twitter linkedinfacebookacp contact us

Saudi Aramco unveils its ‘Fourth industrial revolution centre’

Industry

Saudi Aramco has unveiled its new ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ (4IR) Centre, a remodelled and vastly expanded office wing at Dhahran

The 4IR centre will play a pivotal role in enhancing its workforce’s technical skills and bringing advanced technology capabilities to realise the digital transformation vision of the company.

The centre will help the company’s operational performance to enable greater efficiencies and significant cost savings and further strengthen its role in the oil and gas industry.

Ahmad A. Al-Sa’adi, senior vice-president of technical services, said, “We are excited about the potential of the centre. It will play a vital role in accelerating the digital transformation across Saudi Aramco, be pivotal in enabling a paradigm shift for our operations through more digital technologies while unlocking new business and operating models.”

Technology Zones:

The centre is designed to support end-to-end case development throughout its design, ideation, prototyping, piloting, and full-scale deployment.

The facility features 279 sq m of video walls, with a total of more than 109mn pixels pitch that split into multiple clusters and zones.

Visitors are welcomed by a ‘V-receptionist’ hologram that provides safety instructions and gives an overview of the centre. At the heart of the centre is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub’s, ringed by a massive concave video screen displaying more than 20 operational solutions.

The AI Hub focuses on developing advanced analytics and machine learning solutions in hydrocarbon-related applications. Big data and advanced analytics use innovative solutions in this domain to visualise and predict the performance of critical Saudi Aramco assets.

This hub combines in-house development with external tools to enable the company’s subject matter experts to make timely decisions to improve the availability, use and efficiency of assets. The value and cost savings realised from these solutions highlight the significant impact on the operations and business of the company.

Next to the AI Hub is the ‘VR Zone’, which, among other capabilities, is used to develop, prototype, and train for augmented and virtual reality. This hub can be used to visualise plant assets and get a real sense of plant experience from a simulation booth.

The centre has the ability to demonstrate operational use of air, ground and underwater robots through the UAV space. This section combines technologies that support a variety of different applications, including methane detection, emergency response, inspection services, project monitoring, inventory management, and many others, to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and improve health, safety, and environment.

The oil and gas industry has been increasingly adopting AI technology in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

SmartMaster can be used with a range of ABB and third-party instruments. (Image source: ABB)

Comparison of conventional workflow with DUG MP-FWI imaging. (Image source: DUG)

The expansion is expected to increase the plant’s processing capacity from 2.5 to up to 4 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd). (Image source: Aramco)

GAC Saudi Arabia has extensive operations at major ports in Saudi Arabia. (Image source: GAC Saudi Arabia)

ARO Drilling and IMI announce first Kingdom jack up rig (Image source: ARO)

Oman LNG signed various agreements with Shell Gas to secure its gas supply until 2034. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Michael Monica, director sales, marketing and customer care at GPT Industries signs the agreement with Mohamed Altaf, sale manager, Abdulla Fouad Energy Services. (Image source: Alain Charles Publishing)

Amin H. Nasser, CEO of Aramco. (Image source: Aramco)

The system can activate notification and hazard mitigation equipment to notify workers and safeguard facilities. (Image source: MSA Safety)

The use of blockchain in the oil and gas sector is set to increase substantially. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The new discoveries will bolster Aramco’s strategy to increase gas production by more than half over 2021 levels, through 2030. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Tethys Oil is currently conducting final preparations ahead of the rig mobilisation for the drilling of the first exploration well on Block 58, Kunooz-1 in Fahd.

Source: SafeStart

The new technology is designed to address the challenging conditions in unconventional wells. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Ampelmann A-type enabling safe offshore access in the Middle East. (Image source: Ampelmann)

Aramco has produced the first unconventional tight gas from its South Ghawar operational area ahead of schedule. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Tethys Oil is currently conducting final preparations ahead of the rig mobilisation for the drilling of the first exploration well on Block 58, Kunooz-1 in Fahd.

TotalEnergies and SONATRACH will develop gas resources in Algeria's north-east Timimoun region, (Image source: Adobe Stock).

By using analytics to augment and empower the workforce, pipeline operators can optimise operations and improve asset availability. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The oil price is hovering around the US$90/bbl mark. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Craig International Qatar team. (Image source: Craig International)

The SuperFill II diverter reduces induced surge pressure. (Image source: Halliburton)

Among other services, KBR will offer proprietary equipment for NCIC's 1,200 metric tonnes per day ammonia plant. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The expansion is expected to increase the plant’s processing capacity from 2.5 to up to 4 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd). (Image source: Aramco)

Comparison of conventional workflow with DUG MP-FWI imaging. (Image source: DUG)

ADNOC Gas recorded robust financial and operational results in 2023. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Over 4,000 km of SoluForce pipe has been installed around the world. (Image source: SoluForce)

Block 56 is targeted for commercialisation in 2024. (Image source: Canva)

The programme will optimise asset lifecycle, enhance machinery performance and improve overall reliability. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The use of blockchain in the oil and gas sector is set to increase substantially. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Source: SafeStart

GAC Saudi Arabia has extensive operations at major ports in Saudi Arabia. (Image source: GAC Saudi Arabia)

The company is well positioned in 2024, with a reshaped and resilient business and a strong balance sheet. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The vessel addresses the growing demand for accurate hydrographic data. (Image source: Fugro)

The virtual inhouse seismic processing centre will allow each of the decentralised business units of Wintershall Dea globally to collaborate efficiently and directly with DUG. (Image source: Adobe Stock)