Aramco energizes IMAGE 2022 geosciences event in Houston

Aramco geoscientists turned out in large numbers at the 2022 International Meeting for Applied Geosciences and Energy (IMAGE) event in Houston put on by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG).

It was the second time the event was held since the two professional societies opted last year to collaborate, and inaugurated a joint annual conference. 

Houston mayor Sylvester Turner visited the company’s booth at this year’s event and spent a considerable amount of time interacting with employees. Some saw his visit as well-timed, just as Aramco Americas gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year of being based in Houston, where its corporate citizenship initiatives enjoy broad visibility and appreciation.

Innovation to enhance operations

Aramco geoscientists delivered 12 in-booth presentations and over 50 technical presentations and poster presentations on innovative work they are doing in the upstream space to make exploration and production activities more efficient and precise while reducing environmental impacts.

Dozens of employees from Aramco and Aramco Americas were in attendance. Attendees included Sa’id A. Al Hajri, manager of the Geological Operations Department and Ahmed M. Hakami, manager, Unconventional Resources Exploration and Characterization, who served as the AAPG Technical Program co-chair for IMAGE 2022. Two Aramcons spoke as experts on discussion panels at the event. 

Mohammad N. Alaskar, Aramco’s U.S. R&D director, took part in the conference’s Low Carbon Solutions Panel, where he discussed the company’s initiatives related to carbon capture and advanced transportation technologies, among its other efforts to address emissions across the energy value chain.

Aramco’s researchers and upstream experts shared significant insights at the conference about the innovative work they are doing to address the future of energy.
—Mohammad N. Alaskar

James P. Sledzik, managing director of Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures — U.S., participated in the panel on innovation that grouped together representatives of the venture capital world to share their insights on emerging trends related to startup companies.

Young talent recognized

Other highlights of the event included the SEG Geoscientists without Borders meetup, the AAPG Honors and Award Ceremony (where Hala A. Alwagdani received the AAPG Young Professionals Exemplary Service Award) and the Women’s Networking Breakfast.

Gretchen M. Gillis, senior geological consultant at Aramco Americas, was on-site as the immediate Past President of AAPG. “As incoming chair of the Oversight Committee for IMAGE 2023, I am pleased to see the evolution and greater integration of the geosciences in this singular global event as well as the continued generous support of Aramco for the IMAGE and the geoscientists who attended.”

In addition to traditional subsurface themes, the conference featured a range of panels on near surface engineering, digitalization, carbon management, and global energy challenges along with exhibition pavilions featuring these topics.

Last year’s conference was impacted by COVID-19, while this year it was primarily in-person, with a focus on the energy transition and how the industry is responding to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Caption for top image: Aramco team members participating in the 2022 International Meeting for Applied Geosciences and Energy (IMAGE) event pose in Houston.