Inside Celebrating Issue 50 2020 - Issue 50 - Saudi Arabia Oil & Gas
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2020 - Issue 50
Inside
Prince Abdulaziz Renewable Amin Nasser
at IPTC Energy at IPTC
Celebrating Issue 50
Contents
2020 - ISSUE 50
Saudi Arabia Oil & Gas (Print) ISSN 2045-6670
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com
Saudi Arabia Oil & Gas (Online) ISSN 2045-6689
Editorial Advisory Committee
Dr Abdulaziz Al Majed, Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM; Dr Tariq Alkhalifah, Professor, Earth Science
and Engineering, KAUST; Dr Sami AlNuaim; Dr Mohammed Badri, Schlumberger; Dr Abdulaziz Ibn Laboun, Geology Department, College of Science,
King Saud University; Dr Abdulrahman Al Quraishi, Petroleum Engineering KACST; Professor Musaed N. J. Al-Awad, Head of Department Drilling,
Economics and Geomechanics, KSU; Professor Bernt Aadnoy, Stavanger University; Dr Ghaithan Muntashehri, Saudi Aramco; Mishal Al Harbi, Saudi
Aramco; Dr Michael Bittar, Halliburton; Robert Kuchinski, Weatherford; Wajid Rasheed, EPRasheed.
EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2020
NOTE FROM CEO
ICCUS 2020
Remarks By HRH Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy,
at the International Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage
IPTC 2020 SETS NEW RECORD IN SAUDI ARABIA
SPE/EPRasheed staff
FROM THE ARAMCO NEWSROOM
●● Saudi Aramco hosts International Petroleum Technology
Conference in Saudi Arabia - Page 19
●● Cybersecurity: Raising our Game and Guard - Page 20
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Wajid Rasheed
IN MEMORIAM ABDUL MAJID RASHEED INTERNATIONAL EDITOR
ADVERTISERS: KACST - PAGE 2-3, FOURQUEST ENERGY - PAGE 6.
Cover Photo: Shaybah pipeline courtesy of Saudi Aramco
CEO AND FOUNDER UNITED KINGDOM SAUDI ARABIA BRAZIL
EPRASHEED - Head Office - Akram ul Haq - Ana Felix
Wajid Rasheed Tel: + 44 7757 396569 PO BOX 3260, Jeddah 21471 afelix@braziloilandgas.com
wajid.rasheed@eprasheed.com - Adam Mehar akram.ul.haq@saudiarabiaoilandgas.com Tel: (55) 21 9714 8690
adam.mehar@saudiarabiaoilandgas.com Tel: (966) 557 276 426 - Fabio Jones
EDITORS Main: (44) 1753 708872 - Mohanned AlSagri fabio.jones@braziloilandgas.com
Mauro Martins Fax: (44) 1753 725460 mohanned.alsagri@saudiarabiaoilandgas.com Tel: (55) 21 9392 7821
Mobile: (44) 777 2096692
Editorial Calendar 5
Contribute to Saudi Arabia Oil
& Gas In Issue 50 and Beyond
EPRasheed encourages editorial submissions on the topics outlined in the editorial calendar. This can provide your
company with the opportunity to communicate EP technology to the wider oil and gas community.
Please send abstracts or ideas for editorial to wajid.rasheed@eprasheed.com. Preference is given to articles that are
Oil Company co-authored, peer reviewed or those based on Academic research.
Editorial Calendar 2020
February - Issue 50 May – Issue 51 August – Issue 52 November – Issue 53
Materials Closing Materials Closing Materials Closing Materials Closing
date - Jan 15 date - Apr 15 date - July 15 date - Oct 15
• Remote Operations • Cementing • Seismic • Reservoir Characterization
• Intelligent Completions • Drilling & Completion • Reservoir Visualization • Drilling Optimization
Fluids
• Digitalization • Remote Operation • Formation Evaluation
• Rotary Steerable Centres
• Production Systems • Wellbore Intervention
• Advances in Drill-Pipe
• Artificial Intelligence • Complex Wells • Casing While Drilling
• Drill-Bit Technology
• Geophysical • Seismic
• Zonal Isolation (incl.
Packers, Multi-Zone
Completions)
• Carbonate Reservoir
Heterogenity
BONUS CIRCULATION
ONS Offshore Northern ADIPEC - Abu Dhabi
GEO 2020 EAGE SPE EUROPEC
Seas International Petroleum
March 3 - 5, 2020 Jun 9-12, 2020, Rome,
Aug 26-29, 2020, Exhibition and Conference
Manama, Bahrain Italy
Stavanger, Norway Nov 3-6, 2020
SPE/IADC Middle East
IPTC* SEG* Artificially World Petroleum
Drilling Technology
Dhahran EXPO Intelligent Earth Congress Houston,
Conference and
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Exploration Texas, USA,
Exhibition
13–15 January 2020 Apr 19-21 Muscat, Oman December 6-10, 2020
15 - 17 Sep 2020
SPECIAL PUBLICATION
* Media Partner * Media Partner * Media Partner
Note From CEO 7
Note from CEO
Welcome to our landmark Issue 50 of Saudi Arabia
Oil and Gas. Since our first issue in 2007 we have
stayed true to our aim “to consider global EP
Markets in a strategic manner and foster balanced
coverage and commentary on the International
Oilfield and key EP technologies.”
Over the years we have covered some of the most While Baker Hughes has “Energy Forward” which is a
important technological developments and events in the commitment to reducing oil and gas emissions.
Saudi Arabian Oil and Gas Industry including the OPEC https://www.bakerhughes.com/company/energy-forward/
meeting in Riyadh, OGEP I and II and many of the Saudi road-netzero-our-commitment-reducing-oil-and-gas-
SPE and DGS ATSE. emissions
Now, our most urgent challenge is to reconcile our climate Of course, that will be insufficient for advocates of a
and our energy needs. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, future free of fossil-fuels. However, it is important to
HRH Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman spoke about precisely remember that most petroleum demand remains inelastic.
this challenge and his remarks can be found on page 8 It is equally important to look behind the scenes to see
outlined as the four R's - Reducing carbon emissions that electricity is not produced solely by solar, wind or
by utilizing energy efficiency, renewables, and nuclear hydro power but fossil fuels particularly gas are a part of
power; Reusing & Recycling carbon emissions into useful the power generation process. This is discussed in article
products and Removing emissions by carbon capture. In “Renewable Energy”.
that regard, Saudi Aramco has been working to reduce
emissions since the 1970’s:
But that doesn’t mean complacency everyone can play
(see https://saudiarabiaoilandgas.com/remarks-by-amin- their part. It may mean re-evaluating our energy needs and
h-nasser-saudi-aramco-council-wec-congress/) our “comfort” lifestyle.Think legacy.
