August 21, 2019 Vol. LXXIV, No. 32 a weekly publication for employees making history with our first earnings call see page 2

2019Saudi Arabian Oil Company half-year report for the six months ended June 30, 2019

www.saudiaramco.com ©2016,©2019, Saudi Aramco

Excelling across all metrics

itabi cale grati iabili inab afety rof lity S nte on Rel ty sta ilit S P I Su y (kg of (per CO2 equivalent 200,000 work $ (billion) (mmboed) (mmbpd) (%) per boe) hours) 46.9 13.2 4.6 99.9 10.2 0.009

Net Hydrocarbon Refining Reliability Upstream Lost time income production gross carbon injury rate throughput intensity (2018 full year)

have an invention in mind? Saudi Aramco’s IT Future Center offers a platform for innovation see page 3 August 21, 2019 the arabian sun 2 company news CEO shares details of recent Board of Directors meeting Boston, Mass. — Saudi Aramco’s Boston Research Center ing June 30. tations, and briefings, and was very complimentary of the in Massachusetts was the focus of a special tour by the The Risk and HSE Committee also met and received company and its achievements,” said Nasser. company’s Board of Directors as part of a technical pro- “deep dive” presentations on Top Corporate Risks, cover- “The board was highly engaged with management and gram agenda during its recent three-day meeting. ing cybersecurity and major nonindustrial incidents. supportive of the company’s plans and programs designed The center supports both Saudi Aramco’s upstream and In addition, said Nasser, the committee reviewed Saudi to make us the world’s leading integrated energy and downstream business and is part of a global network es- Aramco’s HSE scorecard for the second quarter of 2019, chemicals company.” tablished by the company. containing performance indicators on specific health, safe- The center works collaboratively with the renowned Mas- ty, and environmental metrics and targets. unprecedented announcement sachusetts Institute of Technology, which is located in close Turning to the recent unprecedented announcement of proximity. updates Saudi Aramco’s half-year financial results, which were de- Its focus is on modeling, visualization, simulation, and On the second day of the Boston meeting, the Board had tailed in an earnings call webcast led by Khalid H. Al-Dab- advanced materials. another full agenda and received updates on a number of bagh, senior vice president of Finance, Strategy and De- transactions, initiatives, and projects. velopment, Nasser said the announcement has generated employees thanked Board members reviewed the company’s Mid-Year Ac- extensive domestic and global media coverage, including Saudi Aramco’s president and CEO Amin Nasser gave de- countability and Financial Condition Report, and endorsed social media posts. tails of the visit and the business discussed in Boston at updates to the company’s corporate strategy, investment Nasser said the “historic” announcement had boosted Sunday’s weekly conference call. plan and business plan targets. Saudi Aramco’s reputation for transparency. Nasser began by praising employees who worked over The Board additionally received an update on Saudi Ar- “This was a momentous occasion, and I would like to various fronts during the recent ‘Id al-Adha holiday. amco’s technology strategy. thank everyone, especially Khalid’s team, for their hard He revealed that the Board of Directors and its commit- The technical program also saw a presentation by Mas- work over many months, culminating during the ‘Id holi- tees had worked through a full agenda in Boston. sachusetts-based Desktop Metal on its latest 3-D printing day.” The Audit Committee, he said, had reviewed and en- technology, and a presentation by Boston Dynamics of its Nasser thanked employees who worked over the holiday, dorsed the company’s Consolidated Interim Financial Re- advanced robotics technology. and also those that helped to make the Hajj season a suc- port on Aug. 7 for the three- and six-month periods, end- “Overall, the board was pleased with the reports, presen- cess.

