I had been here many times, at least more than 5 times, but it was my first time, i.e. on December 11, 2010, I brought Nana, M Aiman, Afiqah and my niece Nurin to this one of the Miri’s tourist spots called Petroleum Museum Sarawak. Located on the top of the Canadian Hill, next to one of the Miri heritages – the Grand Old Lady (will share the photos in my next release), 10 minutes drive from Miri town (depending on the traffic volume though), Petroleum Museum Sarawak provides stories of how the oil and gas industries started in Malaysia or to be specific, in Miri Sarawak. Very informative and the lay-out, I must say, awesome!. It caters for all levels visitors domestically and internationally. I was not born in Miri (Nana did) though, but I am very proud of being part of it – Miri. Hence, in this release/series, I will share you the pictures of the exhibits, its facilities and all related stories entitled – MIRI::WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, which I’ve gathered from the museum. However, it is always better to experience it by yourself. Like the saying goes; one could gain priceless experience by visiting the place, not through reading map.
Miri occupies a very special place in the history of Malaysia – it was here on top of Canada Hill that the first oil well was drilled by Shell in 1910. This laid the foundation for our national petroleum industry, which would help to fuel the nation’s socio-economic development and propel Miri and its people from a sleeping village into the city of today.
The first oil well in Malaysia was drilled by Cable Tool Method. Spudded on August 10 1910 and was completed on December 22 1910. The original depth was 452 feet but the last Production depth was 1096 feet. After 62 years in operation, it was finally abandoned on October 31 1972. The estimated Total Production was 660,000 Barrels and the last Production Rate was 7 Barrels Per Day.
Here is the story goes: In 1882, the then Resident of Baram, Mr Claude Champion de Crisping, first recorded the presence of oil in Sarawak. He wrote in his diary about oil found in some 18 wells dug by hand by the locals in Miri. He suggested to the then Rajah Sarawak, Sir Charles Brooke, that an investigation be made, but nothing was done, probably because during that time the demand for oil in Sarawak was nil. Two years later, he again recommended “the oil district near the mouth of the Miri River be thoroughly searched and reported on”. In 1888, His successor, Dr Charles Hose, studied the oil seepages and compiled a map of the area showing no less than 28 oil seepages.
An anthropologist, geographer and an avid collector of Natural Specimens, Hose had managed to explore and map oil seepages occurring in the Baram area. He also built up an invaluable collection on Sarawak’s natural history. It was through all these frequent trips that he also discovered that unpolished rice was the cure to beriberi. However it was only on his return to England on retirement in 1904, that he managed and samples with the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum. (A Shell Company based in London) Chief Geologist, Dr Josef Theoder Erb was sent by the company, after it had obtained the concession and lease from the Rajah, along with Dr Hose as its guest to investigate Dr Hose’s finds.
Erb carried out a thorough survey of the whole of the north of Sarawak, and located a site on top of Canada Hill to drill the first well. A wooden derrick was erected on the site along with the necessary drilling outfit.
On Wednesday, August 10 1910, drilling began. Four months later, on Thursday December 22, oil was struck when the well reached a depth of 137 meters. This was later called Miri Well No. 1 and it was the beginning of the Miri Land Field. Well No.1’s wooden derrick later became known as ‘The Grand Old Lady of Miri’.Drilling by the old cable tool method was slow and hazardous. The oil was pumped by means of a beam with a large revolving bull wheel driven by steam engine. Initial production was 82 barrels per day (insignificant by today’s standards). This increased considerably as the well was deepened further.
The historical discovery of Miri Well No. 1 turned Miri from a fishing village into bustling town almost overnight spawning an influx of oilmen. Shell established its headquarters and set up a small clinic and sundry. By 1913, Sarawak Crude began to be exported globally.
The Hazardous Method of transporting crude oil to tankers was becoming impracticable due to the rise of oil production in Miri. By this time, the 8 wells in the Miri Land Field were already producing 194,000 barrels per year and this more doubled to 488,000 barrels in 1914. Even more oil discoveries increased output and prompted the need for a better alternative to transport crude oil urgently.
Therefore, the answer came in the form of 6 inches submarine pipeline laid from Tanjung Lobang, to the south of Miri town, and extended four kilometers out to the sea. A flexible rubber hose, sealed at one end, was joined to this sea line, and it’s position indicated by two marker buoys. When laid in 1914, this sealine was considered as an engineering achievement considering the limited local at that time.
Shell also built the first refinery in Malaysia, at Brighton Beach in 1914. Unfortunately due to severe corrosion problems to the sea line, a new site to relocate a new and improved sealine was identified 11 kilometers from Miri. The new site, Lutong was where new sealine was built and completed in 1917; making it the longest sea line then, in the world.
In 1921, Sarawak Oilfields Limited (SOL) was formed to take over the concession rights from Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company Limited. Miri by now had about 40 shop houses, an English-medium school and a Chinese medium school. The increase in Shell’s activities also saw the construction of the Miri-Lutong road in 1924.
