OREANDA-NEWS. November 06, 2013. The innovative research milestones, achievements and industry contributions over recent years by the EXPEC Advanced Research Center (EXPEC ARC) Geophysics Technology (GPT) Division have been internationally recognized by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG).

The 2013 SEG Distinguished Achievement Award was presented to EXPEC ARC GPT at the recent awards ceremony during the SEG annual conference and exhibition in Houston.

“We are honored by this industry-wide recognition for advancing the field of geophysics,” said Panos Kelamis, EXPEC ARC geophysics chief technologist. “This award reflects all geophysicists in Saudi Aramco: from acquisition, processing and technical services to interpretation and reservoir characterization.”

EXPEC ARC geophysicists are widely published and have received industry-wide recognition for significant advances in land seismic acquisition and processing — in particular, complex near-surface characterization, multiple elimination, imaging and coherency technology.

EXPEC ARC continues to innovate in areas of emerging technologies such as automation in the seismic value chain, land geophysical monitoring and multi-physics inversion. SpiceRack, a multiyear joint development program, is an example of GPT’s long-term vision to bring robotics and automation to seismic acquisition. New multi-physics technologies to complement 3D seismic reduce risk in Red Sea subsalt exploration.

“This major industry award is a privilege. We are very pleased to be recognized with such distinction for the committed efforts by our geophysicists,” said Samer AlAshgar, EXPEC ARC manager.

“Their innovative pursuits to develop creative technical solutions and comprehensive efficiencies have contributed to our company and the greater industry.”

“The novel technologies and techniques delivered by EXPEC ARC over recent years have provided significant business impact to Exploration’s mission, enhanced our processes, and supported many of our successes,” said Ibraheem Assa’adan, executive director of Exploration.

The Distinguished Achievement Award is the most prestigious SEG award given to a lab, company and/or research organization. EXPEC ARC Geophysics Technology joins a group of former recipients such as Exxon Production Research, Amoco, Shell, MIT, Colorado School of Mines, Stanford and TU Delft —to mention a few.

“I am extremely pleased to see that our role as an industry leader in the area of Geosciences was recognized with this prestigious award,” said Khaled A. Al Buraik, vice president of Petroleum Engineering and Development.

“Saudi Aramco has been known for its dynamic role in developing and advancing cutting-edge technologies in the area of Geophysics that helped us with our new discoveries. We will continue our commitment to develop technologies, build technical knowledge and establish productive partnerships throughout the industry.”

Per SEG bylaws, “The Distinguished Achievement Award shall be given from time to time to a company, institution or other organization for a specific technical contribution or contributions that have, in the opinion of the Honors and Awards Committee and the Executive Committee, substantially advanced the science of exploration geophysics.”

The selection process requires the unanimous decision of both the SEG Honors and Awards and Executive committees.

The SEG is a nonprofit organization and the largest professional society in geophysics that promotes the science of applied geophysics and the education of geophysicists. Founded in 1930, it fosters the expert and ethical practice of geophysics in the exploration and development of natural resources, in characterizing the near surface, and in mitigating earth hazards.

The society, which has more than 33,000 members in 138 countries, fulfills its mission through its publications, conferences, forums, websites and educational opportunities.