Saudi Aramco reports first half  net income of $. billion

Dhahran — Earlier this month, Saudi issuance, marked a significant milestone companies by revenues. This is a major Aramco announced for the first time its in Saudi Aramco’s history. step in accelerating growth in down- half-year financial results. “We demonstrated our reliability with stream through refining and petrochem- The company’s net income was $46.9 near 100% delivery on our customers’ icals integration, maximizing the profit- billion for the first half of 2019, com- requirements for oil and refined prod- ability from every molecule we produce. pared to $53 billion for the same peri- ucts, maintaining our total hydrocarbon “We grew our trading business and od last year. Earnings before interest production of 13.2 million barrels of oil scaled up innovation efforts through pio- and tax* was $92.5 billion, compared equivalent per day, and an average dai- neering initiatives such as crude to chem- with $101.3 billion a year earlier. Free ly crude production of 10 million barrels icals, nonmetallic materials manufactur- cash flow* was $38 billion, compared per day. ing, and hydrogen fuels,” he continued. to $35.6 billion for the same period last “Leveraging our strength in Upstream, “Environmental and safety perfor- year. The capital expenditure was $14.5 we continued to deliver on our down- mance is at the forefront of the way we billion, compared to $16.5 billion for the stream growth strategy, including acqui- operate. We are particularly proud of the same period in 2018. sitions in both and key in- fact that, for the first time, we announce “Despite lower oil prices during the ternational markets,” said Nasser. “These our upstream carbon intensity, which is first half of 2019, we continued to de- acquisitions are expected to enhance among the lowest globally. liver solid earnings and strong free cash dedicated crude placement, increase re- “Looking ahead, we will maintain a flow underpinned by our consistent op- fining and chemicals capacity, capture prudent and flexible balance sheet. Our erational performance, cost management value from integration, and diversify our financials are strong and we will continue and fiscal discipline,” said president and operations. to invest for future growth.” CEO Amin Nasser. “Disclosing our finan- “We also signed an agreement to ac- cial results for the first time, as part of quire a 70% equity stake in SABIC, which our $12 billion debut international bond is among the world’s top petrochemicals * Non-IFRS number

your voice coping with different approaches in the workplace I wonder why they say boxing is the enough because without urgency, de- Most often, those who work with ur- sweet science. I cannot see anything sire loses its value. But Dwight D. Ei- gency are also maximalists. Those who sweet in reconfiguring your opponent’s senhower had a strong case when he procrastinate are also minimalists. The face while also risking breaking your opined, “What is important is seldom moment they get working together own ribs in the brutal exchange. Any- urgent; what is urgent is seldom im- with such different approaches, it can how, there is a common adage in box- portant.” create difficulties. ing that says certain styles make classic Employee B has an entrenched habit Employee A wants to get things fights. to procrastinate. For him, if something done. Employee B finds the extra work Same is true in the workplace, albeit is really important, it’s still important to- too much and unnecessary. Employee A the differences are not classic but can morrow so why the rush? You only live thinks the extra details will add to qual- be problematic. once so take time to smell the flowers ity, while Employee B thinks those ex- In general, workers fall either un- by the wayside. English actor Christo- tras are uncalled for. Left to themselves, der one of two categories — urgency pher Parker was brilliant when he re- the situation can escalate. Each passing or procrastination. Let’s see how these torted, “Procrastination is like a credit moment can be precarious. by Jilbert Calpito two work styles collide, which surely card; it is fun until the bill comes.” So how can you manage these guys creates differences of opinion among So imagine the situation among sub- so as to be on the same page? In cases [email protected] the actors. ordinates when the boss gave an as- such as this, patience really is a virtue. Employee A has a habit of working signment to the team. Employee A acts Ralph Waldo Emerson perhaps said with urgency. For him, time is of the es- with urgency — and expects everyone it best. “Success requires both urgency sence. to keep pace. Employee B feels pres- and patience. Be urgent about making Your Voice reflects the thoughts and opinions of the writer, and not necessarily those of the Once he receives an assignment, his sured. In contrast, Employee A thinks the effort, but be patient about seeing publication. adrenaline springs him into action. True the latter is lacking on the team effort. the results.” the arabian sun August 21, 2019 company news 3 have an invention in mind? Saudi Aramco’s IT Future Center offers a platform for innovation by Scott Baldauf IES members — Members of the Innovation assemble the Ecosystem Society (IES) — a professional digits to the hand society for entrepreneurs and inventors of a 3-D printed robotic arm at the — are featuring some of their latest inven- IT Future Center. tions at a Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR Inspired by the 4.0) exhibition at the IT Future Center in technologies of the Dhahran. Fourth Industrial The inventions provide real case solu- Revolution, the participants have tions and technologies that were de- learned how to signed, built, and tested at the center. write their own The exhibition, a