Brunei energy sector looks forward to global recovery

Cheerful: Brunei Shell Petroleum workers stationed at Champion 7 wave to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam upon departure after touring the platform during the 80th anniversary of the oil company. There is an increase in energy demand, said the managing director of Brunei LNG, which buys 90% of its gas from BSP.

BRUNEI'S oil and gas sector is brimming with optimism for a sustained global economic recovery and with it an increase in energy demand.

"We do hope that the worst of the crisis is over. What the prices (of oil) and the future hold for the oil and gas industry is hard to predict, but we are experiencing a positive increase in energy demand," said Hj Salleh Bostaman Hj Zainal Abidin, managing director of Brunei LNG, on the occasion of Brunei Shell Petroleum's 80th anniversary.

BLNG, which sources 90 per cent of its gas from BSP, will also be celebrating its 40 years of establishment.

"After 40 years of working closely with BSP, Brunei LNG values the relationship with BSP and looks forward to another 40 years and beyond," said Hj Salleh Bostaman.

BLNG remains optimistic that the global economy will recover, he said. "Should economic recovery happen, that will also mean an increase in energy demand, which we hope."

Global oil prices reached US$137.11 a barrel in the first week of July 2008 at the peak of the financial crisis. It dropped to US$34.57 a barrel in the first week of January this year. Recently world oil prices rose on the back of a weaker US dollar, as traders awaited the weekly energy inventories report and the latest reading on economic output in the United States, analysts said. Currently, the oil prices now stand at US$67.71 per barrel.

"BSP currently supplies 90 per cent of gas to BLNG and our collaboration has allowed us to deliver gas to Japan and Korea. We have a contract volume for 20 years but we also deliver contract volume and opportunities to spot markets (markets with no contract)," he said. "BSP's 80 years is a tremendous achievement with their collaboration with the government," he said.

Hj Salleh Bostaman added that future prospects for the workforce of Brunei LNG will be to maximise the contribution of the local workforce. "BLNG is 95 per cent Bruneian and we will continue to recruit capable Bruneians," he said. He added that the company is also encouraging Bruneian contractors to increase their Bruneian content.

"At the moment we are liaising with various local agencies to ask them to encourage local contractors who are working for BLNG to ensure this

Mercedes-Benz CLK is numero uno in customer satisfaction

THERE is no automobile that satisfies its owners more than the Mercedes-Benz CLK. This is shown by a major survey on customer satisfaction among car buyers conducted by the world-famous J D Power Index.

In this study, the first place in the luxury class was taken by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. At the same time the business saloon was given a silver award for outstanding test results by the motoring magazine Auto Test. Germany's most satisfied car drivers therefore sit at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz.

Customers are the people who know a product best—this is the working principle of the globally active market research organisation J D Power, founded in 1968 and based in Los Angeles, which regularly examines the satisfaction levels of automobile owners.

For the 2009 J D Power Report, it conducted a first-time online survey of 16,425 car drivers in Germany to record their experiences with their car.

The respondents had to have owned their car for around two years and have covered around 30,000 kilometres with it. This meant that the experience gained over a total of almost 500 million kilometres could be assessed. The assessment criteria were quality/reliability, attractiveness, service and operating costs, enabling the strengths and weaknesses of the individual car models to be reliably recorded.

A 113 models divided into eight categories were considered in the 2009 report, which is seen as the definitive buyer's guide. First place in the overall ranking for all categories was taken by the Mercedes-Benz CLK, which also emerged the winner in the sports car ranking. In the luxury category, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (211 series) prevailed against the opposition and took first place in this ranking.

The results of the J D Power study were also taken into account when the motoring publication Auto Test decided the winners of its 2009 awards.

The decisions were also based on more than 500 tests and buyer reports by the magazine, as well as reliability studies by TUV Rhineland and Eurotax Schwacke.

Norhayati leaves Brunei to start on epic global journey

FRIENDS and relatives came to show their support to Norhayati, Brunei's very own world explorer, and her husband, Harun, yesterday at the Brunei International Airport, Berakas.

Also present was Brunei Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohammed who presented the Brunei national flag to the couple.

During an interview with The Brunei Times, Norhayati said that she and her husband will fly to Korea and then embark to Russia.

An old friend of Norhayati who bid farewell to her, Major (Rtd) Hjh Sopiah Hj Husaini, said that she was proud to see the courage portrayed by this explorer.

Norhayati and her husband is expected to finish her trip by October 2010.

Mind Quest holds 'Sprint Maths'

MIND QUEST (MQ) Tuition Berakas recently conducted its very first major activity called "Sprint Maths" successfully which was organised by Mathematics Department.

"Sprint Maths" consists of Mathematics questions in which participants have to work in groups and race to complete the tasks given in order to win. All the questions given were based on exam questions and some of the questions need to be done practically. Each group need to figure out "Brain Teaser's Questions" before they can obtain the next questions and clues.