“The good news is that we are not starting from scratch. We at Saudi Arabia Oil and Gas have reduced our carbon
For example, at Saudi Aramco, our Master Gas System emissions and waste management by digital transformation
has ended associated gas flaring, eliminating about 100 so that our publication is digital. We will print special
million metric tons of CO2 equivalent, every year since it editions from time to time to cover specific events.
was established in the 1970s.”
So this means making changes and becoming more
The service sector has also been working to reduce efficient as every driller knows, it is good to save trips!
emissions for example, Schlumberger has committed to a
science-based target to reduce emissions.
CEO and Founder
https://sciencebasedtargets.org/
Wajid Rasheed
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50
ICCUS 2020 8
Keynote Address by HRH
Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman,
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy
Delivered by HRH Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of
Energy, at the International Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (ICCUS)
Conference, 25 February 2020, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Y our Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and
gentlemen: It is my great pleasure to welcome you
to the International Carbon Capture and Utilization
Conference here in Riyadh, the first of its kind held in the
Middle East. This two day event is a landmark gathering
on a topic of critical importance to the Kingdom and the
entire world, and it is wonderful to see such a large number
of distinguished participants.
My friends, although the task of reducing global greenhouse
gas emissions is challenging, we are not starting from
scratch. Past work in this area has been considerable, and
we should applaud those efforts, acknowledge the benefits
they have achieved over the years, and seek to build on
their foundation. HRH Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s
However, we must also recognize that the current scope, Minister of Energy
scale and speed of such efforts will not be sufficient for the cornerstone for the global energy and environmental
global community to address the issue of climate change, systems of tomorrow, because it is a tried and tested
or to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the levels that technology today. Far from being a “magic bullet” solution
must be achieved in the desired time frame. that exists only as a concept, a lab-bench prototype, or a
We must also acknowledge that while alternative energy pilot demonstration program, CCUS is already making a
sources are expanding, the world continues to rely upon positive difference, and is ready to be deployed at a greater
fossil fuels for the overwhelming share of its overall scale.
energy needs a situation that will not change for many At the same time, the considerable progress that continues
decades to come. At the same time, the world’s total to be made in the research, development, demonstration
energy demand will continue to grow, given our planet’s and global deployment of CCUS is extremely encouraging,
increasing population and rising living standards in the and underscores the tremendous future promise of this
developing world. proven technology.
Given that energy is a key input for both economic and That’s important, because according to the
social development, we also need to develop and deploy Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, our global
energy solutions that effectively address the problem of climate goals may not be achieved without utilizing CCS
greenhouse gas emissions while also powering prosperity in part because there are entire sectors such as cement,
now and in the future. steel and chemicals where alternative, non-carbon options
Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, we must accelerate the don’t exist in the way they do for power generation.
adoption of high-impact solutions such as Carbon Capture, CCUS, though, has the capacity to reduce emissions across
Utilization and Storage and do so urgently. various sectors, can be tied in with the increasing focus
on hydrogen, and just as importantly is able to transform
I strongly believe that CCUS can and will serve as a carbon into a useful, economically beneficial commodity.
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50
ICCUS 2020 9
And of course, for some four decades the Kingdom’s
Master Gas System has been capturing gas that was once
flared and turning it into a valuable, clean fuel and feedstock
and making it the foundation of an entirely new domestic
industrial sector. The economic and environmental benefits
have been enormous, and the Master Gas System continues
to serve as proof of concept when it comes to integrating
economic viability with environmental protection.
The Kingdom is also an active and responsible member
of the international community in various climate change
initiatives. In 2015, the Kingdom joined the “Mission
Innovation” and the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), co-
The ICCUS Conference in Riyadh is part of the leading the CCUS challenge with the United Kingdom and
Kingdom’s preparations for November’s G20 Summit Mexico. That same year, the Kingdom joined the Clean
Energy Ministerial (CEM), where the Kingdom co-led the
In fact, CCUS really comes into its own as part of a much CCUS initiative with United States, the United Kingdom
broader Circular Carbon Economy concept, which will be and Norway.
at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s Presidency of the G20 this Now, the time has come for all of us to redouble our efforts
year. The Circular Carbon Economy serves as a platform in the area of CCUS which is what brings us together
to address energy issues in a holistic and inclusive manner today. Without a doubt, technology development will play
and CCUS plays a central role in this approach. a pivotal role in finding effective solutions to the carbon
The 4Rs of the Circular Carbon Economy emissions challenge, as well as supplying clean fuels
and creating valuable feedstocks and ultimately useful
Reduce: Minimizing the amount of carbon entering the products. But for those CCUS technologies and systems
system by utilizing energy efficiency, renewables, and to be sustainable and quickly scalable, we must work
nuclear power; together to create opportunities and remove barriers for
private sector investment.
Reuse & Recycle: Using carbon emissions in useful
products or applications, such as CO2 to chemicals and That means working together to drive down the costs and
materials; aggressively accelerate the pace of implementing CCUS
at a global scale, including the construction of necessary
Remove: Eliminating carbon from the system through infrastructure. At the same time, we need to look ahead to
CCS and Direct Air Capture. collectively identify new commercial models and strategies
So, as you can see, CCUS is front and center in two of that will enable the research, development and deployment
the four Rs making its accelerated and expanded adoption of the next generation of CCUS technology. And we need
even more vital, since it is the linchpin of a much larger to encourage greater cooperation and collaboration among
effort to reduce and redirect carbon emissions. And again, various countries, industries, R&D disciplines, and the
let me stress that within the Circular Carbon Economy public and private sectors.
framework, CCUS will deliver economic as well as None of that will be easy, none of that will be simple, and
environmental benefits, helping us to achieve objectives in none of that is assured of ultimate success but all of it is vital
both areas concurrently. for our countries and our communities. Teddy Roosevelt
For its part, the Kingdom is already investing in the once wrote, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth
development of new technology for clean energy solutions doing unless it means effort, pain, [and] difficulty.” There
including utilization of CCUS. can be no doubt that CCUS is worth doing, and I strongly
believe that collectively we have the clarity of vision, the
Some of those investments are already in place, and are technological capability, and the depth of determination
making a tangible difference. For example, Saudi Aramco required to meet the carbon emissions challenge, and to
demonstrated the Gulf region’s first world scale CO2 realize the full potential of Carbon Capture, Utilization
enhanced oil recovery project in 2015, which captures and Storage.
