November 24, 2021 | Vol. LXXVI, No. 45 | a weekly Aramco publication for employees | |
YLAB Academy 8
Putting our brightest to the test
See
In the minds of the young is the future of Aramco.
- Amin Nasser, president and CEO
With diversity, you can | Diversity, Future of Work topics kickoff program |
See page 2 | |
enjoy different styles | |
and ways of thinking. It | |
helps you get rid of the | |
blind spots, or at least to | |
keep working at them. |
- Jane Fraser, Citigroup CEO
Taking care of | Aramco unveils | |||||||||||
our contractor | Central Park in | |||||||||||
employees' | the Heart of | |||||||||||
well-being | Dhahran | |||||||||||
See page 2 | See page 4 | |||||||||||
Download | ||||||||||||
aramco LIFE | ||||||||||||
today to stay | ||||||||||||
informed, and | ||||||||||||
more. | ||||||||||||
November 24, 2021 the arabian sun
Citigroup2 company news CEO talks team building, leading with empathy
By Rawan Nasser
formation, and more. Speakers include | |||||
COVID-19 impacts have been largely | Jane Fraser speaks | ||||
world-class thought leaders and ex- | |||||
during the most recent | |||||
negative, but Citigroup CEO Jane Fra- | perts from a number of global business | ||||
Executive Speaker Series | |||||
ser found something during the global | program. Fraser, who is | partners such as the Harvard Business | |||
pandemic worth holding on to: the cour- | the first woman to lead | School, the London Business School, and | |||
age to practice a new style of leadership | a major financial | Wharton. | |||
without compromising on excellence. | institution in the U.S., | ||||
emphasized leading | The first speaker to launch the series | ||||
Fraser was the most recent guest | with empathy, | ||||
something she has done | was Professor Lynda Gratton from the | ||||
during Aramco's Executive Speaker Se- | to help shape Citigroup | London Business School, who shared | |||
ries program. | into the company it is | her experience and perspective on "The | |||
today. | Future of Work." Gratton is currently a | ||||
During the pandemic, Fraser could see | |||||
professor of Management Practice at | |||||
the fatigue employees were experienc- | the London Business School where she | ||||
ing as a result of work spilling into their | directs the world's leading program on | ||||
personal time. To combat the fatigue, | human resources, "Human Resource | ||||
she implemented a cultural shift, ban- | Strategy in Transforming Companies." | ||||
ning video calls on Fridays, encourag- | |||||
ing employees to set healthy boundar- | lated. Fraser said women must be on- | would like to leave at Citigroup, Fraser | Gratton discussed how demography, | ||
ies, and allowing for hybrid and flexible | boarded fairly, and that hiring compa- | said it would be modernizing the com- | technology, globalization, society, and | ||
schedules. | nies must be careful not to miss out on | pany successfully. | energy resources continuously reshape | ||
Seeking competitive advantage | judgment. | dustries," she said, and she wants to use | dustries are expected to require com- | ||
opportunities or be unaware of their | the way we work. She noted that more | ||||
unconscious bias and how it affects their | "Digitalization is changing many in- | than one-third of all jobs across all in- | |||
The first female chief executive of Citi- | those developments to continue making | plex problem solving as one of their core | |||
group and first woman to lead a ma- | "With diversity, you can enjoy differ- | the 200-year-old institution relevant and | skills. | ||
jor financial institution in the U.S., she | ent styles and ways of thinking," she | adaptive. | |||
knows how hard it is to build a diverse | said. "It helps you get rid of the blind | Social skills such as persuasion, emo- | |||
team. | spots, or at least to keep working at | The Executive Speaker Series program | tional intelligence, and teaching others | ||
She noted that as women advance in | them." | consists of monthly sessions focused | will be in higher demand across indus- | ||
on emerging corporate topics such as | tries than narrow technical skills, such as | ||||
the business world, they are often iso- | When asked about what legacy she | sustainability, innovation, digital trans- | programming or equipment operation | ||
and control. |
AramcoHelping more thanprogram200,000 contractorslookslivetobetterenhancelives contractor well-being
Kingdomwide, there are more than 300 contractor camps, housing more than 200,000 contractors supporting company operations. Contractor's well-being is essential to their performance and covers physical, mental, and social health.
