Aramco Calls for the Implementation of 4.0 Industrial Revolution

Saudi Aramco logo
Saudi Aramco logo
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Aramco Calls for the Implementation of 4.0 Industrial Revolution

Saudi Aramco logo
Saudi Aramco logo

Saudi Aramco encouraged representatives of the oil and gas industries to press ahead with implementing Fourth Industrial Revolution (4.0) technologies, during its participation at the 2019 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).

Speaking at a panel titled “How is the industry embracing digital innovation?” on the industry’s digital transformation and the latest trends in technology, Aramco’s Senior VP of Operations and Business Services Muhammad al-Saggaf, discussed the company’s research and development (R&D).

He also addressed the deployment of the TeraPOWERS technology, which models reservoir physics from the original generation to final production. This technology enables Aramco to model the physics of its reservoirs to prioritize prospects, reduce exploration risks and costs, and manage its reservoirs.

Senior Vice President of Downstream Abdulaziz al-Judaimi will participate on Wednesday in panel “Downstream 4.0: Refining and Petrochemicals, Growth Through Innovation and Digitization,” on new strategies around digital, people and business partnership.

He is expected to shed light o the opportunities presented by 4th Industrial Revolution technologies and reaffirm Aramco’s commitment to continue developing, harnessing, and fully utilizing the emergent technologies for value creation.

World Economic Forum (WEF) recognized Aramco’s efforts in the energy sector’s 4.0 transformation in September 2018 when the company’s Othmaniyah Gas Plant was named one of the Fourth Industrial Revolution 4.0 “lighthouses”.

Aramco is the first energy company globally to be included in this group of 16 manufacturing sites selected from an initial list of 1,000 manufacturers from around the world.



Moscow Open to Dialogue with Trump on Syria

The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)
The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)
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Moscow Open to Dialogue with Trump on Syria

The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)
The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)

Russia, Iran, and Türkiye have called for an end to Israel’s military escalation in the Middle East, expressing concern over the worsening regional situation and warning of negative impacts on Syria.
At the conclusion of the 22nd round of Syria talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to a political solution, focused on restarting the work of the Constitutional Committee.
The escalation in the region, combined with the uncertainty following US President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, was a major topic of discussion in Astana, both during bilateral talks and in broader sessions.
The Russian delegation was led by Alexander Lavrentiev, Special Representative for Syria, while Iran’s delegation was headed by Ali Asghar Haji, Senior Political Advisor to the Foreign Minister. Türkiye’s delegation was led by Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Director-General for Syrian Affairs at the Foreign Ministry.
The Syrian government delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Riad, and the opposition delegation, led by Ahmad Tohme, were also present.
Representatives from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), along with observers from Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq, attended the talks.
UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen was also present.
Sources at the meetings told Asharq Al-Awsat that much of the discussion focused on the impact of ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon and their effects on Syria, particularly amid Israel’s efforts to expand the conflict.
There was a strong emphasis on preventing Syria from becoming further embroiled in the growing conflict. Additionally, the impact of Trump’s election on US policy towards the region and Syria was widely discussed, with increasing speculation that Trump might follow through on promises to withdraw US troops from Syria.
This issue was highlighted by Russia’s envoy, Lavrentiev, at the close of the talks.
Lavrentiev stated that Russia is open to talks with the new US administration once it is in place to discuss issues related to Syria.
“If there are proposals, Russia is open and ready to continue communication with the US,” he added.
According to Lavrentiev, “Some compromises can only be reached through negotiations.”
A source from the Syrian opposition, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, said there is a shared view that a US withdrawal from Syria is “not inevitable, even if Trump has mentioned it.”
The source noted that Trump has become more pragmatic and responsive to the "deep state," with a better understanding of foreign policy.
The source also pointed out that Türkiye shares this view. While Ankara wants the US to leave, it does not want a unilateral withdrawal without coordination, especially since the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are open to talks with both the Syrian government and Russia.

The discussions also highlighted that, despite Israel's efforts to reduce Iranian influence in the region, it is unlikely that Trump will push for a withdrawal under the current situation.