Saudi Aramco Plays Major Role in SPE Event

NEW ORLEANS, October 28, 2009 -- Saudi Aramco’s reputation as an industry leader was reinforced by speeches, technical presentations, awards and recruiting activities at the Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

Held Oct. 4-7 in New Orleans, the event attracted more than 8,000 people, including about 50 representatives of Saudi Aramco and Aramco Services Co. (ASC).

“The annual SPE conference is always an excellent venue for pursuing professional development and networking opportunities,” said Ali Abuali, president and CEO of ASC, “and Saudi Aramco’s high-profile involvement at ATCE 2009 was especially productive.”

Mohammed Y. Al-Qahtani, Saudi Aramco’s executive director of Petroleum Engineering and Development, was a keynote speaker and panelist during the event’s Opening General Session, titled “Innovative Collaboration: What’s Next for NOCs, IOCs and Service Companies.”

Al-Qahtani highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships and the crucial role of technology in helping meet the world’s ever-increasing demand for hydrocarbon resources.

Later in the week, he delivered a speech titled “R&D Needs for the Upstream Industry” at an R&D Technical Section meeting.

“Saudi Aramco is currently engaged in more than 100 new technology projects, the majority of which are in collaboration with service companies, universities, national laboratories and others,” Al-Qahtani said.

“We expect this level of activity to be maintained for the foreseeable future,” he added. “Important focus areas for Saudi Aramco include seismic imaging, reservoir forecasting, advanced completions, drilling, and i-field infrastructure and processes.”

Also during the conference, Saudi Aramco’s upstream professionals presented 10 technical papers, including three e-posters. Three additional presentations on innovative upstream technologies were delivered at the company’s exhibit booth theater.

Saudi Aramco professionals also accepted four SPE awards for industry excellence: Salam Salamy and Hazim Abass were recognized as 2009 Distinguished Members, Hussain S. Al-Ramis achieved Century Club recognition for having recruited more than 100 new members, and Hiba Dialdin accepted Saudi Arabia’s SPE President’s Award for Section Excellence, presented to outstanding sections based on their innovative program and events conducted during the year.

ASC Staffing Services supported the company’s involvement in the conference, coordinating the company’s exhibit booth presentations and conducting interviews with engineers and others interested in Saudi Aramco career opportunities.