The Contractor Well-Being Program will enhance well-being within both the worksite and the accommodation through key deliverables, including introduction of compliance requirements, training, assessments, awareness resourc- es, and counseling services.
Improving contractor well-being delivers advantages at both the individual and corporate level. As such, the program's goals have been defined and include reducing accidents and injuries, reducing health care costs, improving productiv- ity, improving engagement, enhancing corporate reputation, and demonstrating corporate social responsibility.
The Contractor Well-Being Program will enhance well-being within both the worksite and the accommodation through key deliverables, including introduction of compliance requirements, training, assessments, awareness resources, and counseling services.
How to take the course
To date, more than 250 company and contractor employees who are engaged with contractors and their well-being have completed the train- ing. Eligible employees engaged with contractor camps and who are interested in taking the course can obtain more information by emailing "EP Contractor Well-Being" from the com- pany's Outlook.
covering mental well-being, stress management, task management, tobacco cessation, sleep, diabetes pre- vention, weight management, physical activity nutrition, and meditation.
• Online materials and resources to |
support the mental, physical, and so- |
cial well-being of Aramco contractor |
The program is administered and coordinated by Environmental Protection (EP), which sets standards and ensures compli- ance, provides training to company rep- resentatives, and develops resources. EP also works with proponent department representatives who interface with their assigned contractor company's staff to develop a well-being network of formal and informal representatives both within Aramco and the contractor workforce.
This network is key to ensuring that the contractor well-being program reaches every member of the company's contractor workforce.
Courses and resources
A key element in the development of this network has been the delivery by EP
of the QPR Gatekeeper Training Course (BET 40130707). The course teaches the evidence-based methodology of "Ques- tion, Persuade, and Refer," which prepares participants to detect potentially self-destructive behavior, to persuade subjects to refrain from self-harm, and to make referrals to a specialist for treat- ment.
Other mental health services are planned to be launched by year's end. This includes a 24/7 Mental Health Ho- tline and WhatsApp service for immediate help and support on suicide preven- tion.
This service will be offered in English, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Tagalog, Bengali, and Chinese languages. In conjunction with the mentioned hotline, a video mental health counseling platform has been
launched and will be availed through a web-based portal as well as a mobile application in native employee language.
Coming soon in 2022
After extensive trials and development of the program in collaboration with Project Management this year, EP plans to roll-out the program across the company in 2022. This will include expanding QPR training to cover all eligible propo- nents.
The coming year will also witness the implementation of additional services, including the following program elements:
- Well-beingawareness events across Aramco contractor camps addressing behavior change. This element will be delivered through health programs
employees. Resources will include |
best practice educational material |
offered in the employees' respective |
languages. |
• Physical or online well-being assess- |
ments conducted at Aramco con- |
tractor camps. The objective of these |
assessments is to evaluate the perfor- |
mance of the program and identify |
areas of success and opportunities for |
improvement. |
As 2021 comes to an end, EP will build on the success in the delivered accomplishments to launch the corporate roll out. EP remains focused on leading the way by implementing a world-class program that will ensure all contractor em- ployee's well-being, and support company performance and environmental, social and corporate governance rating.
