Dimensions International Fall 2014
Transcription
Dimensions International Fall 2014
A Periodical of Saudi Aramco AAJ THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN FALL Fall 2014 2 Aramco Asia-Japan Japan has long been an important market for Saudi Aramco’s crude oil and petroleum products, and the launch of Aramco Asia-Japan in 2012 signaled an even deeper commitment to what has been a prosperous and beneficial relationship with “The Land of the Rising Sun.” The scope and focus of the 30-year partnership goes beyond oil trading and procurement to include areas such as research and development, and mutual investments in new technologies. What does a petroleum engineer really do? It’s well-known that petroleum engineers have always played a crucial role in the oil and gas industry, but not everyone understands exactly what that role entails. Join us for an inside look of the various contributions that engineers make in virtually every aspect of the industry to keep the production of oil and gas running smoothly — and safely — on a daily basis. Photo by Ahmad El-Itani 10 departments abbrev. 28 worldview Back Cover The Saudi Arabian Oil Company, also known as Saudi Aramco, was established by Royal Decree in November 1988 to succeed the original U.S. concessionary company, Aramco. The Aramco concession dates back to 1933. Saudi Aramco’s Dimensions International is published periodically for the affiliates, customers and employees of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco). Beginning in 1973, under terms of an agreement with the four Aramco shareholders, the Saudi Government began acquiring an ownership interest. By 1980, with retroactive financial effect to 1976, the Government’s beneficial interest in Aramco increased to 100 percent when it paid for substantially all of Aramco’s assets. Khalid A. Al-Falih President and Chief Executive Officer Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Council for Petroleum and Mineral Affairs determines policies and oversees operations of the Kingdom’s oil and gas industries. Saudi Aramco’s Board of Directors is chaired by HE Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. Aali M. Alzahrani General Manager, Public Affairs Nasser A. Al-Nafisee Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Editor: William E. Bradshaw 16 Desert panoramas Some of the Kingdom’s most breathtaking natural landscapes were captured on film for all to see when a crew made a unique trek into the depths of the desert on a 10-day trip that proved to be challenging, but infinitely rewarding. When completed, the time-lapse films will serve the centerpieces of the state-of-the-art interactive exhibits at Saudi Aramco’s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran. Photo by Grant Reid 22 Johns Hopkins Joint Venture with Saudi Aramco A new era in health care in the Kingdom was ushered in with the inauguration of historic partnership between Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) and Saudi Aramco. The Joint Venture Agreement, which officially came into effect in January of this year, brings together Saudi Aramco’s long established health care system and the worldrenowned clinical, educational and research expertise of JHM. Contributing to this issue: Adil A. Al-Sadiq, Dr. Zillur Rahim, Adnan AlKanaan, Dr. Hamoud A. Al-Anazi, Grant Reid, Kim Kash, Salam A. Al-Jishi and Jeff McCoshen Design: Graphic Engine Design, Austin, Texas, U.S.A. Printing: Sarawat Designers and Printers, Jiddah, Saudi Arabia All editorial correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, Saudi Aramco Dimensions International Public Relations Department, Saudi Aramco Box 5000 Dhahran 31311 Saudi Arabia About the cover: The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) located in Kyoto, Japan, is literally covered in gold — gold leaf. The Golden Pavilion is listed on the World Heritage site and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. ISSN 1319-0520 Copyright © 2014 Aramco Services Company FALL 2014 Printed on recycled paper www.saudiaramco.com Dimensions International 1 : JAPAN A GATE WAY TO ASIA 2 Dimensions International AN EYE ON SAUDI ARAMCO’S PROJECTS IN “THE L AND OF THE RISING SUN” BY ADIL A. AL-SADIQ The 100-year-old Tokyo Train Station has recently been renovated. The main station in Tokyo handles more than 3,000 trains daily. Dimensions International 3 THE VALUE OF WORK IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN JAPANESE CULTURE. WHATEVER DIFFICULTIES THEY FACE, IT IS A DEDICATION TO HARD WORK THAT HAS RESULTED IN SUCCESS FOR CENTURIES IN THE ISL AND NATION. That work ethic has paved the way for economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan, but the relationship between the two countries has gone beyond mere trade; it is a bond between a developing country and an industrial giant in search for markets and sources of energy. Saudi Aramco has played a vital role in providing Japan with the energy it has needed to become one of the world’s major industrialized nations, with the partnership between the company and Japan going back more than 30 years. In recent years, that partnership has grown. In 2012, Saudi Aramco launched Aramco Asia-Japan (AAJ) as part of a new phase in the pursuit of the company’s vision of becoming a key source of energy and chemicals in the Far East, helping realize its strategic intent of becoming a leading global and integrated energy and chemicals company by 2020. Currently, the Kingdom exports 1 million barrels per day of crude oil to Japan, which represents 30 percent of Japan’s total crude oil imports. Saudi Aramco’s business in Japan continues to grow. Since December 2010, the company has leased a commercial crude oil site for commercial storage on the island of Okinawa, which has a total capacity of 6.3 million barrels. ARAMCO ASIA-JAPAN: A LEVER FOR ENERGY PROJECTS Asia is a major market for Saudi Aramco’s crude oil and petroleum products. It is also one of the main destinations of Saudi Aramco’s sales, establishing another important role for the AAJ office and making it a lever for Saudi Aramco projects in the country. In recent years, Asian markets have become the main outlet for the marketing of Saudi Aramco’s petroleum products thanks to steady growth in the region, which is also one of the most important suppliers of materials, construction, and services to Saudi Aramco. These commercial transactions Japanese employees enjoy working as a team. Being led by Izumi Kawaguchi, right, are Ami Enomoto, Nami Yamamoto and Nozomi Nakamura. The Aramco Asia-Japan staff are busy executing the company’s plans at its offices in Tokyo. have contributed to the development of the Saudi economy and helped support growing economies in the Asian region. Previously, two Saudi Aramco subsidiaries did business in Japan. The establishment of Aramco Asia merged these subsidiaries into AAJ, a step that came with a variety of challenges. Young as it may be, AAJ has achieved numerous breakthroughs in growth and expansion. Regional partners welcomed the launch of AAJ, which was described as timely and crucial to providing more opportunities for the Kingdom and the Far East, as well as for Saudi Aramco and local companies. On July 13, 2012, Khalid Al-Buainain, senior vice president of Technical Services, (who was then Saudi Aramco’s senior vice president of Downstream), opened the offices of AAJ at a gathering of 300 guests in Tokyo. “The establishment of this company is a testimony to Saudi Aramco’s firm commitment to the Japanese market,” said Al-Buainain. “The newly established company is based on the longterm and strong relationship between the two countries. The scope and focus of the company will go beyond oil trading and procurement to include other areas, such as research and development, as well as taking advantage of mutual investments in new technology and the Capital Power Initiative, which was recently launched to support the energy industry.” DEEPENING SAUDI ARAMCO’S PRESENCE “As part of expanding our business on a global scale, Saudi Aramco’s subsidiaries all over the world are offering a wide range of services, including the marketing of crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and chemicals, as well as coordination of joint ventures, procurement, inspection, research and development, project management, development of human resources, public and government relations, and communications,” said Ahmed AlSubaey, executive director of Marketing, Supply and Joint Venture Coordination. “Through Aramco Asia’s regional offices, we continue Highlights in the history of Saudi-Japanese to deepen our presence in one of the fastest growing cooperation in areas of investment and economics regions of the world. These international projects will continue to play an imporTHE VISIT OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE CROWN PRINCE, DEPUT Y PRIME tant role in Saudi Aramco’s MINISTER AND THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE, PRINCE SALMAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ transformation into a world leader in the field of energy AL SAUD TO JAPAN IN FEBRUARY 2014. and chemicals by 2020.” THE SYMPOSIUM HELD IN FEBRUARY 2014 IN TOKYO UNDER THE THEME “INVEST Regarding Saudi Aramco’s operations in Japan, AlIN SAUDI ARABIA,” ATTENDED BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF THE SAUDI Subaey said: “Saudi Aramco ARABIAN GENERAL INVESTMENT AUTHORITY, ABDULLATIF IBN AHMED AL-OTHMAN. owns, through one of its subsidiaries, a 14.96 percent KHALID A. AL-FALIH, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SAUDI ARAMCO DELIVERED A interest in Showa Shell, one SPEECH IN KYOTO DURING THE 10TH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY (STS) of Japan’s largest refining FORUM, WHICH WAS HELD IN OCTOBER 2013. companies. Showa Shell’s share price increased by 115 THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FORUM WAS HELD IN TOKYO IN FEBRUARY 2012. percent in 2013, which substantiates the prevailing optiSAUDI ARAMCO’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET IN TOKYO IN MAY 2012. mism in the market about the future of Showa Shell’s A view of downtown Tokyo from the Aramco Asia-Japan (AAJ) office. Dimensions International 5 Social Responsibility: Cooperation and Support WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILIT Y IN JAPAN AND TAIWAN, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT COOPERATION BETWEEN SAUDI ARAMCO AND THE IWATANI CORPORATION, WHICH LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WELL-RECEIVED SAUDI ARAMCO-IWATANI EMERGENCY LP GAS RELIEF PROGRAM IN 2009. IN ADDITION, THROUGH AAJ, SAUDI ARAMCO HAS SUPPORTED THE PRESERVATION OF OKINAWA REEFS SINCE 2011 AND ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTES TO MANGROVE PL ANTING CAMPAIGNS SINCE 2012 IN COOPERATION WITH A JAPANESE UNIVERSIT Y. MOREOVER, THERE IS A STRONG REL ATIONSHIP WITH THE OKINAWA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. WHEN THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE HIT JAPAN, THE KINGDOM WAS QUICK TO EXTEND HELP, AND SAUDI ARAMCO’S PRESIDENT AND CEO KHALID A. AL-FALIH PERSONALLY VISITED THE DISASTER STRICKEN AREAS TO MEET WITH ALL CUSTOMERS AND ASSURED THEM THAT COOPERATION WILL CONTINUE. HE ENCOURAGED SAUDI ARAMCO’S PERSONNEL STATIONED IN JAPAN TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN CONTRIBUTIONS TO HELP THE JAPANESE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE DISASTER. AAJ ALSO PAYS VISITS TO UNIVERSITIES AND GIVES PRESENTATIONS ON SAUDI ARAMCO'S OPERATIONS IN JAPAN AND ALL OVER THE WORLD. The company’s strategic storage plant in Okinawa can hold 6.3 million barrels of crude oil. business. Showa Shell has also out performed its counterparts in the field of solar energy.” Solar Frontier, a subsidiary of Showa Shell, succeeded in 2012 in installing a 10.5 MW solar power system in Saudi Aramco’s Al-Midra office complex in Dhahran. More than 120,000 solar panels were installed above the sunshades