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a weekly Saudi Aramco publicationSeptember 2, 2015 vol. LXX, No. 34
Researchers at the Aramco Fuel Research Center in Paris are focused on engine research and development designed to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. And while much of that work is based on the existing market fuels, they are casting an eye toward the future and the potential to develop new fuel and engine systems that are highly efficient, cleaner, and cheaper, but also use fuels that are easier to manufacture.
see page 3
OPEC basket
AUG 28
$
five-week price trend 2015
41.84
AUG 21
45.31
AUG 7 AUG 14JUL 31
47.65 47.2050.29
driving innovation
Saudi Aramco by the numbers
Traffic Safety School Kits were produced and distributed to young students Kingdomwide in 2014.
450,000Aramcon's award-winning taleBegan as a journal to share
with friends and family
to show the similarities of his home of
Najran to the area of the U.S. in which
he studied, Mohammed Al-
Mustaneer’s book landed him the
King Salman Prize for Young Authors.
see back page
message from the CEOreaching out with all we have to those impacted by the Radium compound fire
I am sure I speak for us all when I say that words cannot express the shock and sadness we feel at the tragic loss of life and injuries caused by the Aug. 30 fire at the Radium residential compound in al-Khobar. Our Aramco family lost one employee and nine dependents. Additionally, 83 people were injured and are currently being treated at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare and local hospitals. Our hearts go out to all those who are suffering. It is a pain we all share.
I have directed that all of our Company’s resources be made available to assist those who have been affected by the fire. As
well as providing urgent medical care, our immediate priority has been to relocate affected families to company housing and other suitable accommodations, and to cover other immediate personal needs such as communication devices, transportation, and other basic necessities. I know that many of you have already exhibited compassion by providing support to our affected colleagues.
We have established a 24/7 telephone hotline at +966(0)13 874-8000 for families, relatives, and friends who may have inquiries about the status of their loved ones. Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare has also
made available a team of specialists and counselors to help those affected through the recovery process. Representatives from our HR, Community Services, and Government Affairs organizations have also been assigned to provide full time support where the affected employees and families are located. This will be an ongoing process and we are committed to providing support.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by appropriate authorities, and I have assigned a member of our executive management to head a Saudi Aramco investigation team that will work with the
authorities to provide whatever support and cooperation is required and help ensure that a thorough and comprehensive investigation is conducted.
Finally, I would like to assure everyone that the safety of our employees and their dependents continues to be of paramount importance for us. Our Aramco family has suffered a terrible tragedy. But it is as a family that we will grieve together while assisting the victims as best we can.
Amin H. Nasseracting president and CEO
insidethis issue
see page 2
When it comes to safety, we are all
important as stakeholders and partners.
This was the message emphasised at a
recent meeting between safety personnel
and Downstream contractors.
embracing contractor safety
see page 7
when is a gift not a gift?
A gift shouldn't create a conflict of interest
for you. Remember, even the appearance
of buying influence can damage the
reputation of companies and employees.
September 2, 2015
2 company news
your voice
Poor driver behavior is a significant problem, but how can we control it?
First we ask: Why does anyone speed? Perhaps they believe driving this way displays a sense of strength and skill. Perhaps they like to speed — a major contributor to road deaths and injuries — because it gives them a sense of victory, excitement, etc.
But the roads are not designed for high speeds, and speeding is completely unadvisable even when a driver is skilled and trained. Speeding must be stopped.
If we understand those who engage in such behavior, we might be able to control speeding. We should talk to these people in their own language.
They don’t fear the consequences of speed. They believe their skill will save them from an accident. In this case, they should be reminded of the laws of physics, which mandate that if a car goes fast, it will require a longer distance to stop. Even if you don’t fear speeding, the car has limitations and will fail, leading to an accident if not driven properly.
If they think skill will save them, they should see how even race car drivers suffer fatal accidents because of high speeds.
A l so , s k i l l ed d r i ve r s t ake the environment into consideration —
whether it’s day or night, the condition of the road, the condition of the driver and other aspects. We don’t live in a perfect world. Hazards can exist anywhere at any time. (In these situations, speed will make you tense, and you are less likely to make the right decision.)
Traffic laws were put in place to make the roads a safe place to travel, and by having a driver’s license, you have agreed to follow those laws. Certainly there are some people who choose to break the law, who see it as for others but not for them. They believe they will not be held accountable by law enforcement, except when there are cameras at intersections, so it’s only then that they obey the rules.
