Oil Operations Technology

Saudi Aramco uses the latest supercomputers, data communications networks, workstations and applications software to support its exploration and producing operations. These technologies support seismic processing, interpretation and modeling, reservoir simulation and description and information management.

Advanced visualization systems enable multi-disciplinary asset teams to effectively and efficiently analyze large data volumes. This allows for timely E&P decision-making, adding value through opportunity enhancement and risk avoidance. Advances in IT enable newly optimized and computer-intensive image processing Pre-Stack Time Migration (PSTM) and Pre-Stack Depth Migration (PSDM) techniques.

Saudi Aramco developed and deployed its first parallel reservoir simulator called POWERS in 2000. POWERS is capable of dynamically modeling large, mature reservoirs at very high spatial resolution and for very long time periods, using millions of cells. In November 2008,Saudi Aramco developed the second generation of POWERS, capable of generating models composed of more than a billion cells. (To learn more about GigaPOWERS, click here.) 

Saudi Aramco's upstream operations use Numerical Reservoir Simulation to manage its reservoirs. Strategic decisions on facilities planning and reservoir management issues are made using reservoir simulation models. Saudi Aramco has also developed the Simulation & Modeling Advanced Reservoir Technology System "SMARTS" environment to facilitate model development.