800,000 tons of CO2 annually, while SABIC built one of
the world’s largest CO2 capture and purification plants to Thank you for your attention.
provide carbon dioxide as a feedstock for chemicals, using
500,000 tons of CO2 per year.
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50
Celebrating Issue 50 - Saudi Arabia Oil & Gas 10
Celebrating Issue 50
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50Celebrating Issue 50 - Saudi Arabia Oil & Gas 11
Celebrating Issue 50
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50IPTC 2020 12
IPTC 2020 Sets New Record
Saudi Arabia Oil and Gas was a media
The highly-engaging Ministerial Dialogue touched on several important issues in the industry
T he 12th edition of International Petroleum
Technology Conference (IPTC) attracted a record-
breaking attendance of over 18,000 attendees from
Founded in 2005, IPTC has established itself as the
flagship multidisciplinary oil and gas technical event
in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is sponsored by four
1,080+ companies, and 75+ countries. of the leading industry organisations in oil and gas:
the American Association of Petroleum Geologists
This was the first international multi-disciplinary, inter-
(AAPG); the European Association of Geoscientists
society oil and gas conference and exhibition to be held
and Engineers (EAGE); the Society of Exploration
in Saudi Arabia. The event received the patronage of
Geophysicists (SEG); and the Society of Petroleum
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Engineers (SPE). IPTC is focused on the dissemination
bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime
of new and current technology, best practices and
Minister, and Minister of Defense, Kingdom of Saudi
multi-disciplinary activities designed to emphasise the
Arabia, with Saudi Aramco serving as the Exclusive
importance of the value chain and maximising asset
Host.
value. The knowledge, capabilities and strengths of
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50IPTC 2020 13
in Saudi Arabia
supporter of IPTC 2020
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
addressing the audience at the Opening Ceremony
the participating countries and the sponsoring societies made a strong point by saying, “If we can offer real
global membership, over the spectrum of multi- solutions to real energy needs of the many, not just the
disciplinary technologies, are central to the success of few, then I am confident that our industry’s place at
the conference and the corresponding exhibition. the heart of global energy for decades to come, will be
assured”.
At the opening ceremony, His Royal Highness Prince
Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy, Mahmoud M. Abdulbaqi, Chairman, ARGAS, said,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commended the efforts of “The issues facing all of us in the upstream industry are
all the young women and men who organised the event getting more complex and their solutions are proving
with a standing ovation. He also said, “Our ambition, to be more challenging, and require the usage of the
vision, excitement, and determination, is to lead this most advanced technologies. IPTC provides the most
transformation and transmit transition with all its suitable platform for discussions and exchange of ideas
challenges and opportunities.” His Excellency Yasir about these technologies and integrated solutions.”
Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of the Board, Saudi Aramco
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50IPTC 2020 14
Also speaking at the event was HE Mohammad Sanusi dynamic energy scene, the new energy era, the fourth
Barkindo, Secretary General, OPEC, who observed industrial revolution, emerging technologies, the
that, “IPTC 2020 has already become a very successful future of gas, talent development and diversity, and
premier event from the number of participation of unconventional oil and gas. The IPTC “Excellence in
delegates, number of companies exhibiting, and the Project Integration” award winner and finalists were
quality of panel sessions. You can see everybody is also commended at the conference.
happy to be here.”
The Ministerial Dialogue covered a wide range of issues
“These are exciting times for the Kingdom, as we in the industry such as sustainability, oil price volatility
come together behind an ambitious Saudi Vision and the future of the oil and gas industry. Speakers who
2030,” said Mohammed Y. Al-Qahtani, Senior Vice shared their views in the session included, HRH Prince
President, Upstream, Saudi Aramco. As the Executive Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud; HE Shaikh Mohammed
Committee Chairman of IPTC 2020, he announced that Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, Kingdom of
the conference would return to Saudi Arabia in 2 years, Bahrain; Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO, Total;
with the 2021 conference to be held in Malaysia. Darren Woods, Chairman and CEO, Exxon Mobil
Corporation, and Jason Bordoff, Professor at Columbia
This year’s IPTC featured a Ministerial Dialogue
University and Founding Director of the Center on
Session, three Plenary Sessions namely, CEO,
Global Energy Policy.
Executive and Energy Think Tank Plenary Sessions,
five Panel Sessions, and a Society Presidents’ Panel The KSA Minister of Energy, emphasised that, “The
Session, that featured some of the world’s leading world needs a stable oil market, sustainable supply
executives, offering their perspectives on the state of and demand growth, predictability, and production that
the oil and gas industry. These sessions examined the has little impact on the environment. Market volatility
Attendees from around the globe included industry leaders, professionals, decision and policy makers,
as well as senior government officials
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50IPTC 2020 15
Visitors at the Exhibition
doesn’t allow companies to prepare properly, he said, Total Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné said
because they don’t know if price swings are temporary his company is moving toward becoming an energy
or not. Generally, we don’t like volatility, that is the company rather than just an oil and gas company.
goal of OPEC, to promote the stability of prices, supply, “Companies are providing hydrocarbons because there
and demand”. is demand for them, and politicians need to emphasise
the complexities of the energy transition as well as the
The Bahrain Minster of Oil defended the actions
associated costs.”
of the OPEC-plus group against critics who said it
undermined free market economics. “After the global Jason Bordoff, Founding Director of the Center on
financial crisis of 2008, cheap credit funded the shale Global Energy Policy, sharing his thoughts on the
revolution in the US. The latest move by OPEC, which market, said that, “Another dynamic that is really
His Royal Highness was leading, certainly helped bring important is the new dynamic of shale in the global
stability to the markets. It’s all about investments in the market, not just of how much there is, but how short
long term”, said HE Shaikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa cycle it is and how quickly it can respond to market
Al Khalifa. changes, even though that takes 6 to 12 months, the
market knows that it’s coming, and so in response to
Darren Woods, Chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil
that, we see, as we did over the last few weeks, prices
Corporation said, “Fundamentals are strong, the
go up, producers hedge, and that helps ease prices back.
demand will be there over time, so we have got to
There is this new fundamental dynamic in the market, I
invest to make sure that we are in the position to meet
think, is changing the way people, traders and financial
that demand. You need to be efficient; you need to be
markets respond to these geo-political events.”
cost-competitive, and then let the markets take you
where the markets are going to take you.”