the arabian sun November 24, 2021
8
CEO to YLAB | company news 3 | ||||||||
'In the minds of the young | |||||||||
Eamonn Houston | |||||||||
Byis the future of Aramco' | |||||||||
facing major corporations and the evolv- | |||||||||
Aramco president and CEO Amin | ing global landscape. | ||||||||
Nasser, encouraged 60 finalists in the | Investment strategy | ||||||||
selection process for next year's cohort | |||||||||
of the Young Leaders' Advisory Board | |||||||||
(YLAB) Academy to blaze a trail for the | He explained that the company's in- | ||||||||
company and lead it to a bright future. | vestment strategy would continue to | ||||||||
globally grow at pace, declaring, "We | |||||||||
Nasser offered words of encourage- | are counting on you." | challenges that the company will be fac- | tantly in all of you, we have the energy | ||||||
ment to the young employees hoping | ing." | and capabilities to deliver." | |||||||
to make it into the eighth 16-strong co- | "It shows your potential, to have | Technologies and partnerships | |||||||
hort of the academy. "In the minds of | reached this stage. The YLAB helps us, | With Aramco announcing its ambition | |||||||
the young is the future of Aramco," the | and guides us to the future of the com- | to reach net-zero in Scope 1 and 2 emis- | |||||||
president and CEO said. | pany - and the future of the company | sions by 2050, Nasser said that getting to | The CEO went on to say that new and | ||||||
is with you. Ultimately, you will be the | net-zero and achieving parallel growth | emerging technologies and partnerships | |||||||
A rigorous and intense selection pro- | leaders. Among you will be vice presi- | in our business, would require the bright | would play an increasingly big part in | ||||||
cess involving 1,000 initial applicants | dents, senior management, and CEOs. | minds of the future leaders participating | the company's future and would be key | ||||||
had brought the 60 to the final phase of | Over the past five years, we have wit- | in the YLAB Academy. | in further boosting competitiveness and | ||||||
the process at Dhahran's Upstream Pro- | nessed a significant transformation and | sustainable growth. | |||||||
fessional Development Center (UPDC), | the future will be very different, more | "Can you deliver? Considering the | |||||||
and featured three days of testing cor- | than what the company has done over | challenges and the opportunities ahead | Nasser added that the quality of Ar- | ||||||
porate challenges. | the past 85 to 90 years. | of us, we need to do it locally, but also | amco's youthful workforce made them | ||||||
Opportunities and challenges | globally," he said. "It will be a significant | highly sought-after employees. | |||||||
Nasser addressed the YLAB Acade- | undertaking and we are confident that | ||||||||
my hopefuls on the academy's opening | we have the talent to deliver, to grow | It is estimated that over two-thirds of | |||||||
day, and spoke to them at length about | "You know very well what's ahead of | our investments and businesses. There | the company's workforce is now aged | ||||||
what's expected of them, new re lities | you in ter s of opportunities, and the | are huge expectations, but more impor- | 35 r under. | ||||||
Eamonn Houston | Academy 8 puts brightest | challenges focused on areas of relevance | |||||||
YLABBy | to the test | ||||||||
to the industry, and to the world. Candi- | |||||||||
YLAB Academy 8 | |||||||||
Since its establishment 10 years ago, | encourages its | dates were encouraged to come up with | |||||||
participants to | |||||||||
the Young Leaders Advisory Board | solutions on some of the company's big- | ||||||||
develop solutions on | |||||||||
(YLAB) has set out on a journey to em- | some of the | gest management matters. | |||||||
power, engage, and inspire the youth | company's biggest | ||||||||
of Aramco, and to serve as a bridge be- | management matters, | This included sustainability, cost optimi- | |||||||
tween Generations Y and Z in the com- | including | zation, and strategies on the company's | |||||||
sustainability, cost | |||||||||
pany and senior management. | various businesses. | ||||||||
