First Commercial Oil Found by BMPC

The discovery of commercial oil by the British Malayan Petroleum Company (BMPC) marked a pivotal development in Brunei's economic landscape. BMPC, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, identified significant oil reserves in Brunei, which led to the establishment of a robust oil and gas sector in the region. This discovery not only positioned Brunei as a notable player in the global oil market but also laid the groundwork for the country's economic reliance on hydrocarbon resources. The oil sector has since become a cornerstone of Brunei's economy, contributing approximately 90% of government revenue and significantly influencing the nation's development trajectory. The operations of BMPC, which later evolved into Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), have facilitated the production of substantial quantities of oil and gas, with current outputs reaching around 350,000 barrels of oil and gas equivalent per day. This production capacity underscores the importance of the oil industry in sustaining Brunei's economic stability and growth.