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50IPTC 2020 16
Diversity and Inclusion Panel Session, which took place on day 3 of IPTC 2020
The CEO Plenary Session, focused on the theme, to drive things like better technology adoption, better
Vision to Prosperity: A New Energy Era Emerges, with operational efficiency, and, most importantly, better
a panel of global industry experts including the CEOs capital efficiency. I think that some of the things that
of Saudi Aramco, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Total, have traditionally challenged our industry will also
PETRONAS and Woodside Energy. become opportunities for us, because I think there is a
path to do what we do today more efficiently and attract
Saudi Aramco President and CEO, Amin Nasser said,
investors back into the energy industry.”
“We look at this transition in a pragmatic light, because
surely, its foremost driver is a desire to move to a lower Woodside Energy CEO and Managing Director Peter
carbon energy mix or, more precisely, an energy mix J. Coleman commented that top-notch young talent
with lower greenhouse gas emissions. But, when it only wants to work for an industry that has a bright
comes to transitioning, oil and gas is not yet halfway future. “While harnessing advanced technologies are a
there, and there is a lot more low-hanging fruit”. good way to demonstrate that oil and gas is a dynamic
and future-focused industry, the best way that it will
Wan Zulkiflee bin Wan Ariffin, PETRONAS President
attract new blood into the industry is to show that it is
and Group CEO commented, “Different governments
serious about taking on climate change. We are part of
will adopt different policies, and only time will tell if
the solution. We support a transition to a lower-carbon
these policies are successful or not. Technology will
future, and we intend to play a role in it.
be a key differentiator for all the organisations in this
industry. I think there will be more non-traditional As the world deals with the consequences of climate
partnerships moving forward, many unconventional change, the pressure to reduce emissions will only
partnerships between technology companies and oil increase, and as an industry we must be ready to
and gas.” develop the most climate-friendly product we can
possibly produce. This figures into the design and
Jeff Miller, Halliburton’s Chairman, President, and
operation of our facilities, and our other efforts to
CEO, said, “When I think about the path to prosperity
offset our emissions. We must develop resources in the
in the long term, the future may look different,
most carbon-efficient way possible, and it’s up to us as
particularly as it requires collaboration in our industry
industry leaders to make sure that’s prioritised”.
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50IPTC 2020 17
Crowd Picture 2
Baker Hughes Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli geosciences, reservoir engineering, drilling and
said the industry faces a “fundamental challenge” completions, facilities, development and production,
around the narrative of oil and gas that it must address the unconventional business, and improved and
if it wants to maintain a social license to operate. “We enhanced recovery. In total, the 2020 IPTC Programme
are an industry that is hated by many but essential to Committee reviewed more than 3,500 paper submissions
everyone. As we go through the increase in population and selected more than 700 to form the event’s
and the energy transition, it is clear that there will comprehensive agenda. A diversity and inclusion
be more required of energy as people move into the workshop was also held a day before the conference.
middle class.” This workshop created a basis for a reflection on best
practices to increase diversity, promote inclusion, and
Other sessions which took place over three days
to encourage the concept of belonging.
included a topical luncheon address on “The Role of
the Oil and Gas Industry in Sustainable Development In addition to the conference and exhibition, one of
and Human Prosperity”, by Sami Alnuaim of Saudi the key youth-focused programmes was the exclusive
Aramco, who served as 2019 SPE President. Three IPTC Education Week. This programme aims to give
“Ask the Expert” sessions featured leading academics students from around the world a clear insight into
and industry professionals who discussed oil recovery the industry they are about to join and provide them
and simulation and innovative seismic technology, with the opportunity to interact with a number of major
among other topics. Two project case study sessions industry employers who are looking to recruit the best
reviewed the application of innovative technologies talent from institutions around the world. This year,
and practices. Two seminars covered the estimation, over 400 student applications were received globally,
classification, and reporting of reserves and resources, of which 93 students representing 64 institutions and 29
and new applications of machine learning to oil and gas countries, were invited to take part in the programme.
exploration and production.
During the five-day programme, students were divided
More than 100 technical sessions took place across the into groups to work on an assigned project, to share
three days, covering a range of disciplines, including their ideas and best practices, to address issues and
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50IPTC 2020 18
Student winners at the Closing Ceremony
brainstorm solutions. Furthermore, the students A Science Teachers Workshop was presented to 75
participated in a field development game, ‘Unlock science school teachers from around the Kingdom to
the Reserves’, where they went through the complete highlight how energy works, and provided teachers
upstream cycle and had to create a reservoir model, with interactive, age appropriate experiments using
a full development plan as well as a facility plan to basic household items to illustrate energy concepts in
ensure the deliverability of oil production. The students a classroom context. Awad Bin Mohammed Al Malki,
also had the chance to attend the IPTC exhibition and Director of Private Education, Ministry of Education,
sessions, and took part in two dynamic field trips to addressed the teachers and expressed his wishes
the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture and the to incorporate energy education, and many of the
UNESCO World Heritage Al-Ahsa. aspects explored during the workshop, into classroom
curriculum.
Another exciting programme targeted towards young
members was the Emerging Leaders Forum which was Mahmoud M. Abdulbaqi, Chairman, IPTC Board of
opened with a welcome from HE Shaikh Mohammed Directors and Chairman, ARGAS, said, "As we close
Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, Kingdom this edition of IPTC, the first ever to be held in Saudi
of Bahrain. The objective of the programme was to Arabia, we are filled with overwhelming pride as a result
provide audience with the industry insight they need of the record-breaking success and the opportunity to
to develop the essential tools for leadership including hold IPTC at a key hub of the global energy industry.
collaboration to the highest level, exploration of This year’s IPTC has surpassed expectations in terms of
leadership competencies of the future, and the necessary top-level speakers, technical content, and an undeniably
communication skills for the emerging leaders of impressive number of attendees at over 18,000."
the 4th Industrial Revolution. A total of 87 emerging
leaders were welcomed to enjoy the forum.
