Saudi Aramco has opened its Beijing Research Center (BRC) in Beijing, China.
HE Ali I. Al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, officially opened the 4,400m2 centre, making it the latest addition to Saudi Aramco’s global research and development network.
It will be managed and operated by Aramco’s office in Beijing.
The inauguration ceremony was led by Al-Naimi; Yahya Al-Zaid, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to China; Amin H. Nasser, acting president and CEO of Saudi Aramco; Ahmad O. Al Khowaiter, chief technology officer; Ahmed A. Al-Subaey, executive director for Marketing, Supply, and Joint Ventures Coordination; and Ibrahim Q. Al-Buainain, president of Aramco Asia.
The inauguration ushers in a new era of collaboration between the two countries, founded on a commitment to knowledge, research, and innovation, Al-Naimi said in keynote remarks at the opening attended by government officials from Saudi Arabia and China as well as business partners.
“Saudi Arabia recognises that the participation of its leading companies in China’s innovation system today brings great potential for mutual benefit tomorrow,” Al-Naimi said.
“It is a part of our plan to engage in global innovation in regions that have complementary expertise and capacities.”
Aramco’s global research program encompasses facilities in Houston, Detroit, and Boston in North America, as well as European facilities in Aberdeen in the UK, Paris in France, and Delft in the Netherlands.
Nasser spoke at a panel session about “Energy and Sustainability Challenges in China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Potential and Mechanisms for Future Cooperation.” He said the BRC would deliver “step changes” in Aramco’s global research capabilities.
“This research facility will add momentum as we produce fit-for-purpose innovation and technologies tied to our objectives and business needs,” Nasser said.
“These areas are crucial to Saudi Aramco’s strategic goals in discovery, recovery, sustainability, and reliability, and therefore, they are the centre’s main research thrust. Another key enabler is that China has a world-renowned expertise in chemical and enhanced oil recovery.”
Al-Buainan explained why Saudi Aramco chose Beijing, saying: “We view the BRC as the nucleus of technology and innovation development, and will bring about desired results,” he said, “such as the development of cutting-edge technologies, not only in the upstream field, but also in the downstream sector, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.”
BRC director Khalid O. Rufaii added: “One of the main objectives of the centre is to create science and develop technology that fundamentally changes and improves how we explore for oil and gas, extend reserves, and manage reservoirs.”