in the parking area for the production of clean energy for the building. CHALLENGES “The creation of Aramco Asia-Japan was not easy; in fact, we had many challenges,” said Ahmed Alkhunaini, representative director of AAJ. “We have been in Japan for nearly 35 years, which brought the company to a high level of professional and business maturity in the performance of its basic mission: the sale and marketing of crude oil and petroleum products in Japan and other Asian countries. However, other aspects of the business are as important as — and complementary to — the sale of oil. Our business in Japan has grown into the best professional experience in terms of import and export during the past three decades, and Saudi Aramco and Aramco Asia-Japan are very proud of their reputation for reliability, which bolstered their presence in Japan as an important and essential source of energy.” The Kingdom exports a total of 1 million barrels of crude oil per day to Japan and Taiwan, which also falls within the responsibilities of AAJ. Although Saudi Aramco’s initial presence in Japan was mainly for the sale of crude oil, the company’s portfolio is expanding, especially at a time when Saudi Aramco is moving toward development and change through the application of the Accelerated Transformation Program (ATP) initiatives, which integrates many creative initiatives as a basis for the transformation process. Ahmed Al-Subaey Ahmed Alkhunaini The relationship between the Kingdom and Japan supports the company’s marketing plans for Japan and the Pacific Rim countries, in a direct translation of the objectives of the ATP, which stresses the importance of developing and driving the marketing of Saudi Aramco's petroleum products globally. “There are three primary reasons for our presence in Japan and the formation of these three companies in the Far East on the coast of the Pacific Ocean,” said Alkhunaini. “The first reason is our customers. The second reason is the suppliers and contractors from whom we import materials and equipment, and the third reason is centered around proposed or independent partners.” Alkhunaini said the company always encourages Japanese investors to invest in various fields in the Kingdom, from infrastructure to the transfer of advanced technologies through the development of robust and effective communication channels with Japanese business sectors. “Our role is not limited to encouragement; we also bridge the gaps in viewpoints and give a detailed explanation of the nature of business in the Kingdom. In addition, we help Japanese investors by arranging constructive meetings with the competent authorities,” said Alkhunaini. “There is no doubt that Eastern Asia has a promising economic future, and we are betting on our students who are getting their degrees there and who will take over leadership positions in the company and its subsidiaries worldwide. Current numbers support our vision and views on East Asian countries and India where there is an economic boom.” EMERGING MARKETS Yuya Katsumata, deputy managing director of the Marketing Services Department, recently completed 10 years of service with AAJ. Katsumata says when he started working at the Saudi Petroleum Ltd. in Tokyo in 2004, he was only responsible for crude oil sales, but since the merger and the birth of AAJ, he has assumed responsibility for the marketing of other products as well. The department now deals directly with some departments in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, such as the Crude Oil Marketing and Sales Department and the Joint Venture Coordination Department. Katsumata coordinates the agreements and contracts for commercial crude oil storage tanks in Okinawa. Yuya Katsumata Takuro Abe “This is just the beginning,” he predicts. “I am sure that the company will grow bigger and expand its business in the Far East. Crude oil marketing and sales will cover all markets.” MARKETING OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS The Marketing Services Department assumes, among other things, the responsibility of marketing LPG. Takuro Abe, manager of the LPG & Product Marketing Services Division, describes energy markets at present as “dynamic and complex.” “As part of my job in the LPG marketing, I send reports to the Crude Oil Marketing and Sales Department, and so do officials in other offices in Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, London and New York. Then, the department staff consolidates these reports into one comprehensive report for submittal to the pricing committee, which in turn, announces the prices,” he explains. “As for me, I constantly monitor market activities and I conduct face-to-face interviews with marketing staff and customers.” “Pricing is my daily work, and the nature of this work is especially dynamic to cope with the circumstances of the markets. The process involves satisfying the customers, fulfilling their needs, maintaining and increasing our profits, and strengthening our presence in the market.” AN EYE ON THE MARKET Atena Hone, an assistant in the Marketing Services Department, is named after the Greek capital where she was born and lived until she was three years old. Her father was a pilot stationed in Athens. Her work is focused on marketing crude oil and LPG products. She also updates all the data and information on LPG on a daily basis, and contributes to the preparation of specific reports and tables on markets and price comparisons. Hone makes daily comparisons between prices and movement of products. One of her duties is the preparation of a weekly report on LPG, participation in the preparation of reports on Asian market conditions, customer registration and collection of relevant information, as well as the creation of infographics for such reports to help make them more informative and helpful. Hone, who speaks fluent English, thanks to attending high school for a year in Rhode Island where she lived with an American family, also coordinates the visits of business delegations to her department. She recalls the learning curve involved when she joined Saudi Petroleum three years ago. Dimensions International 7 Atena Hone Hideki Koike Nasser AlHelal Tina Suzuki “When I first started, I had no experience working with Arabs and Saudis, and I had no knowledge of their customs and traditions. However, in time, I began to adapt and explore the Saudi culture to better understand my work colleagues. I came to know that they are educated and knowledgeable about the world and work, and that they are professionals. In short, I can say that Saudis are positive and wonderful.” HISTORY OF COOPERATION That same year, Saudi Petroleum Overseas Company Ltd., a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, opened a new office in Tokyo. The office was headed by several managing directors from Saudi Aramco, and in 1993, the company’s name was changed to Saudi Petroleum Ltd. Koike noted other examples of the cooperation between Japanese institutions and Saudi Aramco. “There are some academic centers and institutions that have long-standing relations of cooperation with the Kingdom and Saudi Aramco, such as the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East, and the Japanese-Saudi Ara“... BUT ONE THING REMAINS UNCHANGED, bia Society." Counselor Hideki Koike has 32 years of continuous service. Koike is known, loved, and respected by the employTHAT IS THE FACT THAT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, ees of AAJ. His colleagues THE MECHANISM OF ACTION turn to him for advice in all AND WILL ALWAYS BE, PROUD OF MY WORK Nasser AlHelal, deputy manwork-related matters. He IN THIS COMPANY, WHICH I CONSIDER A aging director of the Strategic retains in his memory the hisFAMILY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.” Procurement and Logistics tory of cooperation between Department, says there have the Kingdom and Japan. — Yoshiko Komatsu been significant changes in “The first economic relathe nature of the work. tionship between Japan and “Since we became AramSaudi Arabia dates back to co Asia-Japan, the pace of 1958 when the Arabianwork quickened and its scope expanded. Our responsibilities, Japanese Oil Company was founded in Al-Khafji (in the as a result, increased. For example, our purchases in the region Partitioned Zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait). I was part of a delegation that visited the Kingdom in 1973. The goal increased by 350 percent in 2013 compared to 2012. In the past, we used to look for and buy the materials, and Aramco of the visit was to study the conditions for the establishment of a joint venture between Japan and the Kingdom in the field of Overseas Co. (AOC) in the Netherlands would pay the invoices. Now, the situation is completely different; we are responsible petroleum.” for everything — contracts and payments, among others. Also, In 1984, an office was established for Petronal (Petromanagement of travel services and their related contracts were min International) in Tokyo, covering all business in Japan, the responsibility of AOC in the Netherlands, and so was the China, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, management of logistics contracts. Now, all these tasks are our Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore. The company’s responsibility. We have also become responsible for the search head office was located in London, with branches in several for new suppliers to cover all of Southeast Asia.” cities, such as New York, Houston, Singapore and Tokyo. On working with Japanese employees AlHelal says: “JapThe year 1990, Koike says, was a turning point in Japaanese employees never cease to amaze me; their performance nese-Saudi economic relations. The Kingdom offered to sell is characterized by accuracy and loyalty. They have a great crude oil directly to Japanese oil companies instead of those sense of responsibility toward their work.” companies having to buy oil from major companies, such as Shell, Mobil and Chevron. 8 Dimensions International Yoshiko Komatsu Japan offers natural beauty, some of the biggest cities in the world and a wide array of activities. PUBLIC RELATIONS: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND THE SAUDI CULTURE Tina Suzuki, the pulsating heart of AAJ’s Public Relations, is experienced and always eager to work. She believes in the importance of the role Saudi Aramco plays through AAJ in strengthening and boosting the economic and cultural ties of more than three decades between the Kingdom and Japan. Suzuki started working for the company in December 2006. “Following the AOC and SPL merger, all employees had to get to know each other better, especially with the number of employees increasing. We had to have a newspaper or a newsletter to provide information on employees. That is where the idea of the newsletter we launched in February 2013 came from. “In addition, the Public Relations Department has built distinguished relationships with the Japanese media, especially the nonprofit ones, such as government-run Channel One of the Japanese TV, which has aired documentary films on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially the joint venture in Rabigh,” she said. “We select television and radio channels and newspapers with utmost care to be sure that we will not run into any technical or ethical problems.” Japan is well-known for its various traditional women’s attire. One of the most popular of these is the “furisode,” which is basically a variation of the famous kimono. Usually, young ladies in the age of marriage wear it during weddings and tea parties to indicate that they’re not engaged. Customarily made of very fine threads of lightcolored silk, it can be expensive and is easily identifiable by the wide sleeves. In Japanese, furisode literally means “swinging sleeves.” “SAUDI ARAMCO’S FAMILY” Yoshiko Komatsu joined the Procurement Department at Saudi Petroleum Overseas Ltd. in 1992 as a buyer and has seen the number of employees increase almost sevenfold. “Faces