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50From the Aramco Newsroom 19
Saudi Aramco hosts International Petroleum
Technology Conference in Saudi Arabia
DHAHRAN, January 13, 2020
Amin H. Nasser President & CEO
S audi Aramco today hosted the opening ceremony of
the International Petroleum Technology Conference
(IPTC), the leading international oil and gas conference
“With IPTC 2020, we have the perfect platform to push
forward in our efforts to demonstrate that our industry is
an integral part of the long-term solution to global energy
taking place from January 13-15 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. challenges. As part of the energy transition, I firmly
believe, oil and gas will continue to play a significant role
for a long time to come. ”
Held under the patronage of HRH Crown Prince
Mohammed Bin Salman, the 12th edition of this leading
international oil and gas conference is being held for the He added: “We have the capability to be leaders when it
first time in Saudi Arabia. With keynote addresses by HRH comes to addressing the need for more energy with less
Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman, Minister of Energy and HE emissions and I am confident that our industry has the
Yasir O. Rumayyan, Chairman of Saudi Aramco, the IPTC talent and the innovative mindset, which is required to find
attracted more than 15,000 delegates from 70 countries. the best and most pragmatic solutions. ”
With the Kingdom hosting the G-20 summit this year, Saudi Mr. Nasser participated in a plenary session with industry
Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser congratulated CEOs to discuss the theme ‘Vision to Prosperity: A
Saudi government entities for their successful efforts in New energy Era Emerges‘. Saudi Aramco’s Senior Vice
securing the prestigious industry conference to be held in President Upstream Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Chief Digital
the Kingdom. Officer Nabil Al Nuaim, and VP Petroleum Engineering
& Development Nasir K. Al-Naimi are also scheduled to
speak during the conference.
Mr. Nasser emphasized the need to transition to a lower
carbon energy mix and highlighted the role the energy
industry has played in creating the economic prosperity The Conference will, for the first time, incorporate
the world enjoys today. workshops examining the importance of Diversity and
Inclusion in the sector, an area in which Saudi Aramco has
significantly advanced in recent years.
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50From the Aramco Newsroom 20
Cybersecurity: Raising our Game and Guard
RIYADH, February 04, 2020
CEO Amin Nasser in Cybersecurity Forum.
Remarks by Amin H. Nasser, Saudi Aramco
President and CEO
“ Bismillah-al-Rahman-al-Rahim, and good afternoon. Your
Royal Highnesses, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests,
ladies and gentlemen, it is a real pleasure to be with you at the
first ever Global Cybersecurity Forum here in the Kingdom,
under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. I would like to thank His
Excellency Dr. Musaid Al Aiban, Minister of State and Chairman
of the NCA, for this welcome addition to the calendar.”
Cybersecurity: A Key Strategic Risk
Because, in my view, the constantly evolving and strategic energy as well as water, electricity, banking, medical, and
nature of cybersecurity threats is still not fully understood by aviation are particularly at risk. In fact, the more critical the
industry or receiving the attention it deserves. Governments, target and sensitive the information, the more attractive it is
business in general, and individuals are all in the line of to those who wish our industry harm. And they do wish us
fire from cyber-terrorists. But critical industries like global harm, right up to a digital Pearl Harbor.
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50From the Aramco Newsroom 21
Recent Industry Experience
Events on the ground have really brought this home. In Cybersecurity is one of the top corporate risks we address
August 2012, as the Eid holiday was starting, Saudi in our Enterprise Risk Management Program, overseen by
Aramco was hit by a serious virus attack. Thanks to our Board. It puts cybersecurity on a par with market share
our contingency and business continuity plans, and our loss, disruptive technologies, serious industrial accidents,
broader resilience, our core operations continued and not geopolitical shocks, legal liabilities, and natural disasters.
a single process or product was affected. But other attacks We also created the role of a Chief Digitalization Officer
have followed on other companies, in other regions, and and a Chief Information Security Officer.
the industry has indeed learned three particularly valuable
lessons:
Importance of Collaboration
●● Perfect cybersecurity does not exist. But company fences, and indeed national boundaries, are
●● Like managing blood pressure, our battle with this meaningless concepts in this domain. So aligning policy,
collaborating on technology, and sharing information
equally silent killer is continuous.
and experience beyond the fence is non-negotiable. Of
●● And we need to do all we can to stay a step ahead. course, there is a trade-off to be made between adequate
cybersecurity and productivity, and therefore convenience,
with each company needing to find its own balance.
Impact of Industry Modernization
But to beat a network, we need to be a network. That is
In addition, while things like digitalization and Fourth
why, for example, we are founding members of the World
Industrial Revolution technologies are opening up new
Economic Forum's Center for Cybersecurity. And last
opportunities, it is also expanding the cyber-attack surface
month we used the Forum to begin a new collaboration
and threat landscape. In just five years' time, more than
program called “Cyber-resilience in the Oil and Gas
75 billion Internet of Things devices - I repeat - 75
Sector”. That is also why digitalization and, by extension,
billion devices, will be running critical applications and
cybersecurity are key themes of the Kingdom's G20
infrastructure at nearly 1,000 times the speed today. This
Presidency.
is a wonderful development in many ways, connecting
new industries, geographies, and communities in ways In addition, I believe three areas deserve special debate:
that will benefit society and the planet. But this desirable
fusion of traditional physical assets with the digital world ●● One, how can we promote real industry collaboration
also increases the risk of serious physical damage, at a 5G on cybersecurity, particularly in this region?
speed.
●● Two, how can industries work more effectively with
Fortunately, the growing digitalization our enemies are
governments and existing international frameworks?
using to attack us is also our strength and advantage in
defense. In fact, our cybersecurity capabilities should ●● Three, how do we deter cyber-terrorists by making
digitalize in proportion to the sheer scale, complexity, the price of such reckless attacks too high to pay?
and volatility of digital risks. At Saudi Aramco, we are
This third topic is highly complex, involving international
increasing the pace of digitalization and state-of the-
consensus. But being able to defeat our enemies before they
art technologies. We are also improving our situational
attack us (as well as if they do) would greatly strengthen
awareness through predictive analytics to prioritize threat
our collective defenses.
protection where it is needed most.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let us make the future our ally, not
Taking Cybersecurity to a Higher Plane our enemy. Let us embrace the wonders of the modern
world, adapt new technologies, create new value, and
But 91% of cyber-attacks start with a simple phishing email, meet the expectations of our customers, shareholders, and
and there is more private information on people's phones stakeholders. But let us also raise our game and guard to
than in their homes or offices. So the human component keep one step ahead of cyber-terrorists. Our bottom lines
will remain low-hanging fruit to cyber-terrorists unless depend on it. Our facilities, assets, and businesses depend
people understand the seriousness of the risks, accept on it. Indeed, our futures, not just our safety reputations,
shared responsibility, and are trained to respond. That is depend on it.
why building a cyber-resilient culture at Saudi Aramco is
a personal priority for me, and that starts at the top. Thank you.
