Tucked in a small building in Seria, a silent but critical operation unfolds within the Production Chemistry Lab department.

It’s a time-consuming job that can begin as early as dawn, which need multiple assessments, and change of hands – all that are required to produce detailed reports that provide vital insights for Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP).

The Production Chemistry Lab is responsible for delivering expertise to BSP’s production, providing analytical capabilities for samples that can take many forms, from something as thick as mud, or as light as water.

But what does it really take to turn a sample into a solution?

This is the story of a sample’s journey from the field to the final report, told by the people who make it happen.

We spoke with lab technicians Farah and Aqilah, along with laboratory leads Stephanie and Khalil, to get a firsthand look at this (mostly) hidden side to the Oil and Gas industry.

The Morning Rush

The journey begins at the crack of dawn.

Operators from across the business, may it be offshore or onshore, are depositing samples at the Lab as early as 5 in the morning.

For Aqilah and Farah, this means inspecting the submissions as soon as they arrive at work.

Soon after, the samples would move from the outside world into the highly controlled environment of the lab.

The specific path a sample takes depends on its nature and the requested tests.

Which is why the Production Chemistry Lab houses four specialised laboratories: the Oil Lab, Gas Lab, Water & Environmental Lab, and Fluid and Solid Lab.

Fig. 1 Analysis Request Workflow

Evolution of Technology

Alongside the expert hands that guide them, technology plays an important role in the analysis of samples.

For gas and liquid samples, Gas Chromatography (GC) fingerprinting machines analyse molecular composition. Apart from being able to identify the makeup of the sample, it can also cross-check against pre-existing data which goes all the way back to the 1980s – which can greatly save time in identifying source of substance.

For solid samples, the X-ray fluorescent (XRF) analyzer is a game changer.

Farah remembers the past challenges of solid deposit analysis. "We used to spend hours extracting liquid from solids just to analyse the elemental composition," she recalls. "Now, with the XRF, we simply place the sample in a cup, and it gives us the full breakdown in minutes. That’s five hours of technician time saved per sample!"

Samples might also go through other machines to measure properties like density, viscosity, or other chemical and physical properties. All these machines are meticulously maintained to uphold ISO17025 accreditation, an international standard that guarantees the lab adhere to the stringent guideline to assure quality outputs.

But not all samples are made the same, and the journey is never linear.

"In some cases, a sample might start in the Fluid and Solid Lab for initial analysis but then need to be passed on to the Water Lab for a different set of tests," says Aqilah. This requires a seamless handover, with each lab adding a new chapter to the sample’s story.

This collaboration and the rigorous process behind it are key reasons the average turnaround time for a complete report is 14 working days, although some reports can be completed in a single day.

Once all the tests are complete, the team would move on to compilation and reporting. The technicians’ work isn’t done until they have meticulously reviewed the data, cross-referenced results, and compiled it into a clear, comprehensive report. This document is the finale of the sample’s entire journey—from the field to the lab—and is the valuable end-product that will be used to make informed decisions.

The All-Rounder Orang Kitani

While the lab boasts complex and advanced machineries, at the heart of the operations are still the people. The Production Chemistry Lab is home to 15 local talents coming from different backgrounds.

For Stephanie, Laboratory Team Lead, she makes it a priority to ensure the team is well-equipped with the necessary skills.

"We don't just have specialists; we have all-rounders," explains Stephanie. "Everyone in each lab understands the critical processes, the machinery, and the workflows. If one person is absent, the show still goes on." This "multi-skill" development approach also reinforce business continuity.

Khalil, Laboratory Unit Lead, adds that "complacency is not a word you'd hear in our labs," expressing the team's proactive attitude toward closing any competency gaps.

The sentiment is echoed by Aqilah, who was a graduate from Politeknik Brunei. “I feel at home at the lab – it’s a privilege to be able to practice what I learned from school," she says. "The lab environment has never felt alien to me, which is why I'm now in my sixth year here."

Farah also reflected on her 15-year career journey. When she graduated from Maktab Teknik Sultan Saiful Rizal (now known as IBTE Saiful Rizal) with a National Diploma, she never expected to carry on learning throughout the years.

"All my lab experience and knowledge were gained on the job," she explains. "There's a constant opportunity to develop, not just across the four labs, but even in field assignments like my time as a Lab technician at Champion 7. Learning never stops, proving that your qualification on paper doesn't limit your potential."