and names change around here, but one thing remains unchanged, that is the fact that I have always been, and will always be, proud of my work in this company, which I consider a family for all employees,” says Komatsu, who holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Sophia University in Japan. That family atmosphere was no more apparent than the day of the earthquake and ensuing tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011. “It was a disaster for the Japanese people,” says Komatsu. “Many foreigners decided to return to their countries. We felt that the world had forsaken us and left us to face that devastating disaster on our own. However, the one thing that I will never forget is that at a time when so many people were leaving Japan that the airports were jammed, Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Aramco’s president and CEO, came to Japan to offer his consolation to each and every one of us in our offices. We were all touched by that visit that made us feel very proud to be members of Saudi Aramco’s larger family. It even made a strong positive impression on our families, as well as the contractors and suppliers with whom we deal.” The Marunouchi Building, where the Aramco Asia-Japan (AAJ) office is located. Dimensions International 9 WHAT DOES A PETROLEUM ENGINEER REALLY DO? BY DR. ZILLUR RAHIM, ADNAN AL-KANAAN AND DR. HAMOUD A. AL-ANAZI Few career paths in today’s world offer the amazing variety of key roles that petroleum engineers play in the global economy, and as the world’s demand for hydrocarbons and their products continues to rise, petroleum engineers will play a crucial role in ensuring that demand is met, new technologies are deployed, costs and risks are managed, the environment is protected, and the world’s economic future remains secure. Integrated task cycle for a typical Reservoir Management Engineer. WHAT IS PETROLEUM? FIELD OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING Most people associate petroleum with transportation, but petroleum is not just used for fuel. Thousands of everyday vital products come from petroleum. One 42-gallon barrel of oil creates 20 gallons of gasoline and four gallons of jet fuel. The remaining 18 gallons are used to make things like solvents, ink, tires, motor oil, ice cube trays, house paint, roofing material, surf boards, hand lotion, candles, shampoo, food preservatives, toothpaste, golf balls, ice cream, heart valves, trash bags, antifreeze, eyeglasses, shower curtains, and so on. All these petroleum and associated products come from hydrocarbon resources found under the earth’s surface and require human intervention to produce them. Hydrocarbon is the result of the decomposition of organic matter over the course of millions of years, which is why the derived fuel or energy is a “nonrenewable” source of energy. This means that any depletion of such a deposit cannot be replenished in the foreseeable future. Consequently, there is an absolute necessity for other sources of energy to be developed to support the depleting global petroleum reservoirs that have been subjected to intense demand from energy consumers. The field of petroleum engineering is all about the exploration and production of various petroleum-based hydrocarbons, particularly natural gas and crude oil. These are some of the most significant sources of energy. Exploration is the phase prior to actually finding a commercial hydrocarbon resource, and the tasks are mainly carried out by geoscientists with the cooperation of petroleum engineers. Subsequently, the resource is transferred to the petroleum engineers who become responsible for development, management, operations and production. Petroleum engineering, as an academic discipline, originated in 1914 at the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) and the first degree was awarded by the University of Pittsburgh, PA, in 1915. The number of petroleum engineer students is low compared to the other known engineering departments, such as mechanical or electrical; therefore, there is a worldwide industry demand for petroleum engineers. The petroleum engineers formed a society — the history begins within AIME. AIME was founded in 1871 in Penn- 10 Dimensions International Porosity, movable hydrocarbon saturation, reservoir thickness and extent generally define the amount of hydrocarbon accumulated in a field and permeability defines the production potential. WHO IS A PETROLEUM ENGINEER? A cut out view of a hydrocarbon reservoir illustrating rock bedding and layering. sylvania to advance the production of metals, minerals, and energy resources through the application of engineering. The Petroleum Branch of AIME became a full-fledged professional society — the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) — in 1957 and the first Board of Directors meeting was held in Dallas, Texas, with president John H. Hammond presiding. The number of SPE members in 2014 exceeded 124,000, making the society the largest in the engineering industry. A petroleum engineer is employed by an oil company to design, test, and implement methods to produce petroleum products from the earth and sea floor. These engineers are involved in confirming the commercial presence of oil or gas, locating the drilling sites, designing products by combining their efforts with other engineering groups, contributing to the development of software to control and run equipment and simulate hydrocarbon flow through the reservoir, planning field development, and oversee the removal and processing of the petroleum itself. A petroleum engineer possesses a mix of various skills in mathematics, chemistry, geology, physics, finance, etc., over THIS GRAPH SHOWS THE MEMBERSHIP GROWTH OF THE SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS (SPE) FROM THE LATE 1950s TO 2014. MEMBERSHIP CURRENTLY EXCEEDS 124,000. 140 100 80 60 40 20 0 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 YEAR SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS (SPE) MEMBERSHIP COUNT BY REGION. 16 (THOUSANDS) “Reservoir” is one of the most common terms in petroleum engineering. What is a reservoir? In a general sense, a reservoir is a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply. In petroleum engineering terms, a reservoir is where the hydrocarbon migrates into and resides — an underground source usually thousands of feet deep — sitting in very harsh conditions of pressure and temperature, and bounded by impermeable layers above and below to contain the hydrocarbon. The two main fabrics of reservoirs are carbonates and sandstones. They possess different chemistry and characteristics, and do not provide open space like lakes. Rather, they are tightly grained, often consolidated, and hydrocarbon is stored in the very small pore spaces of the rock fabric, known as “porosity.” When these pore spaces are connected and the fluid can pass from one set of pores to the other, the rock becomes permeable. This phenomenon is defined as “permeability,” and the higher the permeability, the greater is the potential for hydrocarbon flow. The flow of hydrocarbon from the reservoir reaches the wellbore due to pressure differential between the reservoir and wellbore, making the reservoir producible. Saturation is an important aspect of a reservoir as different fluids, such as water, oil and gas, can coexist in the same structure. No single fluid is usually found to saturate the entire reservoir. Even if a single fluid existed, such as in a very dry gas reservoir, not all the gas can be produced by virtue of some of the gas sticking to the porosity walls, termed as residual saturation. 120 12 8 4 0 Ea G st A M ulf ern C fri id -C Coa Nor ana ca on st th d tin N A ia en ort me n t N h A ric or m a th er Am ica Ro M e id ric ck N dl yM o eE a r t N ou he nt rn ort ast h ai Se n Asi So N a So u Ru ort Pa a ut th Am ssi h A cifi h a m c Ce nt eric n & eri c ra l & a & Cas a So Ca pia E S a ut r n hw outh ste ibb es er rn ean te n A Eu rn r No sia P ope rth ac W es Am ific te rn Un er a No s ica rth sig Am ned er ica WHAT IS A RESERVOIR? Dimensions International 11 Left A computer model of a field development plan simulated by the petroleum engineers with optimal well spacing and configuration. Right A reservoir simulation model combined with geology showing well placement and hydrocarbon movement. and above the core petroleum engineering subjects. The discipline also overlaps several other engineering branches that include chemical, civil, and mechanical engineering; however, the work is focused on the evaluation and production of gas HISTORIC AND FUTURE ENERGY DEMAND WORLDWIDE. QUADRILLION BTU 250 200 150 100 50 0 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 YEAR SOURCE: U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (RELEASE DATE JULY 25, 2013). ENROLLMENT OF ENGINEERING STUDENTS IN BACHELOR DEGREE 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 El ec tri Me ca ch l/C an om ica pu l te r Co Ci m vil pu O t er th En Sc er gi ne i er Ch enc in e e g m (G ic e a Bi ner l om al ) Ae edi ro cal sp I a M ndu ce et st al ri lu al Bi r ol og En Pet gica ica vi rol l l & ron eu Ag me m n r En Civ Ar icul tal g. il/E ch tur Sc nv ite al ie iro ctu nc n r En es m al gi ne & ent er Ph al in ys g M Nu ics an cl ag ea em r e M nt in in g BS ENROLLMENT (THOUSANDS) PROGRAMS (2013). 12 Dimensions International and oil reservoirs, making them available to the consumer in various forms and stages. Given the vast scope of petroleum engineering, a single person obviously cannot champion all the tasks. The petroleum engineering functions are broadly divided into three categories: Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream. The very onset of exploration with the drilling of exploratory wells and subsequent development and production of the field is considered Upstream and is often referred to as Exploration and Production (E&P). The Midstream sector includes all the complex pipeline networks to transport the hydrocarbon from the wells to the purification plants, refineries and other installations. The ultimate refining and processing of the crude, purification of natural gas, operating petrochemical plants, deriving products from oil and gas, etc., compose the Downstream industry. The delineation of a field (identifying field boundaries) and its development by drilling a sufficient number of wells, ensuring that the hydrocarbon production target is met and the field is produced optimally and economically, and managed diligently by using proper production strategies are important tasks carried out by the Upstream petroleum engineers. They ensure that the reservoir life cycle is maximized by applying the most appropriate engineering and earth science technologies while fully complying with safety and environmental regulations. There are four areas of concern for a petroleum engineer: finding the oil/gas, evaluating hydrocarbon potential, maximizing recovery and transportation and storage. The major specialties include: design, oversee and run multimillion dollar drilling and production operations, perform laboratory tests, studies, and experiments to understand the reservoir and enhanced recovery methods, and develop computer simulation models to determine the optimal recovery process. Upstream petroleum engineers are further divided according to their specialties; some specialize in drilling engineering and are responsible for designing and actual drilling of the wells. “Production” engineers ensure proper completion and tie-in of the well to the processing plants, managing production operations, and optimizing operating expenses. “Stimulation” engineers fracture and rejuvenate wells to enhance productivity, making unconventional reservoirs commercially producible. “Reservoir” engineers fully evaluate reservoir properties, potential, and forecast oil and gas production rates. Petroleum reservoir management is one of the main branches of petroleum engineering and includes: overall field