collaboration between coding for Arduino the IES, the IT Future Center, and the Man- computer control agement and Professional Development boards, and have been tasked to find Department (M&PDD), is open for visitors potential real world from now until the end of September. applications in At a time of continual technological industrial settings. change, innovation has become a key fac- (Photos: Nadiah tor for remaining competitive. Saudi Ar- Buobaid/MPD) amco, in support of the Saudi Vision 2030 strategic goal of strengthening and diversi- fying the Saudi economy through technol- ogy and innovation, has been beefing up its own efforts to encourage innovation at the workplace. By encouraging the inventive talents of its young tech savvy workforce, Saudi Ar- amco hopes to attract and retain the tal- It is proof of a concept for a technology, ented employees who have the drive and requested by Drilling and Workover that in the skill set to help us meet future chal- exhibition highlights the future may give operators in the field lenges. The IR 4.0 exhibition highlights many user cases of IR 4.0, utilizing such technologies a faster and safer method of closing valves “This exhibition speaks to the fact that as 3-D printing, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning: when time is essential. the company wants to be seen as a tech- nology and innovation leader,” said Sa- Smart Mirror — your best friend mantha Horseman, the Human Energy IoT humanoid robotics Smart e-waste Some of the innovations, including the Management lead with M&PDD. “For us Mirror installations Smart Mirror developed by Athavan R. to do that, we need a culture and a mind- “Raja” Durairaj, an applications and sys- set that encourages innovation and entre- A number of 3-D printed Anybots meet Demo of an Artistic tems specialist with Information Technolo- preneurship. And the truth is that we all new solutions, life-sized robot and greet, plus interactive renderings of gy at Saudi Aramco, could easily end up as have the ability to innovate and contribute involving various with a demonstration mirror, using cyborgs, common devices in every home. The Smart to the company’s future.” patents and completed arm of other robotic Raspberry Pi and recycling of Mirror is like a mirrored computer screen prototypes from and finger technologies Google assistant company the e-factory, demo e-waste that uses voice recognition to receive robots, defibrillators, and more demonstrating commands, converting those commands The first thing you see at the IR 4.0 ex- potential through Raspberry Pi to carryout requests. hibit is that “something” actually sees you, business uses for “You can be brushing your teeth and and rolls up to greet you. It’s an Anybot. the connected ask the mirror about the weather forecast, worker, HSE, and Operated by Sultan Al Duraywish, an IES human-machine or you can ask for your agenda for the member and a graduate student of indus- interfaces day,” said Mada Alabduljabbar, a graduate trial design from King Saud University in of industrial design from San Jose State , the Anybot is a telepresence robot University, now working at a 3-D printing that can carry out a number of business a small coin. This transmitter has been de- puter cursor moves to the command bar company in . tasks on behalf of a human operator. signed to deliver a 720-volt pulse from the of the internet browser. She taps her index But other innovations are more artistic “It has sensors to see and hear those mobile phone through electrodes attached and middle finger onto her thumb, and and whimsical. Alabduljabbar shows off around it, and it has a screen so that peo- to the chest of a person who is suffering a the browser opens. some jewelry she made from e-waste, in- ple can see the face of who is operating heart attack. This automated external de- “The computer can read electrical im- cluding resistors, old capacitors, and even the Anybot,” Al Duraywish said. “That fibrillator, which can be carried in the case pulses from her arm and translate those means this Anybot can attend a meeting of your phone, is a project requested by gestures into a digital signal,” said Waad on your behalf, it can give a presentation Project Management to provide life-saving Asiri, a computer information systems and allow you to answer questions from tools for employees in remote areas. student at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal the people at the meeting.” Ghaida Al Janbi, an industrial design University. “We are testing this technology Hawra Al Dawood, a senior at Imam student at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal at the request of the Ras Tanura Refinery. Abdulrahman bin Faisal University in University, stands in front of a computer They wanted a smart wearable solution for Dammam, pulls the case off her mobile with an armband of sensors on her right operators in the field.” phone and reveals a transmitter the size of forearm. She lifts her arm, and the com- converting thoughts into signals Ghaida Al Janbi Al Duraywish stares intently at a laptop (right), is wearing an MYO gesture- screen, and wearing a small headpiece the circuit boards from old car keys or pe- control armband, around the top of his head, sends signals dometers. Shouq Al Harbi, an industrial which senses with his brain to “push” a small graphic design student at Imam Abdulrahman bin the gesture that of a collection of cubes away from him Faisal University, gives a peek at a pair of she makes and until they become smaller on the screen. “cyborgs” — mannequins that have been reproduces them on a computer Then, with his mind, he “pulls” them back wired up with elements from e-waste do- screen. By using again. nated by Aramcons. the armband, By “pushing” and “pulling” the graphic, Meanwhile, Nouf Al Qarawi, a manage- Al Janbi is