OREANDA-NEWS. November 06, 2013. The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) held its International Exposition and 83rd Annual Meeting in Houston, where Saudi Aramco and its U.S. subsidiary Aramco Services Co. (ASC) teamed up to reinforce the company’s multidisciplinary approach toward advancing petroleum exploration.  

Visibility at this year’s exposition included participation in the technical program with more than a dozen papers as well as workshop presentations led by EXPEC Advanced Research Center (EXPEC ARC) professionals.

For decades, EXPEC ARC researchers have been making contributions to geophysics, particularly in the area of land and shallow-water seismic acquisition and processing.

This year, these efforts were recognized by SEG as the organization presented its 2013 Distinguished Achievement Award to Saudi Aramco’s EXPEC ARC Geophysics Technology.

The society’s most prestigious award, it requires unanimous decision by both the SEG Honors and Awards and Executive committees.

Closer to the North America market, ASC Research and Development geophysicist Yang Zhao, along with his coauthor, was recognized during the conference with the award Best Paper in the Leading Edge 2012.

With more than 33,000 members in 138 countries, SEG’s monthly journal, The Leading Edge, is highly respected as an authoritative source for a wide range of geoscience papers. The paper, “Microseismic Interferometry,” was selected by the journal’s editorial board for its interest, form, readability and potential for the advancement of the geophysical profession.

Tim Keho, senior geophysical consultant at Aramco Research Center Houston, served as the liaison for the conference activities, coordinating the numerous papers, awards and workshop presentations. Keho said the quality and volume of material Saudi Aramco and ASC contributed to this year’s conference was amazing.  “We certainly had a high profile at SEG and will continue our tradition of leadership in the area of applied geophysical research,” said Keho.

ASC’s ultra-modern and angular exhibit booth used by Saudi Aramco at trade shows throughout the U.S. was the backdrop for engaging visitors to learn more about the company’s global R&D expansion with the opening of three U.S.-based research centers strategically located in Houston, Detroit and Boston.

Geophysicists are one of the many types of professionals ASC and Saudi Aramco are looking for to join asset teams for both conventional and the new unconventional initiative, which is relying on a variety of talent to help accelerate the delivery of commercial production of unconventional gas.