About 8 years later, in 1929, production from Miri Land Field reached a peak with a daily average of 15,000 barrels. However this rate declined after World War II, with no new fields discovered elsewhere in Sarawak. SOL included Brunei in its exploration activities.Soon after the news of Pearl Harbour, Shell set about shutting down the Miri Field. During the world was, the Shell headquarters in Miri was bombed and the Lutong refinery was severely damaged, losing countless rock and paleontological records since 1910.
After 6 years of the bloody Second World War, in August 1946, the head office was relocated to Lutong and the first post-war well was drilled in Miri.
Her appearance now...
Then, way back in 1910............ You can the full story entitled 'Miri::where it all began' in my next release.
The first oil refinery plant - Lutong Refinery operates by the Royal Dutch Company is the first refinery plant in Malaysia, which is still in operation. It has undergone series of expansion and rejuvenation over the years, I mean over the past hundred years.
I had been here many times, at least more than 5 times, but it was my first time, i.e. on December 11, 2010, I brought Nana, M Aiman, Afiqah and my niece Nurin to this one of the Miri’s tourist spots called Petroleum Museum Sarawak. Located on the top of the Canadian Hill, next to one of the Miri heritages – the Grand Old Lady (will share the photos in my next release), 10 minutes drive from Miri town (depending on the traffic volume though), Petroleum Museum Sarawak provides stories of how the oil and gas industries started in Malaysia or to be specific, in Miri Sarawak. Very informative and the lay-out, I must say, awesome!. It caters for all levels visitors domestically and internationally. I was not born in Miri (Nana did) though, but I am very proud of being part of it – Miri. Hence, in this release/series, I will share you the pictures of the exhibits, its facilities and all related stories entitled – MIRI::WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, which I’ve gathered from the museum. However, it is always better to experience it by yourself. Like the saying goes; one could gain priceless experience by visiting the place, not through reading map.
Miri occupies a very special place in the history of Malaysia – it was here on top of Canada Hill that the first oil well was drilled by Shell in 1910. This laid the foundation for our national petroleum industry, which would help to fuel the nation’s socio-economic development and propel Miri and its people from a sleeping village into the city of today.
Here is the story goes: In 1882, the then Resident of Baram, Mr Claude Champion de Crisping, first recorded the presence of oil in Sarawak. He wrote in his diary about oil found in some 18 wells dug by hand by the locals in Miri. He suggested to the then Rajah Sarawak, Sir Charles Brooke, that an investigation be made, but nothing was done, probably because during that time the demand for oil in Sarawak was nil. Two years later, he again recommended “the oil district near the mouth of the Miri River be thoroughly searched and reported on”. In 1888, His successor, Dr Charles Hose, studied the oil seepages and compiled a map of the area showing no less than 28 oil seepages.
An anthropologist, geographer and an avid collector of Natural Specimens, Hose had managed to explore and map oil seepages occurring in the Baram area. He also built up an invaluable collection on Sarawak’s natural history. It was through all these frequent trips that he also discovered that unpolished rice was the cure to beriberi. However it was only on his return to England on retirement in 1904, that he managed and samples with the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum. (A Shell Company based in London) Chief Geologist, Dr Josef Theoder Erb was sent by the company, after it had obtained the concession and lease from the Rajah, along with Dr Hose as its guest to investigate Dr Hose’s finds.
Erb carried out a thorough survey of the whole of the north of Sarawak, and located a site on top of Canada Hill to drill the first well. A wooden derrick was erected on the site along with the necessary drilling outfit.
The historical discovery of Miri Well No. 1 turned Miri from a fishing village into bustling town almost overnight spawning an influx of oilmen. Shell established its headquarters and set up a small clinic and sundry. By 1913, Sarawak Crude began to be exported globally.
The Hazardous Method of transporting crude oil to tankers was becoming impracticable due to the rise of oil production in Miri. By this time, the 8 wells in the Miri Land Field were already producing 194,000 barrels per year and this more doubled to 488,000 barrels in 1914. Even more oil discoveries increased output and prompted the need for a better alternative to transport crude oil urgently.
In 1921, Sarawak Oilfields Limited (SOL) was formed to take over the concession rights from Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company Limited. Miri by now had about 40 shop houses, an English-medium school and a Chinese medium school. The increase in Shell’s activities also saw the construction of the Miri-Lutong road in 1924.
Nurin is one of my nieces, one of Afiqah’s favorite cousins and the youngest daughter of one of Yayasan Yusuf’s fraternities – tycoon Zailan. She is genius indeed. She was travelling with her family to Miri attending one of my relatives’ wedding receptions on 26 November 2010 but decided to stay back with Afiqah until she was fetched by his tycoon and supportive father on 13 December 2010.
Despite been grown up from a wealthy family environment and academically genius, she is down-to earth type kid who mingled with anyone on the street without prejudice, bias and arrogant. Apart from that, compared to similar kinds of her age, she was well behaved, very discipline and ‘easy-maintenance’ type. We brought her to Bintulu for a couple of days and to some beautiful spots in Miri, among others, the Petroleum Museum & the Grand Old Lady, Taman Awam, Marina Bay, the Crocodile farm and our favorite eating place – d Madly’s Café.