able to Al Duraywish is converting thoughts into ment of information systems student, and open tabs on her digital signals on the computer, said Nabil Shoroug Alotaibi, a business administra- computer and to carryout commands Al Bukhari, a mentor in the Computer Ap- tion student — both at Imam Abdulrah- to mechanical plications Department. He explains how an man bin Faisal University — are running equipment. Waed Arduino circuit board takes those digital the social media team, getting the word Al Asiri, another IES signals and transmits them to a mechan- out about the IES’s latest innovations, and member, watches ical switch on a valve that releases water the campaign to reduce, reuse, and recycle behind her. from one tank and drains it into another. e-waste. August 21, 2019 the arabian sun 4 company news emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and career management focus of workshop in Jazan

Career counselor Jazan — Team members from Saudi Ar- tiatives,” said Jazan HR professional Ellis J. Jose I. Aguilar amco’s Leadership Development Depart- Gainey. instructs ment and the Career Development Division Colin M. Sloman, director of the Man- employees with has embarked on a journey to deliver a agement and Professional Development the Jazan Refinery world-class workshop event by presenting Department, along with division head Rafa Complex during a recent workshop training courses on emotional intelligence, M. Shalabi presented the latest HR strategy designed to critical thinking, and career management. initiatives to the Jazan management team present training Recently, the Jazan Planning and Human that outlines the current and future vision courses on Resources (HR) Division partnered with and unimpeded direction for HR. emotional Leadership Development Department train- This new initiative was well-received by intelligence, critical thinking, er Melyse R. Peru and career counselors the Jazan management team as reflected and career Jose I. Aguilar and Syed Y. Sultan to con- by Jazan Engineering manager Hisham A. management. duct the workshop. Shah. “Strategy management and communi- ‘advancing our learning culture’ cation skills are the backbone of any vital “This workshop was designed to strength- organization and are critically needed tools en our employees’ skill set, and also focus for proficient and safe operations as the on areas where we can advance our learn- Jazan Complex prepares for its commission- ing culture and employee engagement ini- ing and startup activities,” said Shah. accreditation shows ’ Refinery’s mastery at testing by Yasser H. Alharbi Members of the Yanbu’ Yanbu’ — Yanbu’ Refinery’s laboratory Refinery laboratory has managed to successfully maintain ISO/ team celebrate the IEC Standard 17025:2017 (New Version) recent successful ISO/ IEC Standard 17025:2017 accreditation by the International Accredi- accreditation by tation Service (IAS). the International The accreditation journey started with Accreditation Service. the refinery’s finished product, with 37 testing methods in 2007. The lab expand- ed its challenges in 2011 for intermediate products with 86 testing methods, and in 2015 the lab completed 131 testing meth- ods with 100% completion in all testing methods for all refinery, NGL, and crude product analyses. Reassessment was conducted this past January for ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2017 (New Version) by IAS assessors from the United States with the objective of en- suring the system implementation and Such an accreditation wouldn’t take port for all process facilities of the refinery, and appreciation, Yanbu’ Refinery man- readiness. All of the assessors’ recom- place without the continuous support and and to also support external facilities, in- agement recognized the laboratory team mendations were taken into consideration direction from management. cluding Yanbu’ NGL, the Yanbu’ Crude Oil for the excellent achievement. The team and marked as closed. The validity of the The Yanbu’ Refinery’ laboratory is classi- Terminal, the Yanbu’ Bulk Plant, OSPAS, was recognized with a token of appreci- ISO17025 has been extended to be valid fied as a Regional Certified Laboratory Fa- and the Saudi Strategic Storage Program. ation for its great effort, and contribution until January 2021. cility, which provides analytical testing sup- As a part of the employees’ recognition toward Operational Excellence. Jiddah ITC drives home traffic safety message with the students to ensure they benefited Summer students at the Jiddah Industrial Training from the safety campaign. Center pose following “It’s very important we get the young a recent traffic safety generation to participate in these events program that featured and teach them about safety,” said Al Bai- educational and hands- jan. “We need to strike while the iron is hot on experiences to better prepare them to drive on by cultivating the youth from a young age.” the Kingdom’s highways. Summer student Muath Al Juhani was very thrilled to be given the opportunity to test his driving skills in the car simulator. “I was very happy to get a high score,” said Al Juhani. “We as students really should ap- preciate Saudi Aramco investing their time and resources to have such wonderful cam- paigns.” driving the future generations “The students really benefited from this Jiddah — A mobile safety truck was on had an opportunity to try a car driving simu- not just in the classrooms.” program and many showed their appreci- display at the Jiddah Industrial Training Cen- lator. There were also some interactive quiz- The students and staff greatly enjoyed the ation for how Saudi Aramco spends time, ter (JITC) as part of a recent traffic safety zes. experience and benefited from the fun and effort, and resources to educate people on program that took place for summer