development and planning, maximizing property value, evaluating production performance, ensuring reservoir health, and being responsible in supplying and sustaining a substantial portion of world energy. Among all aspects of petroleum engineering, reservoir management engineering, mainly comprised of reservoir engineers, is the final authority and responsible entity for the supply of petroleum to a country. Reservoir management engineers forecast 1- to 5-year operating and business plans by running complex simulation models that include field development design and strategy, optimal drilling direction and well configuration, production performance forecasts, longterm production sustainability and financial budgeting. Their work is office-based and a significant part of it is spent interacting and working with the drilling engineers, log and core specialists, laboratory scientists, and completion, stimulation, and production technologists to ensure that field development progresses as per design and requirement. During the initial training and assignments, a petroleum engineer rotates between fields and offices, such as manufac- SAUDI ARAMCO CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION. IN 2013, THE AVERAGE PRODUCTION WAS 9.4 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL PER DAY. MILLION BARRELS PER DAY Left A well log showing formation lithology, reservoir development and gas saturation. Right A computer model of a gas field. turing installation, production plants, well sites, laboratories and computing centers. Petroleum engineers can work in offices or in the field, or at both places, depending on the specialization and focus. Therefore, a reservoir management engineer who deals with well productivity enhancement, designing field development, managing and optimizing reservoir performance, can spend their career in an office environment with infrequent visits to operation facilities. A production engineer, on the other hand, dealing with well completion, reservoir stimulation, and surface installations splits his or her job between the office and operation sites, as needed. A drilling engineer who is responsible for the actual drilling of a well, mostly needs to stay on-site during the duration of time assigned to him. An experienced drilling engineer can choose to work on designing wells, optimizing technologies, supervising operations, and managing logistics, thereby spending much time in the office. When petroleum engineering is mentioned, it most likely refers to the Upstream. Downstream engineers, often called petrochemical engineers, are more skilled in fluids and chemistry, and are responsible for the proper separation, processing and purification of crude, running the refinery plants, and working in the process of converting petroleum raw materials to develop and produce a diverse range of products, commodities, and specialty chemicals, including medicines. As demands increase for alternative energy, some forward-thinking petroleum engineers are turning their talents to working on clean energy products that produce lower carbon emissions. Many petroleum engineers travel the world or live in foreign countries — wherever their explorations take them to find and recover these valuable natural reserves. Petroleum engineers interact with world industry professionals on a regular basis through meetings and conferences, to become familiar with each other’s challenges, share and disseminate 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 YEAR Dimensions International 13 Trucks carrying state-ofthe-art service equipment to well sites in the desert. information, and deduce solutions to tough problems. Another facet of petroleum engineering is the financial analysis of each project. Petroleum engineers must gauge financial viability and determine if the entire process will be economical. Organization, integration, and analysis of data are important DAILY OIL PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY IN 2013. OIL PRODUCTION (MMBPD) 12 10 8 Total >85 (MMBPD) 6 4 2 Ru ss ia KS A US A Ira Ch n Ca ina na da Ira q Ve UA ne E zu e M la ex i Ku co wa Br it a Ni zil ge No ria rw Al ay ge A ria Ka ngo za la ks ta Qa n ta r Co U lu K m bi a 0 SOURCE: THE WORLD FACTBOOK, 2013. DAILY NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY IN 2012. GAS PRODUCTION (Bcfd) 120 100 80 Total >260 billion cubic ft per day (Bcfd) 60 40 20 US Ru A ss ia EU I Ca ran na da Qa No tar rw a Ch y in a KS Ne Alg A th er er ia In land do s n M esi a Uz alay be sia ki st a Tu rk Eg n m yp en t ist M an ex ico U Bo AE Au livi st a ra lia UK 0 SOURCE: THE WORLD FACTBOOK, 2012. 14 Dimensions International parameters for engineers to carry out such evaluations. Petroleum engineers have a future full of challenges and opportunities. In addition to working in the onshore conventional fields, they must develop and apply new technology to recover hydrocarbons from offshore oil and gas fields and from unconventional shale oil and gas, tar sands, and tight gas. They must also devise new techniques — enhancing secondary and tertiary modes of exploitation — to recover oil and gas left in the ground after exhausting conventional producing methods. This can include injecting chemicals in the reservoir and making it preferential to oil flow or using in situ combustion and heating techniques to make heavy oil lighter in the reservoir so that it can be easily flowed back to the well. In practice, “conventional oil and gas,” or the term “conventional resources,” applies to oil and gas that become producible after the drilling, completion and perforation operations, just by the natural reservoir pressure or sometimes by applying compression. After the reservoir has been producing for a long period of time — usually decades — the natural pressure of the wells may be too low to produce the remaining quantities of oil and gas. At that time, different recovery techniques are used to boost production, which may include water and gas injection or sophisticated compression mechanisms; but these oil and gas fields will still be considered conventional resources. Unconventional reservoirs cannot produce commercially except by the use of sophisticated drilling methods and extensive hydraulic fracturing conducted from the very onset of the development initiative. As opposed to a conventional field, an unconventional field produces with a much larger number of wells at a much lower production rate, requiring the application of numerous optimization techniques to bring the cost down so as to make the project economical. In either case, careful planning and design, along with the application of high-end technology for commercial and economic extraction of hydrocarbon, is required. A petroleum engineer is responsible for working with engineers of other disciplines during explora- Left: A hydraulic fracturing site to stimulate and improve production from unconventional reservoirs (Pennsylvania, U.S.). Right: A photo of a typical drilling rig. Photo by Mahdi Hussain tion, to development and production, to selecting the most optimized development plan. The petroleum engineer normally works very closely with the Exploration team that includes geologists and geophysicists on estimating hydrocarbon potential and reserves, and when an exploration is successful and a discovery is made. “Reserves” is an important term often used by petroleum engineers and is defined as the amount of hydrocarbon that can be commercially produced under current technological constraints from a certain field. Reserves is closely synonymous to the frequently used abbreviation “EUR” that stands for estimated ultimate recovery. With time, reserves can increase due to improvement and advancement in technical capability, application of innovative ideas, lowering of cost, extension of the developed area, or increase of field volumetrics. The reserves numbers are always lower than the initial hydrocarbon in place, which is defined to be the total volume of naturally occurring underground accumulations, producible or not. Reserves divided by the hydrocarbon in place is known as the recovery factor. Petroleum engineers are able to continuously update field delineation more precisely and recompute hydrocarbon reserves estimates and the production potential with the increased data acquired throughout the development phase. When a delineation drilling confirms the availability of sufficient reserves that will lead to a commercial exploitation project, the petroleum engineers design the field development by evaluating reservoir and hydrocarbon properties, drilling and completion strategies, complexities, recovery methods, cost and safety issues. SAUDI ARABIA: AN EXAMPLE OF EXPLORATION AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERING One of the most outstanding examples of oil and gas — from discovery to production — lies with the history of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom granted oil concessions to Standard Oil of California (Socal, today’s Chevron) in 1933, and the company started drilling exploratory wells in Dammam in 1935. Dammam-2 produced about 3,800 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and the company had 1,150 employees. However, the well started producing water and Dammam-3, 4, 5 and 6 were not promising. Max Steinke was the chief geologist for Socal and due to his insistence, vision, hard work, and patience, Dammam-7, also known as the “prosperity well,” made the most outstanding discovery, which has led the Kingdom to eventually become the possessor of 20 percent of world oil reserves. The Dammam-7 well became the symbol of success that initially yielded 3,700 bpd, but opened up the vast horizon of more exploration, delineation and development. The company name was changed to the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) in 1944 and eventually to Saudi Aramco in 1988. With the use of best-in-class technology, reservoir and petroleum engineering practices, application of innovative ideas and concepts, and above all, the best group of talents and highly skilled professionals, Saudi Arabia has made itself into a world-class oil and gas producing champion, providing the Kingdom and the world with the energy needed to meet the ever-challenging and growing demand. Throughout the 80-plus years of history, Saudi Arabia has become a world leader in exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing. With 121 oil and gas fields, the country possesses 260.2 billion barrels of proven conventional crude oil and condensate reserves and 288.4 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves. In 2013, Saudi Aramco produced 3.4 billion barrels of oil, about one in every eight barrels of the world’s crude oil production and 4 trillion standard cubic feet (Tscf) of natural gas compared to the world's total production of 125 Tscf. While the crude oil is for export, Saudi gas production is entirely dedicated to support the domestic energy consumption: mainly for electricity, de-salination plants, turbines and machinaries, and downstream industry. Next time when you drive your car, travel by plane, sit in your home in air-conditioned comfort, plan your cruise, light your house, eat ice cream, play golf, or take your medication, think of the contribution of the petroleum engineers to our society. Dimensions International 15 DESE P A N O R A M A S A Travel Diary The high dune desert area between Harrat Khaybar and Al-‘Ula. 16 Dimensions International RT by GR ANT REID and KIM K ASH Photos by GRANT REID L A ST N OV E M B E R , A C R E W T R AV E L E D T H E L E N GT H A N D B R E A DT H O F SAU D I A R A B I A TO C R E AT E A S E R I E S O F T I M E - L A P S E F I L M S S H OW I N G T H E K I N G D O M ’ S B R E AT H TA K I N G N AT U R A L L A N DSCA P E S . T H E F I L M S W I L L BE THE CENTERPIECES OF THE MUSEUM'S STAT E - O F-T H E - A RT I N T E R AC T I V E E X H I B I TS TO B E H O U S E D AT T H E K I N G A B D U L A Z I Z C E N T E R FO R WO R L D C U LT U R E I N D