optimization, and | |||||||||
YLAB recognizes the criticality of con- | knowledge | Waleed A. Al Mulhim, executive direc- | |||||||
management. | |||||||||
tinuously engaging the youth of Aramco | tor of Petroleum Engineering and Devel- | ||||||||
on corporate, industry, and global chal- | opment and YLAB Academy 8 judging | ||||||||
lenges. Through both physical and virtu- | panelist, said: "The YLAB Academy chal- | ||||||||
al engagements, this autonomous body | lenges covered a wide range of the com- | ||||||||
supports the youth in becoming an active | pany's most critical focus areas. The lev- | ||||||||
resource toward solving these issues, and | el of depth and critical thinking that the | ||||||||
providing innovative ideas and solutions | can most closely be compared to a "boot | he said. | participants displayed is very impressive, | ||||||
that drive Aramco's strategic intent. | camp." | given the complexity and technicality of | |||||||
Executive speakers | Al Jaafari added that the assessment | the challenges." | |||||||
Through its deep dives into some of the | process was highly structured and would | ||||||||
company's biggest challenges, adviso- | give all candidates the opportunity to | The YLAB Academy is the ultimate | |||||||
ry services and various initiatives, YLAB | The event also hosted Aramco execu- | add value to their respective organiza- | learning experience for young employ- | ||||||
tackles these challenges, with the goal of | tive speakers, including Wail A. Al Jaa- | tions. | ees who are willing to put 110% into at- | ||||||
supporting the company in maintaining | fari, executive director of Southern Area | tempting to develop solutions for some | |||||||
its competitive edge in the industry and | Gas Operations, and Thomas W. Palmer, | "This is serious, this is so intensive, it is | of the company's biggest challenges. | ||||||
its position as the best place to work. | manager of the Executive Development | an assessment center that will assess your | Moreover, it gives them a glimpse into | ||||||
A place to test the best | and Compensation Department. | capabilities and give you the opportunity | the types of discussions that happen at | ||||||
to add beyond your organizations," he | the highest levels of management in the | ||||||||
The highlight for the finalists was an | said. "It is an intensive experience that | company, thereby preparing them for the | |||||||
The YLAB Academy provides a unique | engagement with Amin Nasser, president | will allow you to develop yourself and | future and getting them into a growth | ||||||
venue for young, motivated employees | and CEO. | to work in teams, which is very, very im- | mindset. | ||||||
to be challenged and stretched beyond | portant." | ||||||||
their limits and comfort zones. Every 18 | In his opening remarks, Al Jaafari wel- | Challenges | Faisal N. Nughaimish, chief drilling | ||||||
months, hundreds of young employees | comed the Academy hopefuls and high- | engineer and YLAB Academy 8 judging | |||||||
under the age of 35 apply for YLAB. With | lighted the importance of YLAB to the | panelist and YLAB 1 alumnus, explained: | |||||||
several filtrations and stages of assess- | company and the Kingdom. | The heart of the Academy lies in its | "To succeed as a young leader in the | ||||||
ment, only 60 people out of hundreds of | challenges, where participants are divid- | company, you must acquire a wide range | |||||||
applicants make it to the Academy, which | "Congratulations, you have been | ed into teams and assigned tasks, at ran- | of skills. The YLAB Academy, and ulti- | ||||||
is considered the final stage of a rigorous, | through the application and the inter- | dom, that speak to various corporatewide | mately, the YLAB experience, puts those | ||||||
comprehensive selection process. | view process and that is a milestone in | challenges. | skills to the test. Resilience, critical think- | ||||||
itself - this is an achievement in itself | ing, and the ability to effectively work in |
The Academy is a multi-day event that to be selected from 1,000 applicants," This time around, the YLAB 8 Academy a team are among those skills."