On May 7, 2024, BSP held a groundbreaking ceremony to begin works on the expansion of its current Solar plant at G11 site Jalan Tengah, Seria. 

Present at the event was Yang Mulia Agnete Johnsgaard-Lewis, BSP Managing Director and Shell Country Chair Brunei Darussalam; Yang Mulia Michel Maistre, BSP Asset Director; Yang Mulia Mohammad Sufri Haji Sulaiman, BSP Onshore Asset Manager; and Yang Mulia Voon Oi Mee, BSP Head of Projects. 

In her welcoming remarks, Agnete spoke about strengthening BSP’s focus in reducing carbon emissions for the sustainability of BSP’s operations, while simultaneously developing a pool of local competencies in Solar PV. 

She continued, “We also will be making progress in developing local capabilities as we have partnered with a Bruneian company to design and construct the solar PV plant”. 

To bless the event, the ceremony began with Doa Kesyukuran led by Yang Mulia Haji Eddy Suhardee Yusof, BSP’s Construction HSE Advisor, followed by the ceremonial ground-breaking led by Agnete and the Project Team. 

The Solar plant expansion builds on the success of the 3.3 MWp BSP solar plant constructed in 2021. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2025 and will house an additional ~6,000 Solar PV panels that have a 3.0 MWp capacity overall. The expansion will incorporate lessons from the Flagship Solar HQ plant such as improved accessibility and maintenance of the plant to ensure efficient operations. 

At the same time, BSP has taken the opportunity to support the development of local technical skills in Solar PV by utilising the progress of the solar plant as a learning platform for students at the Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) to develop its Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Electrician module. 

During the solar plant development, BSP will also be inviting educators from the local institute to obtain first-hand experience in the Solar plant design and construction, with the goal of developing real-world learning materials for their students. 

The ground-breaking ceremony marks another milestone for BSP and is a testament to the company's commitment towards Sustainably Powering Brunei. 

On April 29, 2024, the Cenderawasih Hall at the Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC) had over 100 attendees gathered for the launch of the ICV (In-Country Value) Reporting System. Officiated by Hj Zulazrin Hj Mohidin, BSP's Finance Director, the event marked a significant milestone in promoting local business development in Brunei.  

Developed by a local Bruneian company, Pixelated Enterprise, the ICV Reporting System is a user-friendly web platform designed for Brunei Shell Joint Venture (BSJV) Business Partners to manage and submit their Local Business Development (LBD) data, including Local Employment, Local Content, and Local Recruitment. The project, which began in May 2023, has been fully operational since April 2024, serving as the primary platform for LBD reporting. 

In her opening remarks, Noreliza Omar, BSP Supply Chain Manager, emphasised the importance of transparency and efficiency in local business practices. She explained that the ICV Reporting System aims to serve as a central repository for LBD reporting for BSP’s Business Partners, providing real-time updates and streamlining the reporting process. The system enables faster processing times with fewer errors, ultimately offering higher data quality and integrity. Noreliza highlighted that the system serves as a single point of truth for LBD reporting and analysis, facilitating manpower development across BSJV through a centralised, on-the-go dashboard. 

ICV Reporting System Demo by Pixelated Enterprise 

Following the official launch, Izzuddin Hussin, Managing Director of Pixelated Enterprise, took the stage to demonstrate the ICV Reporting System. His presentation showcased the platform’s intuitive interface and functionality, guiding attendees through the process of managing and submitting LBD data. Izzuddin highlighted the system’s features, including its security measures, such as Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), which adds an extra layer of protection for users. 

Booth Sessions and Networking Opportunities 

After the demonstration, attendees engaged in booth sessions featuring representatives from Pixelated Enterprise, the SCM/1 ICV Reporting team, and the SCM/6 Vendor Master team. The session provided an excellent opportunity for participants to ask questions, gain insights into the system, and discuss best practices for its effective use. 

The launch of the ICV Reporting System marks a significant step forward for BSJV and its Business Partners, reinforcing the commitments to local business engagement and accountability while leveraging off automation and digitalisation to increase efficiency and data reliability. The booth sessions, alongside ICV Reporting System demo, fostered networking and collaboration, showcasing the innovative spirit of Bruneian companies, and paving the way for a brighter economic future.