stu- interesting way that the information was safety for all ages,” said Mahmood Al Zou- dents in the Central Region/Western Re- safety not just confined presented. Students took this opportunity bi, coordinator of the summer program. gion. to classrooms to test their practical skills by taking turns Members of the Traffic Safety Signature The goal of the three-day safety cam- “Having the truck visit JITC is great for the in the car simulators, followed by interactive Program team were on hand to guide the paign was to educate and provide the stu- summer students,” said JITC principal Peter multiple choice questions on screens. students and answer their questions, which dents with a hands-on experience. Jones. “This is an excellent initiative. Safety Senior instructor AbdulKhaleq Al Baijan helped to create a memorable experience The students visited the truck and also needs to be implemented in practice and was on hand to share his safety expert skills for attendees. the arabian sun August 21, 2019 company news 5 Unconventionals success driven by broader innovation strategy by Susan Gonzalez Aramco researchers from the Houston and Denver — The next chapter in uncon- Boston research centers collaborate with ventionals will be written by companies proponents in Dhahran to advance further who compress innovation cycle time, re- unconventionals exploration and production. main laser focused on financial metrics, (Left to right) Shannon Eichmann, Mohammed Boudjatit, Mustafa Basri, Stacey Althau, and and adopt a broader innovation mindset Abishek Kashinath. to gain a competitive edge. That was the overriding message from the opening session of this year’s Uncon- ventional Resources Technology Confer- ence (URTeC) in Denver, Colorado. Aramco’s technical presence has strengthened since its participation in the 2013 inaugural conference. At that time, unconventionals were a North American phenomenon. Aram- co added the international component, signaling its pursuit of unconventionals, namely shale gas, in support of the King- dom’s Unconventional Gas Initiative. This year’s conference left no doubt that at the forefront for most operators was delivering on financial returns. conventionals’ pioneers, the rise of inter- highly automated rigs soon to be deliv- largest leading oil and gas professional Participants in the plenary “State-of- national shale development in countries ered for dedicated shale gas drilling, ac- societies — the Society of Petroleum En- Play in Unconventional Reservoirs: The such as Russia, China, Argentina, and cording to Fahad A. Bani, manager of gineers (SPE), the American Association Quest for Value” touched on increasing Saudi Arabia has drawn notice. Unconventional Gas Drilling with the Un- of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), and the production rates, lowering costs, and fo- “Some may say we came in a bit late conventional Resources Drilling Depart- Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) cusing on capital efficiency to strengthen but we managed to expedite our learning ment. — the conference remained true to its the balance sheet. Unconventional wells curve,” said Ahmed H. Mubarak, chief strong technical program with nearly 400 are known for their steep decline rates, so explorationist with the Southern Uncon- technical support and insight papers and over 6,000 attendees. maximizing production rates over the life ventional Resources, Exploration, and Ap- Aramco Services Company Upstream Panel discussions addressed emerging of the well is critical. praisal Division at Saudi Aramco. and Aramco Research Center-Houston technology, artificial intelligence, sustain- “With a comprehensive suite of logging staff provide technical support and in- able development induced seismicity, and geomechanics theme tools we ensure optimum well placement sight into U.S. operations for the Saudi well integrity. The geomechanics theme was again the in the target zone and enhanced hydrau- Aramco Unconventional Resources pro- URTeC has expanded with regional con- largest with 10 technical sessions — three lic fracturing techniques are putting us gram. Researchers in Houston and Bos- ferences in North America and now goes chaired by Aramco upstream personnel. among the highest percentile of the best ton are collaborating with Dhahran-based international with an Asia Pacific URTeC Our researchers, geoscientists, and reser- performing wells in North America.” proponents to develop new and novel un- scheduled for November of this year in voir engineers presented on a wide range Mubarak added that a multidisciplinary conventionals technology and practices. Brisbane, Australia, in recognition of new of nearly a dozen papers in sessions cov- “one-team” approach from the outset URTeC attracts a broad range of special- players and emerging unconventionals ering advanced formation evaluation, has allowed the unconventionals program ists — geologists, geophysicists, and res- basins around the world. proppant placement, novel completion to advance rapidly. ervoir engineers — to address the unique Aramco was a diamond sponsor with technologies, and geophysics. Field efficiency factors, automation, challenges associated with unconvention- ASC Upstream staff coordinating and While small- to medium-size operators and field services management are con- al, or shale, oil and gas production. hosting, along with support from Public in North America are credited as the un- tinuously monitored with nearly a dozen With a joint effort by the world’s three Affairs and Staffing and Recruitment. ‘Enabling Excellence in Safety’ Loss Prevention event highlights results in innovation Dhahran — Saudi Aramco’s Loss Preven- innovation, and I am pleased to see LPD tion Department (LPD) recently hosted an embracing this,” he said. “Wherever pos- inaugural employee engagement