What makes people willing to risk their lives for speed?
A normal person doesn’t take risks, recognizing that taking risks leads to accidents. He almost always drives safely and doesn’t contribute to accidents that that can do harm to others or himself. However, a reckless person disregards others because he thinks he is correct.
It is up to good drivers to prove them wrong. How do we do that? For one, statistics show how speeding and reckless driving can kill. People often learn from experience, but it is better
to learn without being involved in an accident.
Also, the consequence of taking risks — the sorrow and hardship — should be emphasized. Avoiding risk may delay you in the short term, but in the long-term, it makes one happier and more successful.
We must be aware of, and assess, risks in any given situation. We are responsible for our own actions, and not knowing the risks can lead to hardship and pain. This is true not only on the highways but in life in general. In finance, people find themselves in trouble because they fail to calculate risks.
To talk about it isn’t enough; we must show it in our actions. Make a habit of not taking risks, and don’t forget the consequences such risks can bring. If you are an adult — even a young adult — you are responsible for your actions. Your parents taught you right from wrong, your school taught you the same, and even when in doubt, it is always good to ask the right person what you should do.
Make your driving speak for your character. Reduce risk, reject bad behaviors, and drive safely. Your life, and the lives of those around you, depends on it.
respecting the laws of the road and the laws of physics
by Ali Wuhaibi
Riyadh
Your Voice reflects the thoughts and opinions of the writer and not necessarily those of the publication.
Gift giving is a growing concern for many companies, particularly in regions of the world where it is a culturally acceptable, and sometimes expected, business practice. While most gifts are given as genuine tokens of appreciation, they can sometimes have other purposes as well. When we are offered a gift in business, we should always ask a simple question: Is the gift intended to unfairly influence a business relationship? Knowing the correct answer isn’t always easy.
From a business perspective, a gift is defined as any goods, services, gratuities, or entertainment that is given to build or enhance bus iness partnerships, relationships, and goodwill. Saudi Aramco policy allows employees to only accept gifts of nominal value; for example, promotional items such as logo caps, mugs, and pens. Employees are required to report all other offers and acceptance of gifts to their supervisor. Incentives given to employees by Saudi Aramco, such as safety awards, are not considered gifts.
Saudi Aramco employees should never accept gifts when the gift is given as an
inducement to do business, when the donor expects something in return, or is attempting to gain an unfair advantage. In these circumstances, a gift could compromise an employee’s objectivity and create a conflict of interest. Examples include: airplane tickets, vacations, entertainment not related to business functions, gifts with significant value such as electronics, rugs, or jewelry, home repairs or construction, interest-free or low-interest loans, personal services of servants, and discounts not given to the general public or other Saudi Aramco employees.
Even the appearance of “buying influence” can damage the reputation of the companies and employees involved. When offered a gift in business, always ask yourself the question, “When is a gift not a gift?”
Saudi Aramco employees who have any doubts about when it is acceptable to receive a gift should contact their supervisor, the Personnel Department, or the Business Ethics office ([email protected]).
when is a gift not a gift?
When we are offered a gift in business, we should always ask ourselves whether the gift is intended to influence a business relationship. The answer isn't always easy, but remember that even if it gives the appearance of buying influence, one should shy away from accepting gifts, especially if it can damage your reputation or that of the company.
ethics in business
3cover storythe arabian sun
driving innovationParis global research center strives to find fuel solutions
Par is — Achieving technological breakthroughs that power Saudi Aramco and the energy industry forward requires partnerships that can unlock innovating minds.
With a determination to expand its global technological reach, Saudi Aramco has spent the last few years building a network of global research centers and technology offices in collaboration with the world’s leading technology drivers.
One such center is the Aramco Fuel Research Center (AFRC) in Paris that is dedicated to studies on fuel and engine technology. Current engine research and development, designed to increase efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions of future engines, is primarily based on using existing market fuels. However, there is significant potential to develop new fuel/engine systems that are highly efficient, cleaner and cheaper but also use fuels that are easier to manufacture.
Moreover, such systems will enable a better balance between supply and demand of future fuels and make the transport sector more sustainable. Examples of such systems are Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) and Octane on Demand (OOD), both of which use low-octane gasoline, or naphtha. Saudi Aramco’s focus is on developing such new engine systems that will be of benefit to the auto and oil industries, as well as consumers.
appreciation for enthusiasmDuring a visit to the research center last
month, Amin H. Nasser, Saudi Aramco acting president and CEO, received updates on the status of ongoing projects, including OOD and GCI projects.