H A H R A N . Dimensions International 17 Tabuk); and at the star dunes — radially symmetrical dunes formed where the wind blows in different directions over the course of the years — in the Rub’ al-Khali (the Empty Quarter). The crew also filmed hours of close-up footage. All of this will become the backbone of the Desert TOP A view into the Jabel Bayda volcano crater and lake in the Harrat Khaybar area. The white color Trek zone in the is due to the silica-rich lava. BOTTOM The “whale-back” lava flow seen here is from Jabal Qidr — the Rihlaat (Journeys) only stratovolcano (conical volcano) in the Harrats — seen in the distance. gallery of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, which our cameramen filmed the scenes using robot cameras over successive 24-hour pe- explores Saudi Arabia’s ancient, natural and social history. The film crew traveled with four Saudi Aramco staff riods at the Harrat (lava field) Khaybar — members who have extensive desert knowledge and driving one of three coalesced basaltic lava fields in western Saudi Arabia — containing sev- skills. Museum project director Grant Reid was one of the staff members who accompanied the film crew, doing everything eral volcanic craters; in the Al-‘Ula Desert from burying electrical cables in the sand (to keep them out of (northwestern Saudi Arabia); in the dry the shots) to setting up the campsites and preparing meals for riverbeds of Wadi Disa (150 kilometers the round-the-clock photographers. (km) south of the northwestern city of F 18 Dimensions International Reid kept a diary of the group’s travels. Come along on his amazing journey through the vast and stunning open spaces of Saudi Arabia. Day 1 – November 20, 2013 I drive to the Dammam airport after a heavy rain. The weather has been stormy and wet over the last three days. It’s a great sign, as we hope to see some rare desert greening. The Embraer 170 took off fast and climbed. Soon we are at 35,000 feet, all clear and now descending over volcanoes and desert features in western Saudi Arabia. We approached Medina, sprinkled with steep and dramatic iron-hued mountains, the second holiest city in Islam after Makkah. The hotel is massive and seemingly empty at 2 p.m. On the way to my room I hear German voices and find the camera crew in the smoking lounge. Here is Jan Puekert, the tall, rangy producer, and the camera crew from TMS (Tamshick Media+Space): Daniel Frohlich, Mark Laqua, Sasha Eckardt and Mark Tamshick. Jan, Mark Tamshick and I set off to scour the city for necessary equipment: fuel; large, heavy duty car batteries and generators that we could not transport by plane; plus food, gas bottles and camping equipment for several days. It’s a bit of a mad rush to find our way in a new city as night falls and prayer time begins. We wade through supermarkets and DIY stores to gather all sorts of things that are not to be found in the remote areas where we are going. A photo of Neoproterozoic greenstone rock in the high dune desert area between Harrat Khaybar and Al-‘Ula. Day 2 – November 21 In the morning, we meet up with Saudi Aramco staff members James Farrant, Shihab Alireza and Paul Lecallion, who have flown in from Dhahran. All are veterans with expedition skills and comprise the drivers of our Toyota Land Cruiser fleet. We repack and begin the drive, Paul leading the way since he has been almost everywhere in Saudi Arabia. We drive in a convoy northwest for 300 km, with the landscape stringing out sparse and sparser. After midday, we run out of road. We start out into the volcanic plateau, and soon we see the volcanoes some 40 km away. Gravel plains come and go, breaking into rocky flat scree fields. Black lava appears on our left flank as we start to climb. The volcanic fields of western Saudi Arabia are less than 10 million years old and are not directly related to the Red Sea Rift, which is the spreading center between the Arabian and African plates. Harrat Khaybar, 65 km northeast of Medina, is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest volcanic fields, covering more than 14,000 square km. It contains a 100 km long, north-south oriented line of volcanic vents, including scoria cones, lava domes, maars, basalt lava flows — and Jabal Qidr, the only stratovolcano (conical volcano) in the Harrats. We make camp in a sheltered bay of sand and rock beside black cliffs that face the powder-white volcano we will ascend before night falls. Tents up, we all set out on the steep road right up onto the crater rim track. We are up on top now, with 1,000 meter drops on both sides, and wild views in all directions. The crew sets up the first position for the robot head that facilitates the camera’s panoramic, time-lapse photography. Jan and Daniel will stay up all night as we begin the first of 20 time-lapse sessions. A Land Cruiser’s battery is powering the filming operation, and we park it as far away as the power cables’ length will allow, about 40 meters. We wrap the camera and weigh it down, then do a set of final checks. Already the wind is gusting at this altitude, and the temperature is dropping fast. Leaving Jan and Daniel, the rest of us descend and relax a little before searching for our second location: a Mars-like rockscape that includes both volcanoes and a sandy, flat valley with camels grazing. We set the second camera with another vehicle, as Sasha and Mark prepare to work through the night, running the engine as required to keep batteries charged for the camera gear and continuously checking everything. The rest of us head back to the camp. In my tent, I can feel that the ground is very hard, and soon the night becomes cold and damp. It is freezing, or very close to it, as light starts to color the sandy sides of the volcano. Day 3 – November 22 At 5:30 a.m. I light the fire, boil water and wonder how the guys are after the first night just beyond the limits of walkie-talkie range. Coffee: instant. What a novelty! Sun’s up and heating fast. Filming goes on until dusk, which marks 24 hours. We move the second camera to a position on the black lava and start up for another 24 hours. Night descends and stars and clouds appear, which is great for the time-lapse stills as perfectly clear skies are monotonous. Dimensions International 19 The most intense concentration of work for the camera operators is during dusk and dawn, as they alternately open up and close down the aperture to keep the exposure transitions smooth. Day 5 – November 24 Transit day. We pack up camp and pick up the camera crews. We are all tired, as we have slept maybe two to three hours in the cold, in hopes of getting the best footage in as many sites as possible. When in nature, time is of the essence. We find two camel skeletons, and salvage one skull. The brain cavity is intact and full of sand. The skull is broken, but will do well as a memory of these remarkable desert creatures. The saying goes, whenever you see a camel, the owner is not far away. This, apart from those abandoned carcasses, proves to be true the further out we travel. We are on the way to Al-‘Ula Desert, and the plain, wide road stretches out beside a new highway under construction — something I always find sad. Grey-green Neoproterozoic greenstone rock gives way to red sandstone as we descend from the mountain plateau and into the many valleys of the Al-‘Ula area. Al-‘Ula oasis is located in the verdant Wadi Al-Qura, or “Valley of Villages,” approximately 110 km southwest of the modern city of Tayma, and 380 km north of Medina. Al-‘Ula City is known for its fertile land, abundance of water resources and farming. Sandy mountains surround it to the east and west. The Al-‘Ula Mountains are considered a natural extension of the Asawarat chain that extends more than 2,500 km north to south in Saudi Arabia. Al-‘Ula and the historic site of Madain Saleh lie over a large underground water reservoir, which is known in geological terms as Al-‘Ula Basin. According to historical and archaeological studies, its history dates back to the 6th century BCE. Al-‘Ula is noted in ancient manuscripts and works of the Dedan Kingdom. The carved sandstone cliff faces of Madain Saleh are just 20 km away. Madain Saleh has duly earned the title “The Capital of Monuments” among Saudi Arabia’s 4,000 archaeological sites. We find a superb position, with dramatic cliff rock faces on two sides, desert dunes and plains on the other sides. The full moon is due, so this will produce a superb night-lit landscape. We set one camera in the valley and the other up on a cliff, with high, narrow views to capture all angles. We have cable trouble, and must drive all over the place to get replacements. As a result, car lights will flash in the footage tonight, much to the retouch technician’s agitation. We need the cables to transfer the relentless stream of data from each exposure: one 360 degree exposure per second during the day and one every 5 seconds at night. We hide the cables and sweep the desert free of tracks. Day 6 – November 25 Day 2 of the Al-‘Ula shooting. As you can imagine, almost nothing stirs during the day, but at night the animals come out to feed, hunt and play. Each morning I look for tracks around our campsite and always find the beautiful choreography of multiple legs dancing across the sand. Scorpions and snakes are easily the most expressive, with their sideways signatures. Day 7 – November 26 We leave Al-‘Ula on another smooth, quiet highway. About 200 km later, we start to descend, curving down into rocky desert plains. We stop at a small town to refuel, making an essential visit to the general store, which contains all that is available for miles. Photo of Al-‘Ula valley. 20 Dimensions International Day 9 – November 28 TOP A close up of the Star Dunes Rub’ al-Khali. BOTTOM Longitudinal patterns caused by the wind at the Star Dunes in the Rub’ al-Khali. The rocky desert gives way to valley and then streambed. Water with tall reeds and green foliage lines the road. Birdsong echoes off the red sandstone walls, which are so soft that they have been carved into expressive surfaces by the wind and occasional rain. We find a quiet location amid palms in the dry streambed, surrounded by monumental valley walls. Hundreds of flies land on our salty skin. We set the time-lapse robot head cameras up for 24 hours and relax in the fertile river valley. Nearby, herds of goats and juvenile camels are guarded by a dog that barks all night long. We find a vivid green scorpion, Buthacus yotvatensis — a highly poisonous species found in deserts and other arid, sandy areas. It is characteristically slight in build, with long, slender appendages, fairly small pincers and a tail that is relatively thick compared to its body size. I also collect black beetles. They use their long legs to lift their bodies well clear of the hot ground, and increase the clearance as the temperature rises. We arrange an insect shoot that will be stitched into the film later. I find insects under rocks and slowly wake them for their curtain calls. At the Saudi Aramco airport in Dammam, we haul in the all the gear and bags, and watch the surprised faces of the check-in staff. Soon we are airborne, on the way to Shaybah in the vast Rub’ al-Khali for the last leg of our journey. The Shaybah oil field is a super-giant Saudi Arabian oil field, located at the northern edge of the Rub’ al-Khali. We pack the four-wheel drive vehicles with water, fuel and such desert gear as multiple spare tires, in order to safely make this 850 to 900 km leg to the star dunes. We stock up at what looks like the last gas station on earth. It looks like a scene out of Mad Max. Off we go into the late afternoon following Paul on the Kidar rig road into the great nowhere. Long plumes of fine dust engulf the trailing vehicles. In a superb display of navigation, Paul drives us off the road for many, many miles in the star dune area in complete darkness, using his GPS and desert knowledge. The drive is quiet and calm, and Paul is unflappable. He often tells the