The Research and Development Center (R&DC) is working on a new generation of materials that can address Saudi Aramco’s production and operational challenges.
“We are pioneering research on advanced and nano-structured materials for specific oil and gas applications,” said R&DC Upstream Program director Abdullah M. Al-Houtan. “We want to develop materials that will enhance reliability and improve efficiency safely and cost-effectively.”
Al-Houtan said materials science has been an ongoing human endeavor for thousands of years.
“It has a long history under the name metallurgy, which is essentially material science for metals,” he said. “Most recently, material science has focused on nano-materials and nano-technology and how it can be used in new ways.”
Al-Houtan said R&DC’s newly formed Advanced Materials Group is working on a variety of projects.
“We are looking at nano-structured nickel coatings combined with carbon nano-tubes to be used for erosion and corrosion protection,” he said. “This project will be developed in collaboration among R&DC, Dammam College for Girls, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
“We’re also developing ionic liquids for separation applications in areas such as desulfurisation, salt removal and nano-particle conductivity.”
Other projects include looking for membrane materials for gas separation, which is being pursued for the Natural Gas and Sulfur Utilisation Project under the Downstream and Strategic R&D Program; and creating monitoring sensors to assess pipeline integrity, which is being led by one of the group’s experts in fiber-optic sensor technology for the Northern Area Pipelines Department.
“Putting together a strong team that can handle advanced materials for Saudi Aramco is a key to success,” said Al-Houtan. “In fact, we have an excellent mix of both highly experienced and new Saudi post-graduate scientists.”
“We have state-of-the-art equipment that supports our research,” Al-Houtan said. “The equipment includes a plasma spray and solution-spray system, freeze drying for nano-powder production, scanning electron workstations, pulsed electroplating, jet and slurry erosion equipment, and a high-temperature system that can reach up to 1,600 degrees Celsius.”
Now that it’s up and running, Al-Houtan sees big things ahead for the group.
“Successful as we have been in our first year,” he said, “we will continue to expand and position ourselves as a nationally and internationally recognized research group dedicated to becoming the most effective advanced materials group in the oil and gas industry for both upstream and downstream arenas.”