The center, one of three managed by Aramco Overseas Company (AOC), opened in February 2013 and was estab l i shed as par t of a 10-year collaborative agreement between AOC and IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN), which boasts a significant level of intellectual property and a strong track record of bringing technologies to market. The technical programs executed by AFRC are closely coordinated with Saudi Aramco’s Research and Development Center in Dhahran and the Aramco Research Center in Detroit, ensuring global alignment, improving innovation processes, and adding value to the business through links with regional knowledge hubs.
During his visit, Nasser expressed his appreciation to the AFRC team and thanked them for their enthusiasm in
working on technologies that help to minimize the carbon footprint of the transport sector.
AFRC pro ject leaders and team members made presentations to Nasser and Abdulrahman F. Al Wuhaib, senior vice president of Downsteram, about their current projects.
a close up with technologyIFPEN also conducted a tour of the
wider campus and its R&D laboratories and facilities. The tour included an optical engine test cell, a facility for analyzing and optimizing combustion (where the work for two ongoing AFRC projects was demonstrated), a multi-cylinder engine test cell, and a vehicle demonstrator built as part of the OOD project. In addition, the tour included an overview of IFPEN’s enhanced oil recovery (EOR) laboratory, with a focus on chemical and surfactant EOR, an area of potential collaboration with Saudi Aramco.
“Our goal in Europe has always been to synchronize efforts with Saudi Aramco headquarters, and we at AOC will continue to facilitate and
At the Aramco Fuel Research Center in Paris, Amin H. Nasser, acting president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, and Abdulrahman F. Al Wuhaib, senior vice president of Downstream, left, listen to some of the groundbreaking work done at the facility in engine research and development. While touring the Aramco Fuel Research Center facilities, they lauded IFPEN’s approach to energy innovation, which Nasser noted is also shared by Saudi Aramco. Al Wuhaib said the partnership between Saudi Aramco and IFPEN was a valuable one, and that the combined expertise of the two companies “can build upon the already strong foundations we share.”
explore collaborations with IFPEN,” said AOC managing director Fahad Al-AbdulKareem. “Having a research facility on site at IFPEN, allowing for close interactions between both parties, is proving to be a successful working model.”
The AFRC itself is part of a wider global fuel technology push, with research undertaken at several centers at various technology readiness levels. As these centers grow, the latest in energy related technology and best practices can be exported back to the Kingdom to support Saudi Aramco as it evolves into a world- leading integrated energy and chemicals enterprise.
4 community news September 2, 2015
well-beingcaring for your health and wellness
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All health and health-related information contained in this Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare Company material is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for a visit with a health care professional. The advice is intended to offer only a general basis for individuals to discuss their health and medical conditions with their health care provider. Your health care provider should be consulted regarding matters concerning the medical condition, treatment and needs of you and your family.
Education • Faculty of Medicine, Gezira University,
Sudan, 1991• Po s t g r adua te and t r a i n i ng a t
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), London, 2005
Work HistoryConsultant Ob/Gyn, Newham University Hospital, London, U.K, 2010-2014Quote“For a healthy pregnancy, pregnant women should make sure they are consuming the required amount of folic acid and that they regularly schedule checkups with their doctor to stay updated on the baby’s well-being.”
Hearty Banana Cake is a delicious and a nutritious dessert. It is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.Ingredients: • 2 whole eggs and 4 egg whites• 1 tablespoon canola oil• 1 teaspoon baking powder• 3 tablespoons sugar• 3 tablespoons walnut, chopped• 1 cup ripped banana, mashed• ¾ cup whole-wheat flour• ½ cup nonfat milk• ¾ cup all-purpose flour• 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.Preparation:• Mix sugar, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and flour in a bowl. • Beat the eggs with milk and oil for 3 minutes, then add them to the above powdered mixture and mix well.• Add the mashed banana and walnuts and mix them gently. • Place the mixture in a greased baking pan, and bake it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes until done, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. • Remove from oven and allow cooling down. Yield: 6 servings. Service: Serve with fruit salad and nonfat or low fat yogurt or laban to enrich it with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to make it more balanced and nutritious.Fat and Calories Contents:• Calories per serving: 275• Fat per serving: 8 grams
Source: JHAH Clinical Nutrition and Food Services Unit at JHAH
Hearty Banana Cake
caring profileDr. Mohamed Ibrahim,Obstetrician/Gynecologist
6 fun and healthy snacks
Parents of picky eaters often worry that their child is missing out on important nutrients, and as habits formed in childhood tend to continue into adulthood, most feel immense pressure to change their child's eating patterns. There should be no cause for concern, as picky eating is natural for kids and can be overcome by following simple lifestyle improvements to your child’s eating habits.