others to slow down because after all, we are way beyond any help — apart from a satellite call for a helicopter rescue. There is no moon. The night is utterly black apart from the night sky with millions of stars. We stand in awe of the beauty of the space scene. Day 10 – November 29 We camp in a hollow and wake to the utterly magnificent scenery. High star dunes surround us on both flanks. We perch on the edge of a vast flat salt plain. The salt deserts — sabkhas — are the bleached floors of long-gone lakes and seas, thick mud covered in a glaring crust of salt. These are notoriously harsh and treacherous environments, supporting little or no life. Silence surrounds us. There is no wind at all, no scent, and we feel better as the sun rises after the cool night. The day gets hotter and hotter, and at midday we relieve the crews and replace batteries and cables where required. The light is so harsh by noon that my eyes feel like they are bleeding. Shade is essential, and the vehicles are our life support as we await the coming of the cool and breezy evening. We stay one more night in the same area, and filming continues around the clock. Our final day arrives and we continue the time-lapse filming until late morning. We drive out of the salt plain and then back on the rig road. On the way back to our return flight back to Dhahran, we pause for a break and relax, watching the sun set over a train of camels as they move off into the distance. For more information about the future museum in the King Abdulaziz Center go to: http://en.kingabdulazizcenter.com Dimensions International 21 SAUDI ARAMCO JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE PA R T N E R T O S T R E N G T H E N H E A LT H C A R E SERVICES IN SAUDI ARABIA By Salam A. Al-Jishi Wi t h t h e Ju n e 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 , a g r e e m e n t s i g n e d b y t h e m a n a g e m e n t o f S a u d i A r a m c o a n d Jo h n s Ho p k i n s Me d i c i n e ( J H M ) , a h i s t o r i c j o i n t v e n t u r e , Jo h n s Ho p k i n s A r a m c o He a l t h c a r e ( J H A H ) , w a s b o r n . Th e p r o m i s e o f t h a t n e w institution, as an agile organization raising the standard of health care in the Kingdom, i s a l r e a d y b e i n g f e l t i n t h e e xc i t e m e n t a n d enthusiasm of employees and in the broader community that JHAH serves. “O ver the last 80 years, Saudi Aramco doctors and nurses have served the medical needs of employees and family members. Now, with Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) as a joint venture partner, we will set an even higher standard for future generations," said Abdulaziz F. Al-Khayyal, former senior vice president of Industrial Relations, during the Joint Venture Agreement signing. “This is a logical step in our company’s transformation and demonstrates our ongoing 22 Dimensions International commitment to our people.” The agreement was signed on June 23, 2013, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, by Al-Khayyal and Paul B. Rothman, M.D., dean of the medical faculty and CEO of JHM. As part of Saudi Aramco’s 2020 Strategic Intent and the Accelerated Transformation Program, Saudi Aramco’s goal is to become an agile organization that is one of the most respected employers globally. Health care is an important factor in achieving that goal. Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare board members during the gala dinner celebration on January 27, 2014. Photo by Ali Al-Ahsaei " Together, we will be greater than the sum of our parts, because this joint venture combines Saudi Aramco’s existing health system with the transformative science, clinical care and education that Johns Hopkins is known for. " — Dr. Paul B. Rothman, dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) Saudi Aramco Health Care Achievements nered with the Harvard School of Public Health in efforts that significantly reduced trachoma in the country. Since its founding as the Standard Oil Co. of California (Socal) The company also launched nurse training programs at its in 1931, the company now known as Saudi Aramco has been Dhahran Health Center in the early 1950s that offered nursing dedicated to the health and well-being of not only its employdiplomas. Moreover, it also provided scholarships for some of its ees and their dependents, but also the people of the Kingdom graduates to pursue advanced studies at the American University of Saudi Arabia. of Beirut and in other In the 1940s, accredited institutions. the renamed AraOver the years, bian American This partnership will result in a comprehensive Saudi Aramco, often Oil Company in partnership with transformation to further enhance our health (Aramco), the prethe government, adcare standards, and marks the beginning of a new decessor to Saudi vanced the quality Aramco, worked level of care with new lines of treatment, new and of health care in the to educate people Kingdom. Programs enhanced specialties and subspecialties. It will on how malaria is included enrolling also enable new forays into research and medical transmitted and Saudis in prominent how to use insecU.S. medical schools, education as well as create opportunities for ticides to reduce conducting youth education and training of medical staff. its spread. At health awareness and — Abdulaziz F. Al-Khayyal, former senior vice president the time, malaria education programs, was one of the acquiring internaof Industrial Relations at Saudi Aramco Kingdom’s largest tional health care health challenges. accreditation and The anti-malaria campaign proved a success, and was supporting community health initiatives. handed over to the government, which extended the cam“Saudi Aramco, a company whose principal pursuit paign across the Kingdom. As a result, malaria was virtually is not health care, has built a great foundation in health eradicated in Saudi Arabia by the end of the 1950s. care. To couple that with the intellect and expertise from Another serious health issue that confronted the Kingdom Johns Hopkins to build a great health care system is a very at that time was trachoma, a bacterial infection of the eyes unique opportunity,” said Keith Vander Kolk, CEO, Johns that can lead to blindness. In the 1950s, the company partHopkins Aramco Healthcare. " " Dimensions International 23 SAUDI ARAMCO HEALTH CARE MILESTONES (1936-1964) 4 1936: T.C. Alexander, M.D., hired 4 1956: Saudi government takes 4 1941: Anti-malaria campaign 4 1956 – 1957: Aramco builds a in Dhahran as first physician. First clinicin the region opened. begins. 4 1942: Start of medical program. 4 1944: Ras Tanura Refinery opens, followed by the opening of the Ras Tanura Clinic. 4 1948: Opening of Aramco operated clinics, infirmaries, a pharmacy and hospitals (205 total bed capacity). 4 Early 1950s: Nurse training JHAH physiotherapist assisting a patient with a broken leg. Photo by Hatim Oweida programs begin. Graduates earn nursing diplomas. 4 1955: Aramco Medical Department and Harvard School of Public Health partner to study trachoma. over malaria control program in the Eastern Province. 263-bed hospital in Dhahran and 32-bed hospitals in Abqaiq and Ras Tanura. 4 1957: Aramco Medical Department hires its first industrial hygienist. 4 Late 1950s: Malaria is virtually eradicated. 4 1963: Aramco Medical Department hires its first occupational health physician. 4 1964: Najat Husseini, first professional Saudi woman employee, is hired. Husseini worked initially as a health educator. ABOUT JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) is a $6.7 billion integrated global health enterprise and one of the leading academic health care systems in the United States. JHM unites physicians and scientists of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with the organizations, health professionals and facilities of The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System. JHM’s vision, “Together, we will deliver the promise of medicine,” is supported by its mission to improve the health of the community and the world by setting the standard The front of the Dhahran Health of excellence in medical education, research and clinical Center after the unveiling of the care. Diverse and inclusive, JHM educates medical students, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare scientists, health care professionals and the public; conducts (JHAH) logo. Photo by Hatim Oweida biomedical research; and provides patient-centered medicine to prevent, diagnose and treat human illness. JHM operates six academic and community hospitals, four suburban health care and surgery centers, and more than 35 Johns Hopkins Community Physicians sites. The Johns Hopkins Hospital, opened in 1889, was ranked No. 1 in the nation for 21 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report. For more information about JHM, its research, education and clinical programs, and for the latest health, science and research news, visit www.hopkinsmedicine.org. 24 Dimensions International JHAH’s primary objective is to raise the quality of patient care. This will be accomplished through Performance Elevation Programs, specialized training and knowledge transfer programs, and increased operational efficiency. These improvements will allow JHAH to expand its company operated facilities operations to bring in more Saudi Aramco eligible medical recipients from contracted medical facilities. JHAH Inauguration On January 28, 2014, Saudi Aramco and JHM inaugurated JHAH in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. At the inaugural dinner, Khalid A. Al-Falih, president and CEO, Saudi Aramco, called JHAH “a significant milestone in the transformation of medicine and health care in the Kingdom.” Saudi Aramco and JHM each have an indirect ownership interest in the Saudi registered company. The health care joint venture brings together Saudi Aramco’s long established health care delivery system and its approximately 350,000 beneficiaries and the world-renowned clinical, education and research expertise of JHM. “The pride that we take in the historic achievements of Saudi Aramco’s Medical Services Organization is matched only by our excitement about the pioneering potential of Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, and the confidence that we all have that this organization will be transforming the future, just as its parents transformed the past,” said Al-Falih. JHAH will fuel clinical innovation, serve as a model of health care in the Kingdom and contribute to the development of the country’s health care in alignment with Saudi Aramco’s commitment to enabling growth, opportunities and diversification within the Kingdom’s economy. “This partnership will result in a comprehensive transformation to further enhance our health care standards, and marks the beginning of a new level of care with new lines of treatment, new and enhanced specialties and subspecialties. It will also enable new forays into research and medical education as well as create opportunities for education and training of medical staff,” said Al-Khayyal. Khalid A. Al-Falih, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, speaks during the gala dinner celebration on January 27, 2014. Photo by Ali Al-Ahsaei Dimensions International 25 Keith Vander Kolk, CEO of Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH). A respiratory therapist provides treatment to a patient at JHAH. Photo by Yara Ziyad ABOUT KEITH VANDER KOLK, CEO, JHAH Keith Vander Kolk brings a breadth of health care leadership experience — including hospital administration, population health, and building startups — to the joint venture. He has led operations at Pender Community Hospital, Siouxland Regional Cancer Center and Sierra Military Health Services (SMHS), a health care company that operates in a 13-state region in the U.S. Since 2009, he has served as vice president of employer health programs for Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM), where he has been responsible for the overall management of self-funded employee health plans across all Johns Hopkins’ entities. “It is invigorating to stand here knowing that together we will write the next exciting chapters. It may seem like a subtle difference, but you are now part of a company dedicated exclusively to health and wellness. Now, our focus from top to bottom is providing innovative, integrated and patient-centered care to Saudi Aramco’s employees and health care beneficiaries. We will achieve this by implementing the enhancement of clinical and quality care programs and will ensure sustainability through training and education.” — Keith Vander Kolk, CEO, JHAH, during the inauguration ceremony on January 28, 2014. 