meet- sible, we need to look at the ways in which ing at the Technical Exchange Center in we are doing things, and identify wheth- Dhahran. er there is an opportunity to improve the In line with the department’s objective manner in which we do them, to make of promoting visible safety leadership, the them safer and more efficient,” Al Zahrani event proved to be an ideal opportunity for said. networking and knowledge sharing along- Looking toward the future, PDP partici- side senior management, including Aali M. pants Arwa S. Alnasser and Mohammed Al Al Zahrani, executive director of Safety and Faris updated management on the recent Industrial Security, and Ghassan G. Abul- launch of the department’s “Young Force” faraj, acting manager of LPD. initiative, which looks to harness young tal- Abulfaraj congratulated attendees on ent to address departmental challenges in their ongoing efforts, adding, “I urge all of the areas of optimization, cost saving, and you to keep looking for new and innova- marketing. Syed R. Ali asks a question during a session at the recent Employee Engagement meeting sponsored by tive ways to make our company safer,” he the Loss Prevention Department (LPD). The first time event featured a wide array of sessions designed The meeting concluded with an open said. to highlight innovation and collaboration among LPD employees and throughout the company. (Photo: dialog and recognition session, which saw Mohammed Alshaikh/MPD) LPD employees engaging directly with Loss Prevention’s new vision: management to discuss their successes, ‘Enabling Excellence in Safety’ Najla A. Binmahfoodh, an LPD engineer construction or field site.” challenges, and potential future opportu- The event’s agenda included a wide ar- and Professional Development Program Other department achievements high- nities. Al Zahrani and Abulfaraj fielded a ray of topics, ranging from an overview of (PDP) participant, presented on “The Jour- lighted included the companywide rollout range of questions and topics ranging from the department and its objectives, to the ney of a Female Engineer,” outlining a of the Lifesaving Rules, a new customized technology’s role in the future of safety to efforts being undertaken to enhance its re- unique career path that has taken her from Existing Building Risk Indicator assessment the importance of young talent in driving porting processes. remote construction sites in Texas to three tool, and enhancements on how the com- the company forward. Special focus was given to the recent projects currently underway in Jiddah. pany records and reports safety incidents. “This meeting has been fantastic and launch of LPD’s new vision, “Enabling Ex- “Saudi Aramco has afforded me oppor- will be the first of many,” Abulfaraj said in cellence in Safety,” along with its updated tunities that I could only have dreamed building on safety through concluding the event. “At Saudi Aramco, mission to “Integrate Safety in Business, of,” said Binmahfoodh. “To be involved in innovation and self-inspection we are always looking for opportunities and Drive Safety Performance,” which fo- world-class projects has changed my per- Al Zahrani expressed his appreciation for to engage with our greatest asset — our cuses on partnering with organizations to spective on women and engineering, as the department’s innovative efforts to im- people — and it is meetings like these that provide effective safety solutions company- well as all of the safety-related issues that prove safety efficiently. bring true engagement and great ideas to wide. need to be considered when working on a “Saudi Aramco is a company built on the table.” August 21, 2019 the arabian sun 6 company news ,+ celebrate ‘Id al-Adha at Ithra

Dubai Orchestra hosted by Ithra for the first time in the Kingdom

Dhahran — In an evening that show- addition to other songs that have been im- cased the magnificence of music, the King printed into the history of Gulf music and Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) are still cherished to this day. The orchestra introduced the Dubai Arabic Orchestra — has paid homage to these songs since its an affiliate of the Dubai Opera — to the founding in 2017 to keep Arab music her- Kingdom last week as part of ‘Id al-Adha itage alive. celebrations. “It became vital that we affirm our Gulf In a beautiful evening titled “Tarab from and Arabian identity by singing and produc- the Beautiful Era,” Arabic melodies hung in ing Arabic music,” said Al Faraj, founder of the air alongside the ‘Id al-Adha festivities the orchestra. “It is the ingenuity and cre- as the band mesmerized visitors with the ativity that Arab lyricists, composers, sing- wonders of Gulf classics. ers, and musicians have left with us since The musical event was part of the contin- the beginning of the last century.” uous efforts Ithra makes to showcase Saudi Al Faraj noted the importance of the or- and Middle East culture, arts and knowl- chestra’s contributions and its focus on the edge, while building broader bridges to the region’s heritage and art. The orchestra world. consists of 28 musicians, playing instru- The evening was a triumph, receiving a ments such as the oud, qanun, ney, violin, huge audience of different age groups. and cello. The performance also included three paying homage to Arab music singers and a choir, while maestro Ahmed The orchestra played selected music by Taha led the performance. great artists from the Gulf music heritage Ithra does not only showcase regional such as Mohammed Abdo, Talal Al Madd- arts, but is also considered a cultural hub as ah, Eid El Faraj, and Abdulrab Idriss — in it presents world arts as well. the arabian sun August 21, 2019 company news 7 ,+ celebrate ‘Id al-Adha at Ithra