November 24, 2021 the arabian sun
4 company news
PromotiCentralg sustain bilityParkwithin Aramco'sincommunitiesthe Heart of Dhahran
By Dalia Darweesh
Northeast of the Dhahran Golf Course, | ||
the new Central Park was inaugurated | ||
by Community Services (CS). As part | ||
of its quest to improve the quality and | ||
well-being of Aramco employees and | ||
their families, CS envisioned developing | ||
an exceptional attraction that will fur- | ||
ther promote environmental sustainabil- | ||
ity for the Dhahran community. | ||
The Dhahran Central Park promises to | ||
provide an appealing social atmosphere | ||
combined with a deep sense for the en- | ||
vironment stewardship and a self-sus- | ||
tainable natural park. | Nabeel A. Al-Jama' officially launches the new | Dhahran Central Park in the presence of Fahad K. |
Al-Dhubaib and other members of management. The park strives to develop an ecological balance, | ||
The project was successfully complet- | improve the quality of life, and create a sustainable environment that preserves natural resources | |
ed within six months from inception de- | - emphasizing the global concepts of recycling and reusing. | |
spite the many challenges faced by the | ||
team, which included weather condi- | seats are made from used materials, and | 10 to 12 native flower varieties from the |
tions and a rugged dry landscape. | recycling bins are produced from recy- | Arabian Peninsula. The park helps mini- |
Promoting biodiversity | cled wood to promote a waste manage- | dependents on the different plant vari- |
mize carbon emissions and is an educa- | ||
ment framework. | tional resource for employees and their | |
The park strives to provide an inviting | The biodiversity of the Dhahran Cen- | eties. |
the preserving of natural resources | and Tilapia fish that are fed with mos- | The company's commitment |
space in an ecologically balanced, sus- | tral Park features local fauna of turtles | |
tainable environment that underscores | and frogs, in addition to the Gambusia | to sustainability |
while emphasizing recycling and reuse. | quitos and aquatic insects - prevent- | |
ing biological pests in the water. Over | Nabeel A. Al-Jama', senior vice pres- | |
This project was geared toward uti- | 250,000 m2 of rugged landscape was | ident of HR and Corporate Services, |
lizing the existing topography without | transformed using state-of-the-art xeri- | said, "This is a unique addition to the |
impacting any infrastructures. A grav- | scaping techniques that conserve irriga- | Dhahran community - as the team |
ity-flow stream supplies a continuous | tion resources while expanding vegeta- | expanded this small space with a wide |
free flow of water through the length of | tion and maintaining aesthetic appeal. | range of native species. We think it pro- |
freshwater to embody the recycling and | Toward a greener community | beautiful place, while living up to the |
the park without any mechanical parts. | vides a great opportunity for communi- | |
It uses treated sewage water in place of | ty residents and visitors to enjoy a very | |
reuse of resources. Low maintenance | With 16,000 native trees and shrubs | company's commitment to sustainabili- |
solar power for lighting is used, bench | planted in the park, there are between | ty." Al-Jama' continued, "This is only the |
beginning, as we will see more initia- | ||
tives and activities to make our commu- | ||
nities vibrant and thriving places - this | ||
will be our natural oasis in the heart of | ||
Dhahran." | ||
Fahad K. Al-Dhubaib, executive direc- | ||
A gravity-flow stream supplies a continuous free flow | tor of CS, shared, "We are in the busi- | |
ness of moving liquids - oil - from | ||
of water through the length of the park without any | ||
one place to the other. Over the years, | ||
mechanical parts. It uses treated sewage water in | ||
place of freshwater to embody the recycling and | Community Services accumulated the | |
reuse of resources. | knowledge of moving water to turn the |
Over the years, Community Services accumulated the knowledge of moving water to turn the desert into a green oasis. ...
Within three years' time, we will see the entire area alive and full of trees.
desert into a green oasis. The Dhahran Central Park showcases that know-how by bringing an appealing natural park to improve livability and elevate the quality of life. Within three years' time, we will see the entire area alive and full of trees."
Entertainment, alongside the green initiative, has been integrated at the park. Mohammad A. Al Sultan, general manager of CS, said, "Many green initiatives are located in remote areas, yet we wanted to bring it here in the community - with an objective of 65,000 native plants on completion."
Surrounded by the delightful sights and sounds of a water stream, Faisal F. Jindan, Central CS Department acting manager, shared, "Although Community Services has a long history of gardening and landscaping projects, the new Central Park is an uplifting addition to the Dhahran community, which will elevate the quality of life of our community us- ers."
The Dhahran Central Park will become lush green in a few years, whereby future generations will appreciate every moment spent in developing this heavenly place.
Your voice
Aramco: The falcon of the energy industry
By Bader W. Alkhaldi
Bader.Khaldi.3@aramco.com
Your Voice reflects the thoughts and opinions of the writer, and not necessarily those of the pub- lication.
