Schlumberger opens Al-Khafji Oilfield Services base in Saudi Arabia

The new base is built on 20,000m² of property generously provided and supported by Al-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO). It consists of workshops and maintenance laboratories as well as office space and an equipment storage yard that is designed to support current KJO operations, future expansion needs and Schlumberger's Sauditization strategy.

The state-of-the-art facility houses more than 300 employees and encompasses the full repair and maintenance of specialized oilfield technologies and equipment in addition to engineering, planning and operations support expertise for the entire range of Schlumberger Oilfield Services during the life of an oil and gas reservoirs.

These include wireline technologies comprising both open-hole and cased-hole services; directional-drilling, measurement-while-drilling, and logging-while-drilling services; exploration and production pressure and flow-rate measurement services at the surface and downhole; services used during oil and gas well drilling and completion; and services used to maintain optimal production throughout the life of a well. The facility also supports well completion services and equipment; artificial lift; data and consulting services; and information solutions including consulting, software, information management, and IT infrastructure services to optimize oil and gas industry operational processes.

The facility was officially inaugurated in an opening ceremony held under the patronage of the Joint Operating Committee Chairman, Engineer Nizar M. Al-Adsani, and attended by Aramco Gulf Operations Company President and Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Mohammad A. Al-Shammary, along with distinguished guests from KJO, the Al-Khafji Government, Aramco, KGOC and Schlumberger. The new base is a symbol of 50 years of partnership and achievements between KJO and Schlumberger and marks the next phase of a successful relationship by enhancing collaboration to ensure service excellence across KJO upstream operations.

During the inauguration ceremony, Schlumberger KSA, Kuwait and Bahrain Vice President and General Manager, Mr. Sherif Foda, said: "Just over 50 years ago, in July 1959, we ran our first wireline log in Al-Khafji in well # 1. Since then, our history in Al-Khafji has tracked our history as a company as well as our record in developing technology as we continue to build strong relations with KJO represented by the Saudi Aramco Gulf Operations and Kuwait Gulf Oil Company and contribute in the oil sector and social development in the area."

The Joint Operating Committee Chairman, Engineer Nizar M. Al-Adsani, said: "The base construction was modeled on best practices and workflows captured from other bases and facilities around the world and implemented according to the highest industrial standards with a focus on efficiency, integration, security and workplace environment. Schlumberger continues to be a valuable partner in Al-Khafji and we look forward to continued collaborations in technology, research and workforce development in the oil and gas sector."

Schlumberger in Saudi aims to reach 70% Saudi nationalization by 2015 and also to expose more Saudi nationals to international operations in order to gain valuable experience, expertise and personal development through the diversity of operations and cultures.

Schlumberger Al-Khafji Operations Manager, Mr. Khalid Al-Saati, added: "Almost 60% of our workforce in Saudi Arabia comprises Saudi nationals and our international team includes 60 Saudis working outside the Kingdom to gain international experience, exposure and personal development."

Schlumberger's team in Saudi Arabia includes 4,000 employees, half of which are Saudi nationals. Employees work in Schlumberger Oilfield Services in KSA as well as in WesternGeco, Schlumberger's seismic arm, and the Arabian Drilling Company joint venture in which the company has held a share since 1964.

Schlumberger Oilfield Services new facility also reinforces the company's commitment to maximize Saudi local workforce capacity and to continue building skilled Saudi oil and gas experts within both Schlumberger's local and international operations, as part of the Schlumberger's commitment to play an active social and operational role in the countries where it operates.

KJO Relocation Plan Team Leader, Mr. Shayesh M. Al-Jandal, said: "Schlumberger has committed to the highest security and environmental standards in its new facility which not only allows it to better service KJO's operations through exploration and production technologies, but also provides a highly equipped headquarter that offers new employment opportunities and training facilities. KJO has always committed to the development of infrastructure that best meet Al-Khafji long-term goals, part of it being providing our long-term partners, such as Schlumberger, with facilities that have and will support our goals in the region."

The facility was built by a local Construction Contractor from Al-Khafji, another example of Schlumberger's commitment to develop and contribute to the communities where Schlumberger team work and live.

Schlumberger has also introduced the Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development Program (SEED) to one of Al-Khafji Schools, a program that aims to promote the learning of science in educational institutions across the globe.

Schlumberger also pledges to completely fit the winner's represented school with a state-of-the-art computer laboratory and an online science center. The SEED program works to educate students of global issues that have an influence on their futures. The program promotes education about issues such as water conservation, energy usage and conservation, and climate change. This is done through direct interaction with Schlumberger engineers and scientists and is available in seven languages, namely Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Schlumberger has also awarded laptops to top Students of Boys and Girls Government Secondary Schools in Al-Khafji to encourage them to pursue Higher Technical Education in Saudi Arabia or around the world, as well as to attract them to join Schlumberger's 'Borderless Career' program after graduation which provides them with career opportunities to advance from working on the field, to research and development divisions and to climb to managerial levels after reaching advanced levels of expertise.

The opening ceremony was followed by a guided tour of the facility during which new technologies and integrated solutions supporting KJO's operations were showcased.