A picky eater is selective about what he eats and is reluctant to sample new foods. There are a few different picky eating behaviors, such as only eating one type of food, refusing to eat fruits and vegetables, shying away from unfamiliar food textures and colors, or having no desire to eat during mealtime.
There are many steps you can take to create a healthier approach to food, but what is important for each of these steps is consistency, as well as applying age-appropriate techniques.
For picky toddlers, creating an ideal environment during mealtime such as providing size-appropriate utensi ls, a comfortable booster seat, and miniature food portions in a colorful and attractive style can encourage them to try new things. Maintaining a calm and quiet environment can help keep your child focus on finishing their meal, and so keeping distractions (e.g., turning off your phone or television set) at a minimal can positively affect their eating.
Preschoolers, however, benefit greatly by actively participating in preparing their food because giving the child control can increase their likelihood of trying new foods while they make their meals. Allow your child to pick out fruits and vegetables when you grocery shop
Try these fun and healthy kid snacks as recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
• Sandwiches: Make a sandwich on whole grain bread, and have your child cut out their favorite shape using a cookie cutter
• Apple Pie Oatmeal: Add low-fat milk to one packet of microwave oatmeal, and then mix in ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce. To add some sweetness, sprinkle cinnamon on it.
• Healthy soup: Microwave a cup of
together, which can help familiarize them with the colors, shapes, and textures of produce, thereby alleviating any sense of discomfort they might feel when eating them.
Always give your child a choice between two healthy options (e.g., salad or steamed vegetables), and when introducing a new food, do not give up after the first try; building new eating habits takes time. Introduce new foods gradually over time into your child’s meal, and make sure you serve the new food first before your child has had a chance to fill up on other foods.
If your child is picky about foods mixing together on their plate, try to separate food based on texture or type as to not confuse the child and distract them. Serving food in small portions can make the meal more enjoyable to your preschooler.
Try to be a good role model, as children tend to imitate those around them, especially at the dinner table. The healthy food offered to your child should be food you are willing to eat in front of them. Another important issue to avoid is preparing a customized meal for your picky eater. This is counterproductive and allows them to continue with their selective eating habits.
Rewarding good behavior can reinforce these habits for your child, but do not resort to offering sweets and junk food as a prize for maintaining healthy habits.
Eating habits do not change overnight, but implementing small changes in your everyday lifestyle can make a difference. Know that you can be a driving force in instilling healthy habits to encourage your child to eat a balanced diet.
Learn more, read more, and stay in touch.For more information about picky eating and how to cope with it, visit:• Mayo Clinichttp://www.mayoclinic.org> healthy lifestyle> childrens health> in depth> childrens health> art 20044948• Cleveland Clinichttp://health.clevelandclinic.org> 2014/03> what you can do if your child is a picky eater• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:http://www.eatright.org> resources> for kids.
Recommended AppsDownload the following Android Apps that help your child learn about healthy eating:• Healthy Eater• Awesome Eats• Fruits and Vegetables for Kids• Nutrition For Kids.
JHAH NewsRegister the personal email addresses of all your family members by sending an emailto [email protected], and they will receive the latest JHAH health and wellness news.
tomato or vegetable soup, and eat with whole-grain crackers
• Cereal snacks: Mix dried fruits and nuts with cereal, and put in a sandwich bag for an easy snack
• Fruit kebabs: Add various fruits such as strawberries, grapes, and apples to kebab skewers
• Cheese on bread: Spread low-fat cream cheese on whole grain bread and add sunflower seeds.
help your kids kick the picky eating habit
One of the best ways to prevent selective-eating habits is to encourage your children to help pick out their own foods, steering them to a wide array of colorful and healthy options.
the arabian sun
5company news
September 2, 2015
6 company news
Taking contractor safety to heart
Unconventional gas efforts highlighted
Geomechanics has become an important specialty in examining and predicting the behavior of rock formations in unconventional reservoirs. Gang Han, Petroleum Engineering consultant and resident geomechanics expert, moderates a panel at the Unconventional Resources Technology Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in the United States.