At Crocs Farm Miri with her cousins M Aiman, Afiqah and lovely sporting Aunt - Nana.
Trying her skill 'driving' the simulator at Petroleum Museum Miri with her favorite cousin Afiqah. She was very amazed with the features and informations available at the museum.
Amazed and impressed with her cousin Afi's artwork during Afi's first ever exhibition at Public Library Miri.
At the Grand Old Lady, Canada Hill, Miri - trying to push the drilling pipe with Afiqah!!
Refreshing and rejuvenating at the wading pool of Taman Awam Miri, after a long hectic 'tour' around Miri. Not as big as the Sunway Lagoon but, they really enjoyed themselves.
With M Aiman and Afiqah at the Watch Tower of the Taman Awam Miri.
Along the beach line of Marina Bay Miri - enjoying the scenic South China Sea breeze.
Marina Bay: Honestly I do not know how this name exists. Most of the Mirians are very familiar with Luak Bay, Tanjung Lobang, but not Marina Bay. Nevertheless, how it exist is not really the matter to me. But, the fact is that, its existence has surely made Miri more beautiful and attractive. Built on a reclaimed land, looking at the current situation, one could see the construction is still in progress –slightly slow though. But the basic infrastructure, such as road, lighting, drainage system, etc. had been long time (honestly I am not really sure when - the exact date) completed and used by the public. Despite that, we had been there twice. 
How to go there: If you are from Luak or Tanjung Lobang or from the western part of Miri, about 300 meters after the Everly Hotel’s junction turn left to the second junction. You will find the Marina Bay signage in front of you near that junction. And, if you are driving from the Miri town or the eastern part of Miri, you will have to make a U-turn at the Everly Hotel’s junction.
There are a private (I think) Yacht facility, which is not open to public; a big sea-food restaurant and a nice beach line decorated with coconut trees. One can also see the old Sri Sarawak berth near the yacht berthing area. Apart from that, during a very nice clear day, one could enjoy the green and bluish scenery of the preserved forest and the beach - a place for shutterbugs to test their skills.
The sea-food restaurant is one of its kinds in Miri. Almost 100% built - made of solid quality wood with Balinese concept, the restaurant serves varieties of scrumptious fresh sea-foods, such as, crab, exotic fishes, oysters, few types of prawns, etc. specially cook to your favorite cuisines – normally Chinese, Thailand, Indonesian and Malaysian. The price is relatively high though, but the service is commendable. MIRI Boleh!
Well….I do not celebrate birthday, but if I had one, it was organized by someone else, either by my lovely supportive wife or our fabulous kids or my understanding in-laws, niece and nephews. Cutting that boring introduction short; today is my birthday, and my sensible family members and Twinzbites thrown me a decent ‘birthday party’ and had kindly prepared me an awesome chocolate cake. Thank you very to all and wish you all the best and achieve Allah swt blessing in whatever good deed that you are doing. NOTE: The cake was made by TwinzBites.
By the way, 2 days after that, when I opened my email, I received an electronic birthday card from Pan Pac KLIA. The prudent sensible attitude I would say, had reminded me on the importance of maintaining rapport and networking with all the people around us, whether they are your internal or indirect external customers and stakeholders. Thank you Pan Pac KLIA.
Above. The uncomplete Face of the tiger by pen and oil on plywood. His last minute attempt before he left for KL. Despite that, this was one of the favorites. 
The Judgement Day (above) is one of his first IGCSE projects completed in 2008 - the biggest in his school then. It is a mixed media of paper, plywood, ink and acrylic. He has to cut that 3' by 8' art piece into 3 pieces to mobilize it here from Egypt. His undivided support from his sportive lovely mum - Nana.
Amazed by the work, Afiqah and Nurin showed their moral support. Thank you dude.
Welcoming its visitors with a tall arch showered by beautifully engineered lightings (if you go there at night), reminisced us about the old Roman architecture, Pustaka Miri or Miri Library aka Public Library Miri is worth a place to visit if you are in Miri.
I have heard, saw and passed this building, which is located within the popular Miri City Fan many times. Somehow or rather, the reputable services and the attractiveness of this one of the Miris’ top Spots had never really attracted me. Not until one evening, after after arriving from Bintulu, we had our dinner at Madli’s Café, we went there to witness Afi’s first ever art exhibition. My first impression upon arriving at the main door was – wow!..awesome!! I spent some time at the garden between the main door and the arch, admiring the facilities and capturing it with my D90.
Nana, Afiqah and Nurin went straight to the foyer where the exhibition was. I must say, in line with its objectives, among others; to provide center for reference, education and information or disseminate of information relevant to the economic, historical, social, cultural, political and other background development and achievement of the state of Sarawak as a whole – the features is remarkably commendable. Superb!
We spent about almost one hour and had opportunity watching the classic Chinese stage show / opera, which is quite rare nowadays. Before we left this magnificent building that was opened in 2002, we wandered around the scenic landscape that was decorated with splendid lightings.