The activity was held during the school break. It was led by Muhd Khairul Hidayatullah Hj Basir, mathematics tutor and assisted by two other mathematics tutors, Nur Afidah Abd Malik and Dk Siti Ayunni Pg Duraman, and some MQ staffs.

The objectives of the activity were to make the students understand the know how of applying Mathematics in real life.

"The common problem faced by us is that, our students are giving up easily with the mathematical problems without first making an attempt. To our surprise, while the activity was running, we could see that all the participants worked so hard, helped among each other as a team and never gave up until they sort out the answers," said one of the tutors.

"This sort of attitude is what we as tutors want to see in their studies in order for them to get good grades. The initiative and hardwork from the students is a 'key' to success. We received an encouraging number of participants from both MQ students and non-MQ students of different levels."

MQ will be conducting two more interesting activities in the following month such as "One Minute Challenge" and "Are You Smarter than Sixth Graders?".

KFC offers new exciting promotions

THERE is something new in town which is sure to tingle your taste buds. Regular patrons of the well-establish Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) family fast food restaurant will be surprised to try out the newly introduced "Cheezy Chickaroni".

The "Cheezy Chickaroni" is a dish added with macaroni and golden crisp chicken balls smothered in cheesy and exquisite rich romano parmesan sauce.

KFC also is introducing the "Fiery Crunch". Marketed as "Surprisingly Spicy", the chicken is marinated with mouth-watering spices and lime. Del Goh Marketing Manager of KFC stated that the "Fiery Crunch" is here for a limited time only.

Want to bring home a souvenir after an enjoyable family dinner at KFC, why not bring home an authentic KFC soap dispenser. By purchasing the Family Feast Meal combo A for $29 you will get one free soap dispenser and if you purchase the Combo B for $44 you will get two soap dispensers for free. The soap dispenser is also available ala carte at a price of $3.50. (MAN)

A family of four embraces Islam

WITH the recital of the Dua Kalimah Syahadah, a family of four from Kg Mumong in the Belait District yesterday officially converted to Islam in a ceremony celebrating their decision to embrace the religion.

According to a report by Radio Televisyen Brunei, RTB, 57-year-old Manap Jungan, now known as Mohd Muzzaffar Mohd Norjungan, led the conversion process by reciting the kalimah , followed by his 48-year-old wife who is now known as Siti Zuraini Abdullah Jing Kui. Their two children then followed suit.

Heading the conversion was an official from the Islamic Da'wah Centre Belait Branch, witnessed by Chief Belait District religious officer, Pg Hj Yunos Pg Hj Mohd Salleh.

After the recitation, the Dikir Marhaban and tossing of scented Bunga Rampai were performed to welcome the family into the Muslim fold, followed with a doa selamat to bless the event.

Travellers welcome Serasa to Menumbok car ferry service

FREQUENT travellers to neighbouring countries have commented that the new car ferry operation from Serasa to Menumbok, Sabah was an expedient project as it would cut down travel time and could prove cost-effective as well.

"It is a good idea that it was introduced, as previously people who travelled to Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) by land, would have to drive longer,"said Nazim Bakar, a government servant, adding that drivers also have to rush to every single checkpoint in order to make it on time.

He said the car ferry operation could also save travellers from spending money to buy petrol.Security-wise, Nazim commented, "With all due respect, I'm not saying that driving on the road to our neighbouring country is dangerous, but at least for the first three hours of our journey, we're safe from any possible crimes." He said that he would definitely try the new car ferry service once it is operational.

"At least it saves time," said a private sector employee who preferred to be known as Atiq.

She said that based on the experience shared by her colleagues and family members, the drive to Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu, has always been tiring, thus the service would be of help to frequent land travellers.

She added that the new service would enable travellers to spend less of their travel budget on car petrol, since drivers are now provided with a "shortcut".

"I believe that it will give opportunities and open another alternative route for international tourists to come visit our country," she said.

Another local who preferred anonymity commented that the introduction of the new car ferry service was a good idea as she could now travel in shorter time.

She said that although she does not travel to Sabah by land on a regular basis, the new service has given her the incentive to do so. "It's good news for us Sabahans who are working here as well as it will enable us to return home more often," said an expatriate from Sabah, Amelly Coates, who has been working in Brunei for the past six years.

Amelly said that she could now go back to Sabah to visit her family members over the weekend more often than before. Previously she could only be able to travel home about seven times in a year. "The journey via ferry will definitely save more time," she said.

Scheduled to be operational some time in October this year, the ferry service, which is expected to boost regional tourism, would reduce travel time between Sabah and Brunei to two hours from seven to eight hours by land.

The car ferry terminal project was one of the projects under the National Development Plan which costs $1.7 million.