Ibrahim K. Al Naimi, general manager of Ras Tanura Refinery, stresses the importance of reporting incidents during his presentation to safety officers and safety personnel representing various Downstream contractors at a recent forum in Dhahran. "When it comes to safety, we are all important as stakeholders and partners," he said.
Dhahran — The vital importance of incident reporting within Saudi Aramco was one of the key focus areas of a Downstream Contractor Reporting and Recognition Forum held last week at the Plaza Conference Center.
On behalf of Downstream senior vice president Abdulrahman F. Al-Wuhaib, Ibrahim K. Al Naimi, general manager of Ras Tanura Refinery, welcomed the large turnout of safety officers and safety personnel representing various Downstream contractors.
“When it comes to safety, we are all important as stakeholders and partners,” said Al Naimi.
He said the forum represented the company’s “continued effort to elevate our safety performance” and stressed that incident reporting is an “essential” tool toward improved safety overall.
responsibility lies with all“The responsibility lies with all of us,
and requires the utmost attention,” said Al-Naimi, adding that the importance of safety on the road has to be included in any safety message to contractors and all employees.
Andrew Graham, safety advisor for the Ju’aymah NGL Fractionation Department, told attendees that the reporting of incidents, such as near misses, should be looked as an opportunity to learn from
San Antonio — For the third year, Saudi Aramco participated in the Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTeC). The goal was to participate in the technical program to listen, learn, and share industry technical insights and best practices in the exploration and production of unconventional oil and gas.
Geologists, geophysicists, and engineers f rom a broad range of specia l t ies gathered to discuss the unique challenges associated with unconventional oil and gas.
meeting the Kingdom's needsSince signaling a long-term commitment
to unconventionals just a few short years ago, the company’s unconventional gas program has shown the potential to complement future in-Kingdom gas supply. This is significant because unconventional gas is a key to meeting the Kingdom’s growing energy needs with cleaner burning natural gas for domestic power generation.
Serving on the URTeC Technical Program Committee, Gretchen Gillis from Aramco’s Houston-based Upstream team co-chaired the session “Emerging Plays II: Which
mistakes rather than a negative aspect of overall safety performance.
“We would like to urge the contractors to report the incidents so that we can learn from them and move forward,” said Graham. “Safety officers need to take this to heart.”
Graham shared some of the Leading and Lagging Indicators with regards to Workforce Safety Performance among Downstream contractors and the statistics revealed that there are “some opportunities for improvement” in the number of incidents reported in some categories.
five safety reporting classifications
To clear up any misconceptions or confusion with regard to the company’s expectations in the reporting of incidents, Graham explained in detail the five major Injury Classifications in Saudi Aramco’s Construction Safety Manual with which contractors need to be familiar:
• First Aid Injury — Minor on- job injury requiring one-time treatment and subsequent observation. The treatment, even if administered by a physician, doesn’t require medical or surgical follow-up intervention.
• Medical Treatment Case — An on-the-job injury that is more serious than an on-the-job first aid injury (FAI) requiring medical treatment.
• Restricted Duty Injury — An on-the-job
injury that results in restricted work or job transfer. The employee cannot perform an activity he/she regularly performs at least once a week. Does not include restricted work activity limited to the day of injury or illness.
• Lost-Time Injury — An on-the-job injury that involves one or more days away from work beyond the day the injury occurred.
• Fatality — An on-the-job injury that results in death.
During the forum, contractors were also provided with an overview of the tools available for the reporting of incidents and near misses, along with a session on key lessons learned from the reporting of incidents.
recognizing excellenceThe forum concluded with a recognition
program for contractors who have met or exceeded the company’s expectations in the reporting of incidents with the presentation of silver, gold, and platinum awards.
Richard Weidel, HSE advisor with Downstream, said he was pleased to see “a good representation of contractors and safety personnel” at the forum.
He noted that the forum represented the continuation of a series of meetings that kicked off years ago with the CEOs of 16 contractor companies, and said the success of these meetings has continually led to overall improved contractor safety.
Ones Will Make the Cut?” A series of papers exploring fracture complexity, brittleness and stress was moderated by Gang Han, Petroleum Engineering consultant and resident geomechanics expert during the session “Geomechanics of Hydraulic Fracturing: A Place Where Geology Meets Engineering.”
