Seria: The Heart of Brunei's Oil Heritage

• HelloHalo
  [ha-loh]
• GoodbyeSelamat tinggal
  [seh-la-maht ting-gahl]
• YesYa
  [yah]
• NoTidak
  [tee-dahk]
• Please/You're welcomeSila
  [see-lah]
• Thank youTerima kasih
  [teh-ree-mah kah-see]
• Excuse me/SorryMaaf
  [mah-ahf]
• How are you?Apa khabar?
  [ah-pah kah-bahr]
• Fine. And you?Baik. Dan awda?
  [bah-eek. dahn ow-dah]
• Do you speak English?Awda boleh bercakap Bahasa Inggeris?
  [ow-dah boh-leh ber-chah-kahp bah-hah-sah ing-geh-rees]
• I don't understandSaya tidak faham
  [sah-yah tee-dahk fah-hahm]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseSaya mahu melihat menu, sila
  [sah-yah mah-who meh-lee-haht meh-noo, see-lah]
• I don't eat meatSaya tidak makan daging
  [sah-yah tee-dahk mah-kahn dah-yahng]
• Cheers!Sihat!
  [see-haht]
• I would like to pay, pleaseSaya mahu membayar, sila
  [sah-yah mah-who mem-bah-yahr, see-lah]

• Help!Tolong!
  [toh-lohng]
• Go away!Pergi jauh-jauh!
  [pehr-gee jah-oo-jah-oo]
• Call the Police!Panggil polis!
  [pahng-geel poh-lees]
• Call a doctor!Panggil doktor!
  [pahng-geel dohk-tohr]
• I'm lostSaya sesat
  [sah-yah seh-saht]
• I'm illSaya sakit
  [sah-yah sah-keet]

• I'd like to buy...Saya ingin membeli...
  [sah-yah een-geen mem-buh-lee]
• I'm just lookingSaya hanya melihat
  [sah-yah hahn-yah meh-lee-haht]
• How much is it?Berapa harganya?
  [beh-rah-pah har-gahn-yah]
• That's too expensiveItu terlalu mahal
  [ee-too tehr-lah-loo mah-hahl]
• Can you lower the price?Bolehkah awda turunkan harga?
  [boh-leh-kah ow-dah too-roon-kahn har-gah]

• What time is it?Pukul berapa sekarang?
  [poo-kool beh-rah-pah seh-kah-rahn]
• It's one o'clockPukul satu
  [poo-kool sah-too]
• Half past (10)Setengah (sepuluh)
  [seh-teh-ngah (seh-poo-loo)]
• MorningPagi
  [pah-gee]
• AfternoonPetang
  [peh-tahng]
• EveningMalam
  [mah-lahm]
• YesterdaySemalam
  [seh-mah-lahm]
• TodayHari ini
  [hah-ree ee-nee]
• TomorrowEsok
  [eh-sohk]
• 1Satu
  [sah-too]
• 2Dua
  [doo-ah]
• 3Tiga
  [tee-gah]
• 4Empat
  [em-paht]
• 5Lima
  [lee-mah]
• 6Enam
  [eh-nahm]
• 7Tujuh
  [too-joo]
• 8Lapan
  [lah-pahn]
• 9Sembilan
  [sehm-bee-lahn]
• 10Sepuluh
  [seh-poo-loo]

• Where's a/the...?Di mana...
  [dee mah-nah]
• What's the address?Alamatnya di mana?
  [ah-lah-mah-nyah dee mah-nah]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Bolehkah awda tunjukkan pada saya (di peta)?
  [boh-leh-kah ow-dah toon-jook-kahn pah-dah sah-yah (dee peh-tah)]
• When's the next (bus)?Bila bas seterusnya?
  [bee-lah bahs se-teh-roos-nyah]
• A ticket (to ....)Satu tiket (ke ....)
  [sah-too tee-keht (keh ....)]

