for the future of work, aligning with its commitment to building a highly skilled workforce. An objective for accelerating digitalisation is to allow early efficiency gains and consequently support cost management and bottom-line, thereby contributing towards Brunei Vision 2035 goals of a dynamic and sustainable economy.
In the past three years Brunei LNG has contributed an average of over BND1 billion annually to the Brunei economy, reinforcing its role as a competitive and reliable business. The commitment to sustainability aligns with Brunei LNG’s vision of being a reliable, sustainable, and competitive energy partner, propelling Brunei towards a dynamic and sustainable economy.
As a business and as a Bruneian company, Brunei LNG is committed to transform as a business, sustain its operations, and continue to be a key contributor to the nation’s economy. An engine of growth for the country, Brunei LNG is invested to continuously generate revenue to power the progress of sustainability efforts in Brunei Darussalam. Brunei LNG together with its shareholders are looking to the future, transforming the business to achieve Brunei LNG’s vision of being a reliable, sustainable, and competitive energy partner and an anchor to the future of Brunei.
