Sustained Success
Petroleum Engineering and Development celebrates decades of sustained success
Aramco marks 50 years of success in Zuluf and Marjan Fields, a decade of production in Manifa.
Saudi Arabia has passed many milestones that have transformed it into a modern and prosperous nation. In line with this, Aramco’s Petroleum Engineering and Development (PE&D) is celebrating 85 years since Dammam No. 7 was declared a commercial producer, 50 years of production and reliability in the Zuluf and Marjan offshore fields, and 10 years of phenomenal performance at Manifa.
Recent celebrations to mark these achievements were attended by Aramco senior management. Waleed A. Al-Mulhim, PE&D senior vice president, emphasized the crucial role human capital plays in the successful operation of oil fields, recognizing the exceptional technical expertise and dedication of Aramco employees.
Our employees are the backbone of our achievements. They are more than capable of delivering sustainable and reliable energy, and we trust them to continue doing so for many years to come.
— Waleed A. Al-Mulhim
Faisal N. Al-Nughaimish, vice president and chief petroleum engineer, echoed these sentiments, remarking that the triumph of these fields is a testament to the capability and commitment of our people:
“Our employees have been the driving force behind this journey, and we take immense pride in their contributions," he said.
Digging deep
Eighty-five years ago, a group of explorers set out on a journey to discover oil in the Kingdom. In 1936, after six failed attempts to find commercial quantities of oil, Max Steineke and his team devised a deep drilling plan for Dammam No. 7. He was certain that there was an abundance of oil.
After 18 months, in March 1938, Dammam No. 7 officially started producing at commercial rates. This was the beginning of a new chapter in the Kingdom’s history, and rapidly led to the discovery of more legendary fields.
Two of those fields are Zuluf and Marjan — offshore giants with a legacy beginning in 1973. Similarly, the Manifa Field was discovered in 1957, and in 2006, the development of Manifa began, increasing production capacity to meet rising global demand.
These fields have remained reliable and resilient, hitting record-breaking oil production milestones, thanks to the stewardship of dedicated engineers using innovative reservoir management practices and technologies.
Engineering wonder
Technology and innovation are the keys to sustainable production. Manifa Bay, for example, has been termed an engineering wonder of the modern world. Development has been sensitive of the environment’s shallow water and ecological importance.
Aramco’s Marjan project is similarly exceptional. For the first time, an integrated initiative encompasses the simultaneous development of offshore and onshore oil and gas production, gas injection, water injection, and processing plants.
Marjan is poised to redefine offshore construction, with its unprecedented scale and complexity — the largest platforms, the longest subsea cables, and intricate networks of subsea pipelines. Situated within one of Aramco’s busiest operational fields, the project presents unparalleled logistical challenges.
Vital to the global energy future
Zuluf, meanwhile, has pioneered subsurface techniques that have helped to shape other developments. It also is undergoing a massive increment program, utilizing the most advanced surface and subsurface technologies.
By maximizing local content, nurturing talent, and embracing digital solutions, Aramco continues its legacy of executing mega-projects, emphasizing value creation, and sustainable growth.
Reflecting its roots as a pioneer, the Dammam field is undergoing an ambitious re-development — a remarkable undertaking given it was discovered some 85 years ago. Dammam, along with Zuluf, Marjan, and Manifa, continues to play a vital role in the global energy landscape.