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50Renewable Energy 22
Artificially Intelligent Earth Exploration Workshop:
Teaching the Machine How to Characterize the Subsurface
19–21 April 2020 | Muscat, Oman
PLATINUM
SPONSOR Sunday, 19 April 2020
07:00 - 08:00 Onsite Registration
Coffee, tea, juices and morning refreshments available
08:00 - 08:05 Hotel Safety Briefing
08:05 - 08:15 Welcome Address by Committee Co-Chairs
08:15 - 08:30 Opening Address, Petroleum Development Oman
08:30 - 08:45 Opening Address by Saleh Saleh, Saudi Aramco – Exploration in the Digital Age
STUDENT
REGISTRATION SESSION 1 Big Geo-Data
SPONSOR Session Chairs: Saud Zakwani & Hussein Mustapha
08:45 - 09:10 KEYNOTE: Artificial Intelligence Driving Faster and Greater Insights in the
Exploration Workflow
Steve Freeman, Schlumberger
09:10 - 09:30 The Road toward Interpreting the World’s Largest 3D Seismic Survey in
Abu Dhabi, UAE, Using Innovative Artificial Intelligence Processing Technology
Khalid Obaid, ADNOC
09:30 - 09:50 How to Build Mechanical Earth Models Using Machine Learning Techniques
Saad Kisra, Schlumberger
09:50 - 10:10 COFFEE BREAK – 20 min – Foyer
10:10 - 10:35 KEYNOTE: Large Feature-rich Datasets, Big Models and Scalability
DELEGATE GIFT 10:35 - 10:55
Mauricio Araya Polo, Total
Optimal Survey Planning of the METIS® System with Artificial Intelligence
SPONSOR Remi Estival, Total S.A.
10:55 - 11:15 Machine Learning Terrain Classification for Seismic Acquisition in
Petroleum Development Oman
Charles El-Taha, Petroleum Development Oman
11:15 - 12:15 Moderated Discussion – 1 hr
12:15 - 12:30 Group Photo – 15 min
12:30 - 13:30 LUNCH – 1 hr – The Restaurant
SESSION 2 Processing and Analysis
MEDIA PARTNER Session Chairs: Dimitri Bevc & Tahar Ben Youssef
13:30 - 13:55 KEYNOTE: Deep Learning for Seismic Signal Identification, Classification,
Denoising, Imaging and Forecasting
Maarten de Hoop, Rice University
13:55 - 14:15 Image-to-image Transformations with 3D Conditional Generative
Adversarial Networks
Adam Halpert, Chevron
14:15 - 14:35 Winning with Simple Models: Detecting Earthquakes in Groningen,
the Netherlands
Umair bin Waheed, KFUPM
14:35 - 14:55 COFFEE BREAK – 20 min – Foyer
14:55 - 15:15 Wavefield Solutions from Machine Learned Functions
Tariq Alkhalifah, KAUST
15:15 - 15:35 Towards Wave-mode Separation on Field Data Using Deep Neural Networks
Elita Li, NUS
15:35 - 15:55 First Arrival Picking of Seismic Data based on the DBSCAN Clustering
Algorithm
Sherif M. Hanafy, KFUPM
15:55 - 16:55 Moderated Discussion – 1 hr
18:00 - 20:00 ICEBREAKER RECEPTION – Pool Lawn
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50Renewable Energy 23
PROGRAMME
REGISTER NOW
Early Bird Deadline: 18 March 2020
Monday, 20 April 2020
SESSION 3 Intelligent Velocity Model Building
Session Chairs: Ali Almomin & Maarten de Hoop
08:30 - 08:55 KEYNOTE: Optimization of Surface-Wave Picking by Using Machine Learning
David McCarthy, CGG
08:55 - 09:15 Surface-Wave Analysis Using Deep Neural Networks
Ernesto Sandoval Curiel, Saudi Aramco
09:15 - 09:35 Multi-Dimensional Automatic Velocity Picking Based on Deep Learning
Ahmad Kamal Azmi, Petronas
09:35 - 09:55 COFFEE BREAK – 20 min – Foyer
09:55 - 10:15 Ml-Misfit: Learning A Robust Misfit Function for Full-Waveform Inversion Using Machine Learning
Bingbing Sun, KAUST
10:15 - 10:35 Deep Learning Velocity Model Building by Mapping Pre-stack Waveforms to Vertical Velocity Profiles
Vladimir Kazei, KAUST
10:35 - 10:55 Building Realistic Elastic Models with Style Transfer
Oleg Ovcharenko, KAUST
10:55 - 11:55 Moderated Discussion – 1 hr
11:55 - 13:00 LUNCH – 1 hr 5 min – The Restaurant
13:00 - 14:45 POSTER SESSION
• Ammar Alali, Saudi Aramco | Geological and Data Driven ROP Advisory System
• Chao Song, KAUST | Identifying Microseismic Events in Time-Reversed Source Images Using Support
Vector Machine
• Qi Hao, KFUPM | Microseismic Source Location Using Feed-Forward Neural Networks
• Haibin Di, Schlumberger | Integrated Seismic Fault and Stratigraphy Interpretation via Deep Convolutional
Neural Networks
• Abdullah Alali, KAUST | Time-Lapse Cross-Equalization by Deep Learning
• Haoran Zhang, China University of Petroleum | Low-Frequency Extrapolation of Post-Stack Seismic Data
Based on Deep Learning
• Yuanyuan Li, KAUST | High-Resolution Regularized Elastic Full Waveform Inversion Assisted by Deep Learning
• Umair bin Waheed, KFUPM | Traveltime Computation Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks
• Amr Hujainah, Schlumberger | Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Exploration-to-Production Life Cycle
• Pavel Plotnitskii, KAUST | Seismic Model Low Wavenumber Extrapolation by a Deep Convolutional Neural
Network
• Muhammad Faisal Fayyaz, ADNOC | Automated Lithology Interpretation Using Machine Learning
• Gehrig Schultz, EPI GROUP | Unsupervised Machine Learning (ML) Drives Increased Capital Efficiency and
Minimizes Geological Risk in E&P Operations
• Bingbing Sun, KAUST | A Data-Driven Choice of Misfit Function for FWI Using Reinforcement Learning
• Ahmed Afify Shaheen, KFUPM | Detecting Earthquakes in Groningen, the Netherlands, Using Deep Learning
14:45 - 15:05 COFFEE BREAK – 20 min – Foyer
SESSION 4 Reservoir Geomechanics and Well Logging
Session Chairs: Ahmed Riza Ghazali & Daniele Colombo
15:05 - 15:30 KEYNOTE: A Machine Learning Framework and Algorithms for Well Logging Formation Evaluation
Lizhi Xiao, China University of Petroleum
