ABSTRACT
The Sultanate of Brunei, a British protectorate with only 150,000 people, is located in north-eastern “Borneo.” Brunei holds the distinction of being the first Far Eastern country to produce liquefied natural gas. Brunei’s oil output represents about a third of a percent of the world’s total, especially significant for a small country. Brunei exports by far the bulk of the crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and petroleum products produced. Brunei’s only mineral industries are related to oil and gas. Brunei Shell Petroleum, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell and 25% owned by the government of Brunei, operates the country’s oil fields and the only gas field. Brunei’s predominantly offshore oil fields together produced just over 200,000 barrels per day of crude oil in 1975 and 1976. Fewer than two-thirds of the population are Brunei citizens. Indigenous oil and natural gas and the electric power produced there from, of course, can easily support the small industry and population of Brunei.