Petroleum engineers are increasingly relying on geomechanics to optimize hydraulic fracturing to capture oil and gas from unconventional reservoirs. “Sweet spots” are identified as places where it is ideal to drill for maximum oil and gas recovery.
During the session “Rock Physics and Multiphase Flow,” a paper from the Aramco Research Center-Houston was presented by Daniel Georgi, team lead, Reservoir Engineering Technology, proposing a microwaving technique for testing the tensile strength, or maximum stress, a rock can withstand before failing. The paper, “Measuring Tensile Strength of Unconventional Shales Using Microwaving” attracted interest for its simple and rapid measurement technique. Rock strength is a critical parameter in modeling hydraulic fracturing.
The annual conference is endorsed
by the world’s three leading oil and gas professional societies: The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE); The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG); and The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG).
Rep re sen ta t i v e s f rom A ramco ’s Houston office were on-site to talk with experienced professionals about career opportunities. The event supports the Unconventional Resources organization.
by Susan Gonzalez
Contractors, left, listen intently and take notes from one of the presentations at the recent Downstream Contractor Reporting and Recognition Forum. The large turnout to the event served as a testament to the company's ongoing commitment to safety and the buy-in from not just employees but also contracting companies with which Saudi Aramco does business. (Photos: Rayan Al Ghamdi/MPD)
by Jeff McCoshen
the arabian sun
7company news
spotlight
Attendees of the recent Downstream Contractor Reporting and Recognition Forum in Dhahran take a break during the meeting to pose for a group photo. At the conclusion of the event, many of the contractors were rewarded for their commitment to safety and the reporting of incidents with the presentation of silver, gold, and platinum awards. (Photo: Rayan Al Ghamdi/MPD)
SAYSO young stars shine
pg 6
Earlier this summer, Ras Tanura’s Saudi Aramco Youth Soccer Organization (SAYSO) held a soccer tournament with 22 teams participating from a number of Saudi Aramco communities, making it the largest youth soccer tournament ever held at Saudi Aramco. Among the tournament winners were the Ras Tanura A – Under 10 boys team, left, and the Ras Tanura Under 13 boys team, right. For those interested in participating in SAYSO activities, registration is now open through the SAYSO website on ShareK. (Photo: Mohammed Al Shaikh/MPD)
More than 60 employees from the Southern Area Production Engineering Department were recently recognized for outstanding achievements in safety, innovation and process improvement, logistics and project support, technology, and human resources development.
‘Udhailiyah — Sixty-five high achieving Saudi Aramco employees from the Southern Area Production Engineering Department (SAPED) were honored at an awards ceremony and luncheon held Aug. 10 at Al-Dorrah Hall.
The employees were honored for their outstanding achievements in the past year in five focus areas: safety; innovation and process improvement; logistics and project
support; technology; and human resources development.
The event was attended by Zuhair Al-Hussain, vice president of Southern Area Oil Operations (SAOO); Yousef Al-Furaidan, acting general manager of Southern Area Producing; Nayef Al-Shammari, SAPED acting manager, managers from SAOO, and division heads within SAPED.
The employee achievement program looks
to recognize high achievers for exceptional contributions to the department, as well as the company as a whole, and encourages employees to achieve.
Al-Shammari opened the event, thanking each employee for their contributions and recognizing other company organizations that were instrumental to SAPED’s success.
While highlighting SAPED’s achievements, he noted that SAPED trial tested and
deployed many new technologies, created and realized cost reduction opportunities, issued and updated safety manuals, developed technical manuals, developed IT applications for well integrity management and o ther eng ineer ing jobs , and participated in various training programs, national and international conferences and forums, presenting many technical papers and patented ideas.
65 SAPED employees honored for high achievement
8the arabian sun
The Arabian Sun is a week-ly publication issued free of charge by the Public Relations Department for Saudi Aramco employees.
Publishing Director: Haitham K. JehairanEditors: Jamsheed Din, Todd WilliamsEditorial staff: Eamonn Houston, Scott Baldauf, Jeff McCoshen and Rawan Nasser.
Correspondence may be addressed to the editor, R-87, Dhahran Heights, Building 9156 (D Wing)Articles may be reproduced provid-ed The Arabian Sun is credited.