This is the time of the year when mi- | with major challenges. The story of |
gratory birds pass through the King- | Dammam Well No. 7 - the Prosperity |
dom on their annual journey. I, like | Well - exemplifies this characteristic |
a number of people in the Kingdom, | clearly. |
particularly admire one of these birds | |
- the falcon. This creature has been | Today, we face the challenge of man- |
an integral part of the history of the | aging our carbon footprint, and we are |
Arabian Peninsula. | addressing it with a plan for persistence |
through our promising Greenhouse Gas | |
The falcon and Aramco share charac- | Emissions Management Program. |
teristics that are admirable and import- | |
ant for success: persistence, decisive- | In his book, Sun Tzu described how |
ness, and agility. | leaders should be like the falcon when |
faced with critical situations. "Like the | |
The falcon is amazing in its per- | well-judged flight of the falcon, in a |
sistence once its prey is spotted. It | flash crushing its quarry, so should the |
will attack the prey several times with | stroke be timed." |
varying techniques until it succeeds. | |
Similarly, history has shown how Ar- | Yes, this is how decisive and agile the |
amco employs persistence when faced | falcon is, and Aramco's leaders follow |
a similar pattern when confronting global challenges. For example, as a member of Information Technology (IT), I am proud about the decisiveness and agility IT took in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when we enabled all corporate employees to connect remotely as if they are at office, hosting meetings online. Tremendous efforts were exerted to achieve this result in a timely manner that honestly reminded me about how a falcon attacks its prey.
I have no doubt that Aramco and the falcon will continue sharing these three vital characteristics, and our adoption of the Digital Transformation Program will enable us to take these three characteristics to new success levels.
the arabian sun November 24, 2021
company news 5
IncreasingAutomatedinstallation efficiencycablein Marjan pulling tech saves time
By Abdulelah A. Bajandouh and Salem Kbaibah
Aramco's Marjan Increment Program, which is one of the biggest offshore development programs in the company's history, can be considered the biggest offshore development in the world right now.
As part of the program, a new Mar- jan Offshore Gas-Oil Separation Plant (GOSP-4) complex will be constructed as a record-breaking offshore complex in terms of size and production capacity.
Mega-scale construction
The development of the offshore GOSP will entail mega-scale construction works from all aspects and disci- plines. The new offshore GOSP complex will cover a staggering length of more than 1.2 kilometers (km) with six major platforms, 12 interconnecting bridges, and multiple deck levels with complex equipment distributed throughout the facility.
The project team estimates that the total length of the cables in the GOSP will be over 200 km.
This is more than the distance covered when traveling from Dammam to al Ho- fuf (or in an offshore prospective, it is almost 10 times the length of the King Fahd Causeway).
The team recognized the challenges associated with the work involved in
The new electrical cable pulling technology will be utilized in GOSP-4.
pulling and installing a large amount of cables in the offshore facilities. Following the traditional/manual cable pulling methods is time-consuming and can extend the project schedule, as many activities cannot begin before completing the cable pulling.
Resolving challenges
To resolve the challenges; the team scouted the construction technology knowledge base for a solution. After careful evaluation, an automatic cable pulling system was considered.
The new electrical cable pulling technology will be utilized in GOSP-4, and it will be expected to revolutionize the criticality of doing cable pulling work in the future.
This automated cable pulling system is an advanced method that uses smart
rollers during the cable pulling work between the platforms and across bridg- es, reducing the pulling duration while ensuring the cables' integrity and main- tainability.
The system is electrically operated with a control panel for monitoring and controlling the pulling speed and force. It consists of synchronized motors, air inflated rollers, controllers, power panels, and CCTVs.
Advanced technology
Badr M. Burshaid, Marjan & Zuluf Increment Projects Department manager, explained, "Nowadays, utilizing advanced technologies in construction is becoming a necessity and not a luxu- ry. GOSP-4 will be the biggest offshore facility ever built by Aramco. It will be massive from all aspects, and is there- fore, challenging to construct.