15:30 - 15:50 Rapid Lithology Interpretation from Wireline Data: Scalable Machine Learning to Assist Geoscientists
Graham Baines, Halliburton
15:50 - 16:10 Deep Learning in Identifying Petrophysical Reservoir Properties Based on Seismic and Well Log Data
Emad Elsebakhi, Petronas
16:10 - 16:30 Intelligent Tracking and Statistical Analysis of Hydraulic Fracturing Network by Machine Learning
He Lin, BGP
16:30 - 17:00 Moderated Discussion – 30 min
SEG.ORG/EVENTS
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50Renewable Energy 24
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
SESSION 5 Automated Seismic Interpretation
Session Chairs: Thekriat Hussain & Khalid Obaid
08:30 - 08:55 KEYNOTE: Machine Applications for Geoscience Data Processing and
Interpretation
Aria Abubakar, Schlumberger
08:55 - 09:15 Discussions and Results of Machine Learning Interpretation of Clinoform
Systems in the Habshan Region
Mikael Kvalvær, RagnaRock Geo
09:15 - 09:35 New Possibilities of the Interpretation Seismic and Logging Data by
Machine Learning Based on the RTH’s Attributes
Gennady Erokhin, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
09:35 - 09:55 COFFEE BREAK – 20 min – Foyer
09:55 - 10:20 KEYNOTE: Deep Learning for Seismic Interpretation: Hype or Trend?
Stephane Gesbert, Shell
10:20 - 10:40 Deep Bayesian Neural Networks for Fault Identification and Uncertainty
Quantification
Lukas Mosser, Earth Science Analytics
10:40 - 11:00 Fault Detection from 3D Seismic Data Using Artificial Intelligence
Peter Szafian, Geoteric
11:00 - 12:00 Moderated Discussion – 1 hr
12:00 - 13:00 LUNCH – 1 hr – The Restaurant
SESSION 6 Smart Reservoir characterization
Session Chairs: Ali Al-Naamani & Stephane Gesbert
13:00 - 13:25 KEYNOTE: Electromagnetic Reservoir Characterization and Monitoring Using
Deep Learning Inversion and Fluid Flow Simulators
Daniele Colombo, Saudi Aramco
13:25 - 13:45 Predicting Rock Properties using Machine Learning Techniques and Seismic
Data for Reservoir Characterization
Shraddha Chatterjee, CGG
13:45 - 14:05 Well Log Data Prediction Based on 3D Seismic Data Using Machine Learning
Techniques
Roman Sukhanov, Gazpromneft Science and Technology Centre
14:05 - 14:25 COFFEE BREAK – 20 min – Foyer
14:25 - 14:45 Intelligent Seismic Interpretation Platform: Toward Quantitative Subsurface
Characterization
Nasher BenHasan, Saudi Aramco
14:45 - 15:05 Design and Practices of Seismic Interpretation Pattern in the Age of AI
Yang Ping, BGP
15:05 - 15:25 Improving Workflows of Unsupervised Seismic Multi-Attributes Clustering
Boshara M Arshin Sukar, Petronas
15:25 - 16:25 Moderated Discussion – 1 hr
16:25 - 16:45 Wrap-Up by Committee Co-Chairs – 20 min
SEG.ORG/EVENTS
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50Renewable Energy 25
Renewable Energy
Wind Farm Coastal Area Spain (Source Linha 10)
M odern economic growth and consumption
has been concentrated in Western nations
with oil, gas and coal providing most of the world’s
Against the backdrop of global warming and resource
scarcity though, how can ‘uncapped’ consumption be
sustained?
marketed energy; however, things are changing.
Through carbon emissions capping, many Western In this chapter we consider renewable energy
countries have in fact limited the use of fossil fuels. sources to identify what can effectively reduce oil
Through outsourcing, many Western countries have and gas demand, not just theoretically, but in an
also deindustrialised. The new growth economies are environmentally friendly and cost effective way1.
the ‘BRICs’ (Brazil, Russia, India and China) whose
industries and populations need more energy and Global Warming
resist capping.*
Since the 18th Century and the Industrial Revolution,
the temperature of the earth’s lower atmosphere has
been rising. Through the greenhouse effect, this has
led to an alteration of the delicately balanced global
climate system which is gradually being warmed.
The greenhouse effect is so termed because levels of
certain gases in the atmosphere have increased which
means that more heat is retained on the earth.
In normal atmospheric conditions, sunlight reaches
the earth passing through a layer of gases such as
water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4),
nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone. Here, infrared
Fig. 1 - Growth in Carbon Dioxide Emissions
radiation reflects off the earth’s surface but does
1990-2030 (Source US EIA)
not pass through the thermal layer as part of it is
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50Renewable Energy 26
Fig. 2 - Heat From the Sun is Trapped by the
Gases in our Atmosphere
trapped to keep temperatures suitable to life, about polar ice caps. Since 1999, researchers working with
60°F (16°C). If it were not for this heat trap, the the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica
average temperature of the earth would be below (EPICA) have drilled over 3000 m into the Dome C
freezing. The rapid industrialisation of the 18th ice, which corresponds to a geological timeline dating
century fuelled the demand for agriculture, land back nearly a million years. Over time, solids and
development and transport. As more fossil fuels such fluids are trapped in the ice, and these provide insight
as coal were burned and as forests were cleared for into the atmospheric mixture of gases present across
development, ever greater quantities of Greenhouse the timeline5.