In 1929, oil was discovered in Seria by the British Malayan Petroleum Company (BMPC), a subsidiary of Shell. This discovery marked the beginning of Brunei's transformation into a wealthy nation. The first successful well, known as Seria-1, was drilled to a depth of 974 feet and produced a significant amount of oil, forever changing the economic landscape of Brunei.

Following the discovery of oil, the Seria Oilfield rapidly developed into a major production site. By the 1940s, Seria had hundreds of wells, and the town became the heart of Brunei's oil industry. The influx of workers from various parts of the world contributed to the town’s cultural diversity and growth.

During World War II, Seria was occupied by Japanese forces from 1941 to 1945. The oil facilities were heavily damaged to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Post-war, the British quickly moved to restore the oil production capabilities, leading to a period of rapid reconstruction and modernization in Seria.

In the 1970s, Brunei began the process of nationalizing its oil and gas industry. The Brunei National Petroleum Company (PetroleumBRUNEI) was established to oversee the sector. This shift allowed Brunei to have greater control over its natural resources and significantly increased national revenues, which were used for social development.

Seria is a melting pot of cultures due to its history as an oil town attracting workers and their families from around the world. This diversity is reflected in the town’s vibrant community life, with various cultural festivals, cuisines, and languages contributing to its unique character.

In 1991, the Billionth Barrel Monument was erected to celebrate the production of the billionth barrel of oil from the Seria Oilfield. This iconic structure symbolizes the town's historical and economic significance to Brunei and stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the oil industry in Seria.

Today, Seria continues to be a pivotal town in Brunei’s oil industry, with ongoing exploration and production activities. The town has grown into a well-developed area, featuring modern amenities and infrastructure while maintaining its historical roots and cultural diversity.

Seria is located in the Belait District of Brunei. The nearest international airport is Brunei International Airport in Bandar Seri Begawan, which is approximately 100 kilometers away. From the airport, you can take a taxi or rent a car for the journey to Seria. There are also bus services that connect Bandar Seri Begawan to Seria, although they may be less frequent. The drive typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours along the coastal highway, offering scenic views of the South China Sea.

Seria is a small town, making it easy to navigate on foot. For longer trips within the town or to nearby areas, taxis are a convenient option. Car rental services are available and can be a practical choice for exploring at your own pace. There are also local buses that operate within Seria and connect to other towns in the Belait District. Be aware that public transportation schedules may be limited, so planning ahead is advisable.

The official currency in Brunei is the Brunei Dollar (BND), which is interchangeable with the Singapore Dollar (SGD). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger stores in Seria. However, it is a good idea to carry some cash for smaller establishments and local markets. ATMs are available in Seria, and you can withdraw cash using international credit and debit cards.

Seria is generally a safe destination for tourists, with low crime rates. Nonetheless, it is advisable to take standard precautions such as avoiding walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded places. There are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, but staying vigilant and aware of your surroundings is always recommended.

In case of emergency, dial 993 for police assistance and 991 for medical emergencies. The nearest hospital is the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Kuala Belait, around 15 kilometers away from Seria. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are several pharmacies in Seria where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, as Brunei is a conservative country. Avoid wearing revealing clothing, especially in public places. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. When visiting mosques, remove your shoes and cover your head if you are a woman. Public Transport: Do be respectful and courteous. Avoid loud conversations and respect seating arrangements. Greetings: Do greet people with a smile and a nod. Handshakes are common but use the right hand only. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes and beverages. However, don't eat or drink in public during the fasting month of Ramadan, as it is considered disrespectful.

To experience Seria like a local, visit the local markets and food stalls where you can sample traditional Bruneian snacks and dishes. Engage with locals, who are generally friendly and willing to share insights about their culture and history. Don't miss visiting the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre, which provides fascinating insights into the region's oil industry. For a leisurely experience, take a stroll along the Seria Energy Lab (SEL) park, a popular spot for families and fitness enthusiasts.