Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) welcomed a technical delegation from Hibiscus EP (Brunei) B.V. to its Sand Screen Retention Innovation Lab (SRI Lab), reinforcing the University’s commitment to fostering strategic industry-academia partnerships, advancing applied research, and providing industry-relevant testing services to support Brunei Darussalam’s oil and gas sector.
The delegation comprised Yang Mulia Harina Ramlee, Yang Mulia Yusrein Hady Abd Ghani, Yang Mulia Fatin Aimuni Hj Suffian, Yang Mulia Devarajan Indran, Yang Mulia Kevin Lim, and Yang Mulia Callub Siew. The visitors were received by Yang Mulia Dr Bashir Sulemam Abusahmin, Deputy Director of the Sand Screen Retention Innovation Lab (SRI Lab); Yang Mulia Pengiran Muhammad Nazri bin Pengiran Hj Ahmad, Acting Deputy Director of the Industry Liaison Office (ILO); Yang Mulia Dr Haji Mohammad Ishlah bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Deputy Programme Leader of Chemical and Energy Engineering; and Yang Mulia Haadii Syahirunnisaa Binti Haidi, Lead Commercial Marketing Officer.
The visit provided a valuable platform for meaningful engagement, knowledge exchange, and discussions on prospective areas of collaboration in research, innovation, and industry development. During the session, the Hibiscus Petroleum delegation was introduced to the capabilities, facilities, and ongoing research activities carried out at the SRI Lab, gaining first-hand insights into the laboratory’s role in addressing technical challenges related to sand control and production optimisation within the oil and gas industry.
Representatives from both organisations exchanged perspectives on emerging industry trends, technological advancements, and research-driven solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and supporting sustainable energy development. Discussions also explored opportunities for collaborative research, laboratory testing services, technical consultancy, innovation initiatives, and talent development programmes that could deliver long-term value to both academia and industry.
As a commercialised laboratory under UTB, SRI Lab offers specialised sand screen retention testing services to support the technical requirements of the oil and gas industry. Its services are open to operators, oilfield service providers, and sand screen manufacturers seeking laboratory testing to support product evaluation, performance assessment, and operational requirements. Through its specialised facilities and technical expertise, SRI Lab provides industry with access to UTB’s testing capabilities while strengthening local technical capacity and supporting industry-driven innovation.
The engagement underscored the importance of sustained partnerships between academia and industry in driving innovation, facilitating technology transfer, and developing future-ready talent. Such collaborations are aligned with UTB’s strategic mission to deliver impactful research, foster innovation-led growth, and contribute to the nation’s economic diversification agenda and the aspirations of Brunei Vision 2035.
Through continued engagement with industry stakeholders such as Hibiscus Petroleum, UTB remains committed to strengthening its role as a leading institution for research, innovation, and human capital development, while expanding access to its commercial laboratory services and technical expertise to support the long-term growth and competitiveness of Brunei Darussalam’s energy sector.
