Schlumberger inaugurates state-of-the-art technology at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah

SR21 million donation to support development of future oil and gas professionals

Jeddah, May 13, 2011 - Global oilfield services provider Schlumberger today donated the state-of-the-art "Petrel seismic to simulation collaboration technology" valued at SR21 million to the Faculty of Engineering at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), in a commitment to bring on-ground experience and support skills development of future oil and gas professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The technology, originally created to help increase reservoir performance by improving asset team productivity, will enable engineering students gain experience in developing collaborative workflows and integrate operations to streamline processes in upstream oil and gas operations.

Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain Manager, Mr. Abdel Wahab Chebata, said: "Education is the foundation for building generations of professionals who will have a role in sustaining natural resources and bringing energy to people. However, we believe that sustainable development can be best accomplished with the partnership between theoretical education and professional training, or in other words, between education and the industry. We look forward to working closely with the universities and students here to help them acquire experience and develop their capabilities for the benefit of the industry in KSA."

The donation follows a series of technology donations made by Schlumberger geology, geophysics, petrophysics, drilling, and reservoir engineering at King Abdulaziz University and King Fahad University.

The Faculty of Earth Dean at King Abdulaziz University, Dr. Amar Ameen, said: "This marks another milestone in the relationship between our University and Schlumberger, and we look forward to further collaborations for the advancement of research and development in the oil and gas industry and apprenticeship of students in the Kingdom."

King Abdulaziz University one of the top universities in KSA offering educational programs in sciences, engineering, earth sciences, marine sciences, meteorology and environmental sciences, medicine, environmental designs, economics, arts and humanities. The university was also the first Saudi university to set up a Deanship for Distance Learning, allowing the student to study according to a flexible schedule and balance professional and family obligations.

Schlumberger and KSA have over 65 years of partnership in oilfields servicing, technology sharing and social involvement.

Schlumberger Middle East Vice President, Mr. Sherif Fouda, said: "Schlumberger has a long-standing commitment to supporting educational institutions with the latest technologies in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. In 2006, it inaugurated the first Center for Science and Technology Research at King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals. Schlumberger also inaugurated the first center in KSA for the manufacturing of oil reservoir custom equipment in 2009."

"Today, the company employs 2200 Saudi national, 120 of which are serving in global areas of operations side by side with Schlumberger employees from across the world," said Fouda.

Schlumberger has made several software donations to universities in KSA as well as in Kuwait, Oman and other countries. The oilfields services leader also organizes yearly internship programs for students in the Middle East, workshops and seminars at universities, and contributes to local high schools with the Schlumberger Excellence in Education Development (SEED) program, a worldwide program that engages students in science education".

-Ends-

About King Abdulaziz University
Named after the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) was established in 1387h/1967g and as a public university in the Western area of Saudi Arabia. Sixty-eight male students and 30 female students join KAU in its first academic year. The year after, KAU inaugurated its first college, the College of Economics and Management, followed by the college of Arts and Human Sciences a year later. In 1394h/1974g, KAU became a government university and added the College of Shariaa' and the College of Higher Education to its educational offering.

Since then, KAU has become one of the leading universities in the Middle East, offering graduates and post graduate studies to students from across the Middle East.

Today, KAU has a student population 82,152 male and female students enrolled in the Colleges of Engineering, Social Sciences, Dentistry, Marine Sciences, Earth Sciences, Nuclear Engineering, Medical Engineering, Meteorology and Aviation and Mineralization. In addition to providing an Educational Science program for educators and housing a blood bank, a university hospital, and a state-of-the-art genome research center.

About Schlumberger
Schlumberger is the world's leading supplier of technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to customers working in the oil and gas industry worldwide. Employing approximately 108,000 people representing over 140 nationalities and working in approximately 80 countries, Schlumberger provides the industry's widest range of products and services from exploration through production.

Schlumberger Limited has principal offices in Paris and Houston. For more information, visit www.slb.com.

Reporters may contact:
Leslie Mouawad
Bensirri PR
Mobile: 00965-99981334
Email: leslie@bensirri.com