26 Dimensions International JHAH hires expert professionals from all around the world. Photo by Hatim Oweida “Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare will become an incubator for clinical and scientific progress and will address some of the region’s most pressing health challenges, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions, which are on the rise worldwide,” said Rothman. In 2017, JHAH will expand and open an 80-bed hospital and specialized clinics in Al-Hasa, which will bring the health care of approximately 26,000 eligible medical recipients back from medical designated facility hospitals to JHAH facilities. “It is a privilege for us to collaborate with Saudi Aramco to carry forth its commitment to improving the health of its employees,” says Steven J. Thompson, CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine International. “Doing so will be mile one on a long journey to enhance the wellbeing of the entire community, and represents a nextgeneration approach to global collaborative health care.” The Future Over the coming years, this global collaboration will contribute significantly to health and well-being in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. JHAH will evolve into a center of excellence that provides enhanced services, research and education that address some of the most significant health care challenges in the region. “Together, we will be greater than the sum of our parts, because this joint venture combines Saudi Aramco’s existing health system with the transformative science, clinical care and education that Johns Hopkins is known for,” said Rothman. JHAH operates 48+ Remote Area Clinics, staffed by a third-party contractor, providing around the clock emergency medical support to all Saudi Aramco employees in remote areas. Epic at JHAH: An ambitious program takes its first step JHAH has taken the first step toward implementing Epic, an Electronic Health Care Record system, which is widely regarded as an industry best practice. Implementing Epic is an ambitious program that will be executed over three to four years. Epic organizes patient information, provides suggested actions and guidance to caregivers and coordinates care across multiple specialty settings. It connects all caregivers to a single record for each patient so informed medical decisions based on the most up-todate information can be made. Partner Contribution Agreement Programs (PCAs) JHAH strives to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases. Photo by Mahdi Alali A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO CONTROLLING MERS-COV JHAH collaborated to support the efforts to prevent and control the spread of MERS-CoV. JHAH teams were on-site to make recommendations at hospitals in Jiddah, Riyadh and Makkah. As part of JHAH’s involvement, members of a multidisciplinary team from JHM served in a scientific advisory capacity to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health to engage with the international scientific community to orchestrate MERS-CoV research. Partner Contribution Agreements (PCAs) are 16 programs that will be actioned in the next three years. Abdulaziz F. Al-Khayyal (left), former senior vice president of Industrial Relations at Saudi Aramco, and Dr. Paul B. Rothman, dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, applaud as they watch the new Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare banner unveiled during the inauguration ceremony on January 28, 2014. Photo by Yara Ziyad These programs are underway and represent the synergy of Saudi Aramco’s existing strong health care system with Johns Hopkins’ transformative science and clinical care. Working with JHAH staff, Johns Hopkins is contributing expertise to achieve the enhancement of clinical and quality care programs with training and education to ensure sustainability. If you are interested in a career opportunity with JHAH, send your CV to: [email protected]. Dimensions International 27 abbrev. Saudi Aramco news in brief Shaybah wows international delegation SHAYBAH, SAUDI ARABIA — All that you have read or may read about Shaybah, the Desert Rose in red sand sea, will not give you an experience similar or even close to being physically in Shaybah. It is true what they say: “Seeing is believing.” This was the feeling of more than 90 diplomats from around the world who were welcomed by Saudi Aramco at the Diplomats and their wives take time out from their tour of the Shaybah facility and surrounding area to pose for a photo on one of the famous red dunes in the Rub’ al-Khali. The short visit to Shaybah, which lasted the international children’s medical char- for a few hours, was enriching and included ity “Operation Smile” during their three a number of presentations from some of week Operation Smile Read-a-thon. Saudi Aramco’s young employees. First started in February 2012, the The ambassadors then were given the annual read-a-thon is a service learning opportunity to have a close look at some project open for all third-graders at the of Shaybah’s facilities. Finally, they climbed Hills School. The charity that the children the sands with their formations and pictur- raised money for Operation Smile is one esque colors at the sunset, concluding a of the world’s leading children’s charities. memorable day. Operation Smile Working in more than 60 countries, they mobilize medical professionals and volunteers to provide safe, effective reconstructive surgery and related medi- Shaybah field as they glanced upon its distinguished dunes, fascinating sands DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA — Dhahran Hills cal care for children born with cleft lips, and colorful waves of the Rub’ al-Khali School third-graders recently raised the cleft palate and other facial deformi- (Empty Quarter). staggering sum of SR52,500 ($14,000) for ties. This year’s third-grade class raised 28 Dimensions International Dhahran Hills third-graders enthusiastically participated in the Operation Smile Read-a-thon. Through their efforts, the students raised SR52,500 ($14,000) that went toward providing medical care for youngsters born with cleft palates, cleft lips and other facial deformities. Saudi Aramco by saying “the invaluable support from the Kingdom will help our enough money to fund 56 life changing surgeries for children in need. Combining the Saudi Aramco Expatri- On May 29, Shiroishi City in Miyagi, supplying energy and warm foods in of the stations by inviting an Aramco Asia- case of natural disasters in the future.” ate School system’s emphasis on civic Japan team headed by Ahmed Alkhunaini duty and literacy, the Operation Smile as special guest of Mayor Koujo Kazama. Read-a-thon is a unique project that During the ceremony at the newly built allows children to improve their reading Disaster Control Center where the LPG skills while making a positive impact on Station is installed, Kazama expressed the the world. city’s appreciation to Saudi Arabia and Aramco Asia-Japan builds emergency LP gas supply stations TOKYO, JAPAN — The Japanese government and the LPG industry completed the Saudi Emergency LP Gas Relief Program earlier this year after extending support to about 50,000 families affected by the earthquake/ tsunami disaster of March 2011. township ensure immediate actions of Tohoku inaugurated the completion of one Koujo Kazama, mayor of Shiroishi City, right, and Ahmed Alkhunaini, representative director of Aramco Asia-Japan, pose in front of the newly installed LP Gas Emergency bulk storage. Designed to assist in the case of a catastrophic emergency, Alkhunaini said, “I sincerely hope that we never need to activate this emergency station.” Workshop focuses on drilling ahead of bit AL-KHOBAR, SAUDI ARABIA — “Drilling Ahead of Bit” was the theme of an intensive, one-day workshop held recently in al-Khobar that brought together more than 50 subject matter experts from oil and gas operations, service companies, academic institutes and advanced IT solution providers. Co-sponsored by Saudi Aramco’s Drilling and Workover and the Petroleum Engineering Application Services Department, in conjunction with the Society of Petroleum Engineers-Saudi Arabia Section (SPE-SAS), the workshop’s main objective was to discuss ahead of bit The Japanese side, in coordination prediction challenges, techniques and with Aramco Asia-Japan, is building up best practices with experts in the busi- emergency LP gas supply stations in 24 ness of drilling optimization. townships in affected areas as Phase II of Drilling ahead of bit includes the the Saudi supported program in prepara- establishment of a set of solutions that tion for potential disasters in the future. allow drilling engineers to forecast A standard unit consists of a 300 kg drilling operation behavior in advance. propane bulk storage tank along with The new “smart” initiative has been pro- LPG driven cookers, heaters, power posed and approved by Saudi Aramco’s generators and illuminators. Upstream business line. Dimensions International 29 make a difference in the outcome and will dictate where the child moves on the ASD spectrum.” The campaign created an opportunity for parents with autistic children to engage medical professionals and health care specialists and discuss medical treatment options and to learn where support is available. It allowed others to learn about this often misunderstood disorder. Participants in the Drilling Ahead of Bit Workshop discuss solutions to potential problems during one of the sessions. The main objective of the initiative is to children is important,” said one attendee, empower drilling engineers by providing “and knowing who to turn to for support them with the required environment and and help is even more important.” This Remote-sensing breakthrough aids in tracking spills tools, such as drilling operation simula- event was designed to help the nearly 400 TANAJIB, SAUDI ARABIA — Saudi tors, plan adjustment/optimization while people who attended to learn about both. Aramco has achieved a breakthrough by drilling, trouble prediction and mitigation, and real-time advisory systems. Experts and attendees spent the day discussing several drilling ahead of According to the Centers for Disease applying an advanced combination of Control and Prevention, about 1 in 68 remote-sensing technologies to develop children in the world are identified with an a cost-effective solution for detecting, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This rate monitoring and verifying. bit challenges, such as drilling trouble is an alarming 30 percent higher than the symptoms and techniques to reach the previous estimate reported in 2012. “With Department, the eMap Division from optimum drilling parameter boundaries. These questions were discussed and answered within subgroups led by discussion leaders. Then, each group presented and shared their answers and ideas with all participants. The remainder of the workshop was a series of questions followed by group discussion, with some of the questions based on the participant’s vision of the drilling ahead of bit concept, a list of potential obstacles and challenges they expected to face, and determining how to make this concept a reality. Campaign helps raise awareness of autism DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA — Autism Awareness month recently ended. What did you learn? If you had attended the Medical Services’ “A Better World for Autism” event held in May at Al-Midra Building, you would have come away well informed. “Knowing how to deal with autistic 30 Dimensions International Based on a request from the Marine the accelerating rate of autism among Information Technology (IT) performed children all over the world, we need to a pilot project for early detection and work harder and smarter,” said Dr. Amel monitoring of offshore oil spills. Al-Awami, pediatrician. An autism diagnosis affects not only the The analysis can classify the reported oil spills into two confidence levels of child; it affects the entire family. “Early high and low, to support the Marine recognition of the signs of autism that leads Department’s assessment and oil spill to early diagnosis and early intervention is recovery procedures. the main goal of any awareness campaign,” added Al-Awami. “Early intervention can “This technology will help Saudi Aramco fulfill its obligation with respect Saudi Aramco employees ask questions of various Medical Services staff during the “A Better World for Autism” held May 1 at the Al-Midra Building complex in Dhahran. Members of the eMap Division from Information Technology (IT), together with members from the Marine and Aviation departments and specialists from the King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology, gathered recently at Tanajib to perform a pilot project for early detection and monitoring offshore oil spills in the Safaniyah area. three-week course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The course, “Fundamentals of Reservoir Simulation,” sought to introduce upstream mathematical simulation challenges to select students and strengthen the research partnership Saudi Aramco has established with MIT. It was the second course Dogru delivered since his selection as an MIT visiting professor in July 2012. His course attracted over 40 students from various MIT departments, most of whom were graduate students from to oil spill response preparedness and avoiding waste is among the company’s protecting marine environment as it initiatives designed to boost the Kingdom’s engineering along with some postdoctoral economy, but the challenge is apparent. fellows. The course was organized by the operates in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea,” said Marine Department manager Bader Ghouth. The CEO further emphasized that energy preservation is a long journey that starts university’s Computational Design Laboratory of Aerospace Engineering Department. with small steps, but that Saudi Aramco, Exhibit illuminates an improved path to energy conservation through its various efforts, has made several giant steps on this road as the numerous awareness campaigns conducted inside and outside the company have made significant contributions. Starting with DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA — With itself, the company replaced all light bulbs the participation of 14 international in its community with energy saving LEDs. companies that specialize in energy conservation solutions, the 1st Saudi Aramco Lighting Efficiency Exhibit was held earlier this year in the company’s Core Area in Dhahran. Khalid A. Al-Falih, president and CEO, Fellow Ali Dogru teaches reservoir simulation course at MIT inaugurated the event. “This might be BOSTON, MA, U.S.A. — Saudi Aramco’s a small step on the energy conserva- first Fellow, Dr. Ali Dogru, chief technolo- tion road, but it is a major step toward gist of Computational Modeling Technol- changing the society’s prevailing culture ogy at the Exploration and Petroleum toward one of preserving its resources.” Engineering Center – Advanced Research Al-Falih said preserving energy and Center (EXPEC ARC), recently instructed a Ali Dogru lectures to students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during his “Fundamentals of Reservoir Simulation” course. “Typically, we were expecting about 10 graduate students, but we were pleasantly surprised by the larger Khalid A. Al-Falih tours the various booths with Abdulrahman F. Al-Wuhaib, senior vice president of Downstream, and other members of management and employees after inaugurating the 1st Saudi Aramco Lighting Exhibit held in the company’s Core Area in Dhahran. turnout,” said Dogru. “We had graduate students from a wide spectrum of disciplines, including civil and environmental engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics and two from the Earth Sciences Department.” Students attended lectures two hours daily, four days a week, with programming homework assignments. Dimensions International 31 Raising R&D’s profile in Detroit DETROIT, MI, U.S.A. — Participation in this year’s Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress & Exhibition in Detroit, Michigan, was a first for Saudi Aramco and its U.S. subsidiary Aramco Services Co. (ASC) as the company raises its profile in the areas of engine and fuel technologies, and looking closely at their interface. This conference, held in the historic heart of the American automotive industry, brings together the best talent to discuss a broad range of issues impacting industry and shaping its future. Exhibitors are carefully selected from an application process requiring a technol- Researchers from Aramco Research Center-Detroit and Saudi Aramco’s Research and Development Center share information about their program with SAE attendees from various segments of the automotive industry. The Detroit center is one of three research booth at the Saudi Arabian General centers in the U.S. designed to complement Investment Authority (SAGIA) exhibi- the expanding global research network and tion that was held in Tokyo and Osaka capability of Saudi Aramco. recently. The theme of the exhibition was “Invest Saudi,” where AAJ detailed Aramco Asia-Japan supports company business events the commodities currently available for localization and presented the incentives that investors would enjoy if they operate as local manufacturers. ogy profile highlighting the innovation and solutions the exhibitor brings to the TOKYO, JAPAN — Saudi and Japanese industry and end-users of transportation. businessmen gathered recently at the 18th Researchers from the Saudi Aramco’s Saudi-Japanese Business Council event in Research and Development Center and Tokyo that was supported by Aramco Asia- Aramco Research Center-Detroit shared Japan (AAJ). with attendees their program and focus The Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship Cen- on engine technologies, fuel design and ter Company Ltd. (Wa’ed), a wholly owned strategic transport research. subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, delivered a pre- “Saudi Aramco’s fuels research strategy sentation to the more than 200 businessmen is designed to position oil-based fuels as present at the event. Einas Al Ashgar, Energy competitive enablers for future transport SME Development Group Leader of Wa’ed, solutions through treating the fuel and delivered an overview presentation about the the engine as one system to be optimized organization and its programs for supporting synergistically,” said Amer Amer, chief entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized technologist of Fuels Technology. “This enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia — an area strategy is currently being implemented valued as a key contributing engine for job at four geographic locations: Dhahran, creation within Saudi Arabia. Thuwal, Paris and Detroit.” Khalid A. Al-Falih (right), appearing alongside Total CEO Christophe de Margerie (far left) at the 15th International Oil Summit in Paris, spoke about building a world-leading downstream business through “new platforms” that require four key factors to ensure success. AAJ also organized the Saudi Aramco Downstream’s ‘new platforms’ highlighted Members of Wa’ed and AAJ pose at Saudi Aramco’s booth at the exhibition “Invest Saudi” in Tokyo. PARIS, FRANCE — Saudi Aramco’s ambitious downstream expansion came into focus at the 15th International Oil Summit in Paris where president and CEO Khalid A. Al-Falih addressed a packed audience alongside Christophe de Margerie, CEO of French energy major Total. Leaders from across the global oil industry, as well as the world’s media, listened as Al-Falih underlined Saudi Aramco’s credentials beyond upstream. 32 Dimensions International The Harley-Davidson Owners Group (Dhahran Chapter), Jubail and Safwa Bikers group were also in attendance, displaying and demonstrating their super motorcycles with fancy accessories and oversized noisy exhausts. Saudi Aramco takes center stage at U.K. Careers Fair LONDON, U.K. — Saudi Aramco, supported by affiliate Aramco Overseas Co. Local motorcycle and car enthusiasts pose for a photo at the Ras Tanura Car Show held recently in Ras Tanura. “We are in the process of building a world-leading downstream business that is both vertically integrated across the value chain and horizontally integrated across suitable geographies. Our goal is to add greater value to our hydrocarbon supplies, while building a more robust and resilient portfolio that can better withstand market turbulence,” he said. “We’re doing that through what I would call ‘new platforms’ for downstream business success, which I strongly believe represents the new model and way forward for this sector of our industry.” Al-Falih explained how Saudi Aramco Revving up in RT RAS TANURA, SAUDI ARABIA — “Amazing” was the word that was frequently expressed to sum up the car show held earlier this year in Ras Tanura. The community’s first car show was (AOC), made a strong impression during its inaugural participation at the annual U.K. Careers Fair. The Fair, which has run for a number of years, is designed for Saudi students who are nearing the completion of their studies at U.K. institutions. Held during the last weekend of March, about 3,500 students attended over the two days, visiting the 80 or so companies exhibiting. It was Saudi Aramco’s stand, under the branding of the company’s conducted by the RT Recreation Services Unit “Dream Big” recruitment campaign, in association with the “East Coast Corvette which proved the most popular. Club.” Held at the Almond Street Parking Lot, the show featured plenty of bouncy castles for children, prizes, refreshments, an array of cars on red carpets and motorcycles. About 1,000 people attended throughout “Saudi Aramco remains a premier choice for employment,” said Saud Gadran, administrator of Staffing Services at Saudi Aramco. “Through this event, we are trying to be proactive, meeting with candidates was strengthening its R&D program with a the event, and in addition to the latest and even before they graduate. Also, this is the technology agenda that incorporates both greatest cars from the East Coast Corvette first time we have officially partaken in a upstream and downstream. He made Club, there were also vintage cars from Al job fair in the U.K. and the first time AOC mention of the company’s research into Mozouk and community members’ specialty has been involved with this. From what advanced integrated fuel engine systems. cars on display. I’ve seen, they’re doing a great job.” DeMargerie, who spoke immediately after Al-Falih, said that technology would be the key to unlocking the potential of The Saudi Aramco presence at the U.K. Careers Fair attracted significant interest among potential job seekers. unconventional resources, which would “extend the oil and gas horizon.” Total’s chief also said the industry would have to move as one if it wanted to realize its efficiency and profitability targets. In keeping with the rest of the summit, both CEOs ended with a Q&A session in which Al-Falih stated that Saudi Aramco would maintain a daily crude oil production capacity of 12 million barrels and reiterated its commitment to unconventionals through $3 billion worth of investments. Dimensions International 33