08 May 2013
JUBAIL - Saudi Aramco has trained 55 engineers to work in its Manifa oil fields after an intensive training, officials said on Tuesday.
The 55 engineers came from Saudi Aramco's various department and were sent to Manifa, bringing with them their newly acquired knowledge and expertise.
Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani, superintendent of Manifa Central Processing Facilities, said the company has recruited a large number of young Saudis through its apprenticeship program.
"They have completed their training in similar plants in the northern area," Al-Qahtani said. "These young men were supplemented with seasoned employees who oversaw all the work assigned to them while maintaining the strictest safety and quality standards," he added.
"This process yielded astonishing results as we actually managed to transfer knowledge and expertise in a practical and professional manner, all of this leading to the smooth commissioning of Manifa, on time and without incident."
Mohammed Abdulwahid, superintendent, said: "We are proud of the young technicians' achievements, even though more than 70 percent of them have less than five years' experience."
He said the average age of employees is between 19 and 25 years, and they have proved to be up to the challenge.
Manifa is about 130 kilometers north of Jubail and currently processing 900,000 barrels per day, making it one of Saudi Aramco's largest oil producing fields after the 1.2 million barrels per day Khurais facility.
Abdulwahid said: "Manifa stands out among its counterparts because of its energy self-sufficiency, as it co-generates 420 megawatts of electric power together with steam. Manifa is also unique because of its recycling of 3 million standard cubic feet per day of flare gas."
Al-Subaiey, a 26-year-old employee who completed the apprenticeship program in 2008, said he worked at Safaniyah for six months, then at the Karan field for one year before being assigned to Manifa.
With Al-Subaiey is Sultan R. Al-Qahtani, who joined Manifa in 2012. Al-Qahtani's role includes preparing for the commissioning of the plant.
Originally from Tathlith near Wadi Ad-Dawasir in the South, Al-Qahtani said he joined Saudi Aramco, "because it is the largest industrial company and because it gives each employee the opportunity to develop himself both professionally and academically."
Muhammad S. Al-Shammari said they also have to preserve the area's marine ecology with its beauty and wonders, including reefs, various types of fish and shrimps among others. The young senior offshore operations engineer said of Manifa: "Saudi Aramco provided protection, all of the implemented designs for the causeway, the sea islands and the marine platforms which complied with global safety and environmental protection standards."
Before Abdullah A. Balkhyoor joined the Manifa project, he split his time between Jeddah and New York State University in Buffalo where he graduated with top honors in chemical engineering.
Balkhyoor joined the company's College Degree Program while in New York and became a company-sponsored student.
In Manifa, Balkhyoor is responsible of ensuring that operations are carried out safely and that every device and tool functions correctly and safely before commissioning.
Yusuf H. Al-Shehri, senior representative in operations, said that after more than seven years of incredible effort, the commissioning of the Manifa project has given light to the whole area.
He said: "When it comes to developing young people, particularly new engineering graduates, there is no disputing the fact that Saudi Aramco sets the bar. Such development is done through the three-year Professional Development Program."
These enthusiastic young employees are an indicator of Saudi Aramco's training program. and the economic development in the Kingdom.
JUBAIL - Saudi Aramco has trained 55 engineers to work in its Manifa oil fields after an intensive training, officials said on Tuesday.
The 55 engineers came from Saudi Aramco's various department and were sent to Manifa, bringing with them their newly acquired knowledge and expertise.
Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani, superintendent of Manifa Central Processing Facilities, said the company has recruited a large number of young Saudis through its apprenticeship program.
"They have completed their training in similar plants in the northern area," Al-Qahtani said. "These young men were supplemented with seasoned employees who oversaw all the work assigned to them while maintaining the strictest safety and quality standards," he added.
"This process yielded astonishing results as we actually managed to transfer knowledge and expertise in a practical and professional manner, all of this leading to the smooth commissioning of Manifa, on time and without incident."
Mohammed Abdulwahid, superintendent, said: "We are proud of the young technicians' achievements, even though more than 70 percent of them have less than five years' experience."
He said the average age of employees is between 19 and 25 years, and they have proved to be up to the challenge.
Manifa is about 130 kilometers north of Jubail and currently processing 900,000 barrels per day, making it one of Saudi Aramco's largest oil producing fields after the 1.2 million barrels per day Khurais facility.
Abdulwahid said: "Manifa stands out among its counterparts because of its energy self-sufficiency, as it co-generates 420 megawatts of electric power together with steam. Manifa is also unique because of its recycling of 3 million standard cubic feet per day of flare gas."
Al-Subaiey, a 26-year-old employee who completed the apprenticeship program in 2008, said he worked at Safaniyah for six months, then at the Karan field for one year before being assigned to Manifa.
With Al-Subaiey is Sultan R. Al-Qahtani, who joined Manifa in 2012. Al-Qahtani's role includes preparing for the commissioning of the plant.
Originally from Tathlith near Wadi Ad-Dawasir in the South, Al-Qahtani said he joined Saudi Aramco, "because it is the largest industrial company and because it gives each employee the opportunity to develop himself both professionally and academically."
Muhammad S. Al-Shammari said they also have to preserve the area's marine ecology with its beauty and wonders, including reefs, various types of fish and shrimps among others. The young senior offshore operations engineer said of Manifa: "Saudi Aramco provided protection, all of the implemented designs for the causeway, the sea islands and the marine platforms which complied with global safety and environmental protection standards."
Before Abdullah A. Balkhyoor joined the Manifa project, he split his time between Jeddah and New York State University in Buffalo where he graduated with top honors in chemical engineering.
Balkhyoor joined the company's College Degree Program while in New York and became a company-sponsored student.
In Manifa, Balkhyoor is responsible of ensuring that operations are carried out safely and that every device and tool functions correctly and safely before commissioning.
Yusuf H. Al-Shehri, senior representative in operations, said that after more than seven years of incredible effort, the commissioning of the Manifa project has given light to the whole area.
He said: "When it comes to developing young people, particularly new engineering graduates, there is no disputing the fact that Saudi Aramco sets the bar. Such development is done through the three-year Professional Development Program."
These enthusiastic young employees are an indicator of Saudi Aramco's training program. and the economic development in the Kingdom.
"Their words vibrate with self-confidence, with an attachment and admiration for the company, assuring that they will give it their all to ensure the plant functions to its fullest capabilities," an official said.
Al-Shehri said: "In 2008, Saudi Aramco launched its vision and developed the general layout of the Manifa plant, starting with the retirement and removal of the old, limited-capacity Manifa plant."
"The Manifa Program immediately started to recruit and train scores of young engineers and operators to smoothly operate the plants which extend onshore and offshore," he added.
"The Manifa story represents a heritage dating back to 1966, and here you have it, young people giving a distinct touch of modernity through the magnificent feats they have accomplished."
© The Saudi Gazette 2013
