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Saudi Aramco gets US patent

DHAHRAN - Saudi Aramco has been granted patent number 7,359,844 by the US patent and trademark office for Geomorph a road map technology that helps navigate thousands of feet beneath the earth's surface.

Geomorph inventors roger sung of the exploration applications services department and former employee Ken Lewis of the reservoir characterization department wanted to help resolve the significant challenge of finding and extracting oil and gas by providing those involved in the exploration process a better view underground. Accurate prediction and interpretation of reservoir geology play a key role in guiding, or Geosteering the drill bit to the optimal position.

Geomorph provides real-time data from the drilling rig to an earth model. The earth model uses this data along with geological, geophysical, petrophysical and engineering interpretations to create a three-dimensional picture of the reservoir - something like the physical model of a building that architects construct the shape of the building (3d structure of the reservoir), number of stories (size of the reservoir), window and door layout (porous space in the rock to potentially hold hydrocarbon) and color and content of the building (oil, gas, water or others).

Geoscientists and engineers can rotate and slice the earth model using advanced high-resolution visualization systems to gain a better understanding of the subsurface structures.

The Geomorph system uses logging-while-drilling (LWD) data sent directly from the rig and enables experts to analyze unexpected results and update the geological model within minutes of penetration.

"Geomorph significantly enhanced Geosteering efficiency, as an on the spot road map is created for maximum reservoir contact with pinpoint accuracy," said Dr. Adel S. Al-Naji, manager of the exploration application services department.

Geomorph has been successfully applied in the Ghawar, Abqaiq, Qatif and other fields with significant bottom-line contribution.

Saudi Aramco is the recognized leader in the technology, according to a latest news report carried by Saudi Aramco 's website.

The patent is the result of the combined effort of the inventors, the intellectual assets management group, the proponent departments, and law to identify and protect the intellectual property of Saudi Aramco , the report said.

Meanwhile, supporting the expansion of Saudi Aramco s offshore activities, the industrial services organization (ISO) has ordered 10 new anchor handling tug supply and safety vessels (AHTSS), some of which will be constructed by Saudi shipwrights at the port of Dammam.

Zamil Operations and Maintenance Co. (ZOMCO) was awarded contracts to deliver the new vessels. of the 10 vessels, four will be constructed at the contractor s shipyard in Dammam, according to a latest news report carried by Saudi Aramco 's web-site.

Amer A. Al-Sulaim, executive director of industrial services, said building these sophisticated support vessels in-kingdom demonstrates the capabilities and high level of expertise available with local contractors and the commitment to support Saudi Aramco s strategy of promoting the local economy.

He noted the vessels will be manned by Saudi crews when completed.

"Saudizing the contractor manpower is a step in the right direction that provides many benefits for the company and the country as a whole, " Al-Sulaim said.

The contracts require 45 percent Saudization at their inception, with 5 percent annual increases.

He emphasized important aspects in working with contractors, stressing the level of service provided, cost, quality, uninterrupted services and service reliability. "We've counted on our contractors to align to the ISO objectives," he added.

© The Saudi Gazette 2008