Gases (GHG) were produced. Other types of gases
Researchers have found that CO2 is now about 30%
such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) also led to rising
higher than at any time, and methane 130% higher.
temperatures. Consequently, this resulted in more heat
The rates of increase are absolutely exceptional: for
being trapped and rising air and sea temperatures2,3,4.
CO2, this is 200 times faster than at any time in the
Since the Industrial Revolution, volumes of CO2 in the last 650,000 years.
atmosphere have increased from 270 parts per million
(ppm) to 370 ppm. This affects the natural CO2 cycle
Antarctic Climate Record
that takes place between the atmosphere, oceans and
forests. As greater quantities of CO2 are generated, EPICA aims to fully document the Antarctic’s
this leads to excessive loading of the natural cycle and climatic record and to compare this with Greenland’s
a decreased ability of the earth’s natural mechanisms record. To do this, scientists have employed drilling
(ocean and forests) to absorb CO2. This gas, CO2, has facilities to drill cores through the ice caps. Currently,
the greatest effect of GHGs and projections show that further cores are needed to cover extreme timescales
emissions will continue to grow. For CO2 emissions to with one core at a site of higher annual snowfall
stabilise at 550 ppm, there would have to be a major to provide a detailed record of events over the last
reduction in the emissions complemented by new glacial cycle, and the other core in a region of low
energy technologies that do not produce CO2 at all; snow accumulation. Taken together, the two cores are
however, more than 80% of today’s energy demands expected to shed light on the following key questions
are met by fossil fuels, which make replacement even not answered by the results from either the Greenland
more challenging. cores or the earlier Vostok drilling in Antarctica6:
Scientists have also started tracking changes in the ●● Are the rapid climatic changes of the last ice
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50Renewable Energy 27
age cyclic global events or are they restricted from a core obtained in the western Antarctic deep
largely to parts of the Northern Hemisphere Byrd ice. Dating of new cores can be performed by
where it is possible that geographic conditions matching acidic sulphur signals against volcanic
favour them? horizons identified within the Byrd core. To extend
the dating back 250,000 years, other techniques are
●● Are these rapid changes unique to the last glacial needed and include ice flow modelling controlled by
cycle or did they occur in previous cycles as matching features in the new cores (e.g. changes in
well? atmospheric, gas isotopic and chemical composition)
with corresponding features in the ice cores from
●● Is the relatively warm stable climatic period of Vostok and central Greenland as well as with the
the last 10,000 years an exception to the last ocean sediment records.
500,000 years?
Ice drill programmes have the twin goals of identifying Polar Ice Caps
changes in past climates and in atmospheric Some projected long term results of global warming
chemistry. One of the main ways of identifying include: the melting of polar ice caps, a rise in sea level
climate change is to determine the proportions of and coastal encroachment; the extinction of species
oxygen and hydrogen, two isotopes at different levels as habitats disappear; higher intensity tropical storms;
of the core through their presence in water. Equally and, an increased incidence of tropical diseases. The
important is the reconstruction of past atmospheric Polar Research Institute has been conducting studies
chemistry, including aerosols and water soluble on physical glaciology and has noted that over the
gases, in addition to the composition of atmospheric past 50 years the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets
gases trapped in bubbles within the ice. A variety of are thinning near the coast due to accelerating glaciers
techniques are used here including continuous flow and increased melting.
analysis to measure chemical levels. Sodium, calcium
and sulphate levels are also measured as these pro- Both are thickening inland due to increased snowfall.
Overall, both sheets are close to balance, i.e. the
snowfall gains are comparable to the coastal losses.
This is leading to a rise in sea level. At present, the best
estimate is that Antarctica and Greenland combined
contribute 0.2 mm per year of the 1.8 mm per year
global sea level rise8.
Several polar ice cap trends have been identified,
notably in the West Antarctic, where the ice sheet is
losing ice mass because the glaciers are flowing too
quickly, most likely due to warm ocean waters at their
termini, and that Arctic sea ice area and volume have
both decreased over the past 50 years or so.
Fig. 3 - EPICA
Temperature’s Up
vide information, respectively, on past atmospheric
Scientists keep track of global temperatures by
concentrations of sea salt (Na), soil dust (Ca), and
registering air and sea temperatures. According to
secondary aerosols derived from sulphur including
US environmental body figures, the global average
marine biogenic and volcanic emissions7.
temperature of the air at the earth’s surface has
All these measurements would be of little value, warmed between 0.5°F and 1°F (0.3°C and 0.6°C)
however, without accurate dating of the ice cores. since the late nineteenth century, while atmospheric
For the last 50,000 years this has been relatively temperature has risen 1.1°F (0.6°C), and sea level has
straightforward as detailed information has already risen several inches9.
been obtained from Central Greenland cores and
www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 50Renewable Energy 28
Fig. 4 - Polar Ice Caps
Little Boy
First noticed by fishermen in 1992, ‘El Niño’, removes freshwater from the North Atlantic ocean. If
which in Spanish means ‘Little Boy’ or the ‘Christ it decreases or disappears, the earth could warm and
child’, describes the arrival of a warm weather event Arctic oceans could freshen.
coinciding with Christmas. La Niña means ‘Little
Girl’ and is used to describe a cold weather event. Kyoto
El Niño is an alteration to the ocean atmosphere
system, which starts in the tropical Pacific but has In order to combat global warming, the UN held a
global repercussions. These include greater rainfall meeting in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997. This resulted in an
and flooding across the southern US and in Peru to international agreement to reduce emissions of GHGs
drought and bushfires in the Western Pacific. by indus-trialised nations. Not all industrial countries,
however, immediately signed or ratified the accord.
El Niño can be seen in sea surface temperatures in
the equatorial Pacific Ocean, such as those shown In 2001, the US government announced that it would
in Figure 4, which were made from the National abandon the Kyoto Protocol.At the time, this was
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s considered a major setback as the US generates 25%
(NOAA) array of moored buoys10. of global GHGs.
The predicted theoretical consequences suggest that 125 other governments agreed to a binding
any retreat of West Antarctica would have to be an international treaty which runs from 2005 to 2012.
accelerating process. If these are correct, the retreat Further to this, many individual US states have
we see today could accelerate sea level rise, and there committed to respecting Kyoto emissions levels at a
is enough ice in West Antarctica to raise sea levels by local level11.
five metres. Arctic sea ice cover plays two important
The Paris Agreement central aim is to strengthen the
roles: it reflects incoming solar radiation and it
global response to the threat of climate change by
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