Room 87, Dhahran Heights, Building 9156, D Wing, Dhahran, Saudi ArabiaTelephone, (013) 876-0374 Email: [email protected]: 1319-156X
on a rainy day in ScotlandArnold Tenerife captured this image of a castle at Eilean Donan in May while vacationing in the United Kingdom. Tenerife was with his wife on a Highlands Tour on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, when he used his NX300 Samsung camera with a 45mm lense to shoot this atmospheric image. Eilean Donan, or "Island of Donan," is named after Donnan of Eigg. The castle was founded in the 13th century and became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies, the Clan Macrae. Tenerife has worked for nearly 18 years in the Central Area Industrial Training Division of the Industrial Training Department in Dhahran.
Mohammed Al-Mustaneer, who wrote a journal of his time in the United States and later had his writings released as a book, has received the King Salman Prize for Young Authors. "Scatterings of a Scholarship Student" will resonate with readers who have spent a year or more away from home and had to adapt to a foreign culture. (Photo: Ahmad El Itani/MPD)
Dhahran — In December 2006, Mohammed Al-Mustaneer stepped off a plane, completing a journey from his home province of Najran. He was a young Saudi university student, beginning his studies at Idaho State University in Pocatello. His only English words, he says, were “thank you.”
Every day, he would write down his experiences about the unfamiliar American culture, surrounded by the gorgeous mountainous landscape of Idaho — so similar to his native Najran — and those writings form the basis of a new book titled, Batharaat Mobta'ath, or Scatterings of a Scholarship Student.
Al-Mustaneer’s book is more than a mere journal. It won this year’s King Salman Prize for Young Authors and has set up Al-Mustaneer, a young employee in Saudi Aramco’s Chemicals organization, as a refreshing new voice for Saudi readers.
Chemicals vice president Warren W. Wilder met recently with Al-Mustaneer in Dhahran to congratulate the young author and to learn more about the source of his inspiration.
“First of all, I want to congratulate you for writing this book, and for winning the King Salman Prize for Young Authors,” Wilder told Al-Mustaneer, praising him for his go-getter spirit.
As a high school graduate in Najran, Al-Mustaneer had read about the King
Abdullah college scholarship program and successfully applied for it. Later, Al-Mustaneer read a newspaper article about the King Salman prize and sent off his manuscript, which earned him the prize.
“That’s an amazing achievement for a first-time writer,” Wilder said, “and we in the Chemicals team are proud of your personal drive, and your achievement.”
Al-Mustaneer explained the motivation for writing his book.
“It started as a hobby,” said Al-Mustaneer, who started writing a journal to describe life in America for his family back in Saudi Arabia. “I liked reading and writing in school. I would write when I was homesick for Saudi. And when my wife joined me, I liked sharing my experiences with her.”
Life in America was full of challenges for the first-time traveler. To improve his English, he deliberately chose to live with non-Saudi roommates, and later, an American host family.
Homesickness and being away from family were constant challenges, but Al-Mustaneer said that his most important learning experience was about how to interact with Americans. Idaho, like his native Najran, is a friendly place where families form the center of a small-town culture. How, Al-Mustaneer wondered, would a young man from far away fit into that culture?
“The challenge was working with classmates and knowing how to make fr iends,” Al-Mustaneer sa id. “You didn’t want to be very shy, but you also didn’t want to be too close or the other person may misunderstand and feel uncomfortable.”
While Al-Mustaneer’s book discusses periods of loneliness, and even illness, it is also packed full of humorous anecdotes, including an incident when he mistakenly blew out all the candles of someone else’s birthday cake.
“It was spontaneous, I didn’t know that I wasn’t supposed to do that,” Al-Mustaneer said with a laugh. “It was very embarrassing.”
Al-Mustaneer also writes about the similarities between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the beauty of the landscape, and the unexpected kindness he found among his fellow students, his host family, and friends.
The journey that Al-Mustaneer takes in Scatterings will resonate for many readers who have spent a year or more away from home learning to adapt to a foreign culture. And since Scatterings recounts only the first year of Al-Mustaneer’s six years of study in the U.S. — four years in Idaho and two years in North Carolina — Al-Mustaneer is already working on a second book about his second year abroad.
by Scott Baldauf
Aramcon author wins King Salman Prize see page 4
the trick to get your kids to eatM a n y p a re n t s f a c e t h e challenge of getting finicky children to eat healthier. In this month’s well-being page, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare offers up some tips that will make the task easier.