"If we continue executing the project following the traditional construction methods, we will set ourselves up to fail. That's why we keep challenging ourselves and our contractors to bring the best and most advanced construction technologies that will allow us to do the work as required," said Burshaid.
"This automated cable pulling technology is only one of many technologies that we have either deployed or are in the process of adapting in our construc- tion. This technology and others will
Nowadays, utilizing advanced technologies in construction is becoming a necessity and not a luxury.
- Badr M. Burshaid
preserve the project schedule, reduce cost, and allow us to execute the work safely and more productively."
The first utilization of the technology is expected during the platforms' fabrication in 2022 and will continue until the final cable pulling in 2024.
Increase in productivity
It is forecasted that the utilization of the automated cable pulling technology will significantly increase productivity while reducing the required manpower by 75%.
This will also lead to major safety risk avoidance as many of the cable pulling activities will take place offshore or while working at heights.
Collaboration spurs salt-in-crude analysis innovation
By Rima Ruhman
About half a decade ago, Aram- co's Research and Development Center (R&DC) went on a quest that would lead them to not only find an innovative solution for a pressing challenge for the North Ghawar Producing Department (NGPD), but create a new product that will be commercialized globally.
The new innovation addressed a challenge that has long plagued Aramco's onshore oil production teams - how to determine the real-time salt concentration in crude oil. Aramco standards require a maximum salt content of its export crude oil to be lower than 10 pounds per thousand barrels, because of the damage that salt can do to the equipment in refineries.
crude measurements allow a proactive approach to guarantee that the produced crude oil is within specification at all times.
But these analyzers weren't optimal.
A focus on automation, simplicity, and risk mitigation
NGPD and the R&DC joined hands with industry leader BARTEC and set out to develop a solution with an acute focus on automation, simplification, and risk mitigation.
The new salt-in-crude analyzer uses a solvent that has a much higher boiling point (ideal for the scorching heat of Saudi summers), reduces the consumption of solvent (from 90% solvent and
Working together with a vendor, Aramco's Research and Development Center and North Ghawar Producing Department developed a new salt-in-crude analyzer that is more efficient, safer, and automated.
NGPD grappled with the challenge of determining the accurate, real-time salt concentration in crude oil, improving the operational efficiency and safety, while keeping the capital expenses and operating expenses (OPEX) low.
Traditionally, salt concentration in crude oil is determined by electrometric methods governed by the American Society of Testing and Materials. These methods involve manually measuring conductivity of a homogeneous mixture - made by diluting a small volume of crude oil in three low boiling polar solvents. Continuous, real-timesalt-in-
10% oil to 50% solvent and 50% oil), improves the accuracy of the measure- ment, and can retrofit any commercial analyzer with minimal modifications. In addition, the simplified Aramco salt-in- crude analyzer requires minimal maintenance and calibration.
Khalid A. Buradha, Oil Operations superintendent at NGPD, said: "The technology represents a step forward in terms of operational efficiency. On the safety front; it eliminates operator's exposure to the hazardous chemicals required by the international practice and reduces the requirement of manually
sampling petroleum, a potentially unhealthy practice for operations person- nel."
The novel single-solvent based salt-in-crude analyzer is patented by Aramco and is manufactured and globally marketed by BARTEC ORB (www.Bartec.com) under a commercial license agreement facilitated by the Technology Strategy and Planning De- partment.
This technology was successfully proven at Shedgum Gas-Oil Separation
Plant-4 during six months of continuous operation, and is currently under deployment at Khurais, Zuluf, and Safaniyah facilities.
Simone Less, R&DC team lead, said we are dedicated to finding solutions that other companies may not even tackle because Aramco has far-reaching benefits in mind. He said: "Intangibles become tangibles in the long-term. Ar- amco sees the value in selling quality products that exceed current standards and to improve the industry best practices as whole."
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Saudi Aramco - Saudi Arabian Oil Company published this content on 24 November 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 24 November 2021 05:09:01 UTC.