Dhahran — More than 30,000 people from the present to the past in four artistic For those with a fine taste in timeless attended the King Abdulaziz World Center exhibitions. This started with the Saudi con- Gulf music, the Dubai Arabic Orchestra per- (Ithra) to take in the recent ‘Id al-Adha cel- temporary art (Funoon), moving on to the formed for the first time in the Kingdom, ebrations. Identity and Saudi legacy (Ajial), passing by featuring several eternal tracks in the Arabic Ithra celebrated ‘Id al-Adha through var- the treasures of the Islamic culture and art music. (See accompanying story for more ious artistic and cultural that were highly (Kunooz), and ending with the natural his- information.) appreciated by the visitors. tory of the Arabian Peninsula (Rihlat). Children had their fair share of enjoyable The ‘Id programs catered to all age The Cinema Hall welcomed audiences of programs and activities to choose from, in- groups. the big screen via three stations. The first cluding practical experiments and scientific One of the more popular attractions was station featured the film “Harg,” which tells shows that were presented at the Energy a special scientific trip with inventor and the story of a young man meeting himself Exhibition. A “Paper Dimensions” program engineer Aljazri, which took visitors on a in different stages of life using a time mirror, allowed the children to uncover their archi- tour to the 12th century A.D., to discover which is the core of the film. The second tectural talents by designing and creating his inventions and innovations, which con- movie was a documentary film telling the the Ithra building using paper. Other pro- tributed greatly in the facilitation of life in a story of French fashion designer Christian grams on offer included “Qumra,” “Wagon significant era of the Islamic State. Dior. The last of these stations was for the of Scientists,” and “Theater of the Greats,” Another major attraction was a presen- children, a comedy movie called “The Egg.” along with many other inspiring activities. tation about Maryam Al-Astrulabi, who in- At the Grand Chamber, visitors could wit- Ithra strives to enrich Saudi society by vented the Astrolabe. Ithra highlighted her ness the artistic works of Norwegian artist presenting these many initiatives and qual- contributions by presenting a short exhibi- Edvard Munch for the first time in the Mid- ity programs that are suitable to all, based tion about this innovative female scientist. dle East through the exhibition “Landscapes on creating special content of knowledge of the Soul.” An interactive component of and offering comprehensive experiments to exploratory journey this display allowed attendees the opportu- visitors through shows and programs. Ithra Visitors were also given an opportunity to nity to select a piece of their choice to draw is considered a platform for creativity that observe an exploratory journey inside the and keep as a souvenir, in an individual ex- gathers talents from different age groups to museum, which moved in time gradually periment enriched with beauty. learn, experiment, and share ideas. August 21, 2019 the arabian sun 8 community news

Fun for all as Saudi Aramco communities celebrate ‘Id al-Adha Residents in Saudi Aramco communities, including Dhahran, Ras Tanura, , and ‘ were out in droves to take in ‘Id al-Adha celebrations last week. In Dhahran on the first day of ‘Id, the Central Community Services Department invited employees and their eligible depen- dents to enjoy the hospitality that was of- fered following the ‘Id prayer, where Arabic coffee, dates, and various ‘Id sweets were served. On the final three days of ‘Id, many activ- ities were organized in the outdoor court- yard and in the indoor facilities at King’s Road Park, where the celebration was more characterized by adding a folk seating area “Al Majles,” which reminded guests of the heritage of their ancestors. Visitors also enjoyed different traditional performances, such as folk singing, which added much joy to the festival for the more than 18,000 visitors who attended over the three days. Acrobatic and theatrical performances, as well as live music performances, were also part of this year’s event, which also includ- ed live sand drawing works in front of the audience. Additionally, artisans and crafts- men were on hand, and food particular to the region, such as taoist bread and Arabic bread, was available. Children’s activities included a competi- tion that developed their skills and talents, face painting, henna art, water games and air games, in addition to electronic games in Ad-Diwan hall. A number of cafés, food trucks, restau- rants, and catering services were also pro- ter games for children and adults were on stall for a caricaturist, and another one for games, and experiences such as virtual re- vided. offer. sticker tattoos, while a musical band treat- ality. The event was organized by the Dhahran A fire show took place in the evening and ed attendees to lovely melodies. A number of inflatables were provided Recreation Services Division, with support everyone was impressed by the risky moves Everyone attending agreed the two-day for the children to enjoy. Other attractions from Safety and Industrial Security. executed by the participants. festival was a special one for the commu- included a Velcro soccer target, a Velcro A variety of activities for children aged 3 nity. wall on which participants tried to stick ‘The Waves’ in Ras Tanura and above ran in the White Sands Lounge, themselves to, a mechanical bull, an ob- More than 4,000 people attended ‘Id including booths for designing pizza, dec- full slate of activities in Abqaiq stacle course with slides, a giant ball that al-Adha festivities in Ran Tanura (RT), which orating cupcakes, painting, and coloring The Abqaiq Recreational Services Unit two people could enter and run around a carried a theme of “The Waves.” with sand. (ARSU) hosted its exciting ‘Id al-Adha cele- designated area, and an inflatable wipeout For the first time in RT, the main activities In the Najmah Library, the children’s ac- bration at Al Sa’adah soccer field and Golf machine in which participants had to avoid of the program were all conducted by the tivities matched with the event’s theme, Club lounge, with more than 750 people being knocked off. beach, with beach chairs, canopies, colorful including one that allowed the youngsters attending. Two popular food trucks were available flags, and water inflatables all in place. to design and decorate a beach bag and ARSU produced an evening packed full of to the visitors, and savory food provided a A unique sand sculpture that featured another that had the kids decorating a sea- entertainment and fun family activities such true taste of Arabic hospitality. sea creatures was created on the beach by shell with colored sand. as a meet-and-greet with cartoon charac- Participants praised ARSU staff for a a talented local artist, and a number of wa- Booths set up in the patio area included a ters, a kids’ corner, face painting, fun bikes, well-organized celebration. the arabian sun August 21, 2019 community 9 Saudi Aramco Expatriate Schools 2018-2019 third trimester honor roll Abqaiq School Jackson, Mishael Juma, Sean Kelly, Arhum R. Lubis, Maeesha Mahreen, Ashish Mal- Alli, Saad Almas, Afnan M. Bantwal, Badir N. Khan, Maryam Khan, Humza Khawaja, Noah lur, Anvitha Mandhadi, Luca M. Suzuki, Budair, Abigail R. D’Souza, Yacoub Derradji, Honors with Distinction (GPA: 4.0) Larson, Alvin Y. Mah, Sariyya A. Mammadza- Malak Matmti, Gabriella Migliore, Ava Mi- Emmanuel N. Ginoski, Seth Moore, Abdullah Seventh Grade: Saadi Abbasi, Irem Akay, da, Mahad Maqbool, Mahreen Naila, Gabriel lostic, Ananya Mishra, Alejandro Mujica, Mustafa, Rodge N. Feniz San Luis, and Naiya Sanubar Aliyeva, Wesam Basli, Miranda Panza, Ibrahim Parvez, Laura A. Pirvu, Eesha Ayesha Munir, Riwa Mustafa, Ryan Najjar, Shah Chirino, Aliza Khan, Lara Malis, Kaosidinma Rizwan, Noor Rob, Teresa Salazar, Zayna Nilanjan Nayak, Eden Neal, Aya N. Mehidi, Eighth Grade: Emily Alvarado, Bridger Arp- G. Onyekere, Diego M. Rodriguez, Yousef Sayyed, Liam M. Stonestreet, Joan N. Suryan- Polina M. Oparina, Eyad H. Osman, Catali- ke, Torin H. Byul Braun, Trevor Drummond, Shahin, Lora Singletary, Mohammad Talha, tara, Adam Taleb, Juan M. Vega-Uriostegui, na Parra, Caleb Pelland, Madalena Pereira, Yuvraj Kashyap, Nina Moussallem, Maria T. and Jana White Zoya Waheed, and Ainslee Walker Rida Pothiawala, Haamed Rahman, Isabella Pavel, and Abirami SivaKumar Eighth Grade: France Xygel Catalan, Ve- Ninth Grade: Zuhair Abidi, Sirin Blan, Ale- Ramirez, Usma F. Rashid, Noah S. Roberts, Ninth Grade: Aquila Acielo, Dianne Culala, ronica Hanna, Hisham Kaleem, and Kyra N. jandra Cr. Cova, Rem Q. Villanueva David, Rachel Ruesch, Alberta Scotchburn, Raafi A. Rayan Hashmi, Diya Patel, and Eve Tomam- Minda Austin Hallberg, Ayra Irfan, Muhammad R. Sedyaporna, Neha S. Kumar, Javeria Shab- bo. Ninth Grade: Dany O. Almond, Sarah Khou- Irvana, Anna M. Kinney, Stella R. Kinney, bir, Hishita R. Shah, Eman Shahid, Omaima High Honors ri, Kamsiyochi Onyekere, Yashma Sonara, Zahra Kuliev, Anum Mohammed, Amatullah Shahzad, Muad Shaikh, Sheheryar Shaikh, Seventh Grade: Thea Abi-Habib, Brooke and Ava E. Whitaker. Mustafa, Kamsisochukwu Onwuama, Diego Ridwan Shakoor, Karissa Shine, Hafsa Siddiq, Bachman, Garin M. Boggan, Averielle Cor- High Honors Sierraalta, Sophia C. Aridi Taylor, and Conall Brock Steenblik, Noah Stenov, Mataab Suli- doves, Dean Dammad, Joshua F. Gabriele, Seventh Grade: Miqdad Chowdhury, D. Whittaker. man, Isabella L. Aridi Taylor, Jennise M. Tor- Petros Hilawe, Noah E. King, Francisco Mar- Emaad Khan, Ibrahim A. Kothawala, Camilo High Honors res-Phan, Mohsin Tunio, Isabella Van Stone, tins, Hibah Maryam, Vin M. , Nile A. E. Rios, Miquel L. Martinez, Calvin B. Mana- Seventh Grade: Rehma Abbasi, Gana Caton Z. Wang, Teagan Weaver, Jacob Wei, Montes, Miriam Morales Garcia, Rirhhand- lu, Hassan Saleh, and Aleem Sanal Abualhuda, Diego E. Adkins, Nuur Ahmad, and Jinhoo Yoon zu Ngobeni, Catherine Pena, Mohid Rana, Eighth Grade: Fatimah Abbas, Baha E. Abu Ayla Aijaz, Aabia A. Syed, Ayan I. Ali, Noor Ninth Grade: Asmaa Abdelgawad, Ryaan Anna Isabella Rebl, David Rollins, Natalia Agil, Omar Amin, Al D. Dimacaling, Oluti- Aljundi, Mason Alles, Yahya A. Kassim, Ahmed, Yudala Akpama, Rand A. Al-Meqda- Itzel Samano, Karthik Santhosh, and Vishal milehin Funto-Aboloye, Alyce-Ann Maples, Ahmed A. Ibrahim, Malak Amer, Leonidas di, Zainab Ali, Hamza W. Awan, Paul Blair, Iz- Suresh MariaLaura M. Velasquez, Mohammad O. Anfimiadis, Abrar Ansari, Jephthah Arukhe, abelle Burton, Dominic Carswell, Charlize C. Eighth Grade: Adil Samih Alsyed, Radu Minhas, Abdur Rehman Mohsin, Brandon Mohammad R. Ashraf, Talha Asif, Muham- Chammat, Allison Eacker, Jihan S. Ghaisani, Banica, Kentaro Barnes, Airene Bautista, Peasley, Shem Petilo, Ward A. Shahin, Fais- mad A. Atmaja, Joseph A. Auchterlonie, Razan Hussein, Lynn Idriss, Basar G. Inan, Kushagra Bharti, Mortada Bouhadja, Willard al S. Shehzad, Madhur Sreekanth, Milan Mariya A. El Kreem, Ghoufran Baba, Zayd Uzair Ishaq, Tariq Ismail, M. Matthew James, Conzemius, Connor Cotton, Judy Dammad, Sreekanth, Christyl Tango-an, and Chukwue- Badsha, Vivianne Bai, Gabriela Benchluch, Soraya F. Jeffery, Danny Kanj, Mark LaFre- Line Soundous Guerouache, Abigail Haugh- meka S. Ugori Mohamed J. Bkathria, Yousra Bourane, Farah niere, Sicily Rios, Rohan K. Roy, Ryan Rucki, ton, Adrian S. Hoydalsvik, Leyla Jarrahova, Ninth Grade: Jennylyn Managa, Khadeja Breacher, Mishal T. Chaudhry, Noelle Cobia, Mina Ruiz, Misa Sekitani, Mohja Sherik, Tait Addison R. King, Nokutenda N. Kuzhangaira, Mohsin, Kathlee Y. Navarro, and Ali Rahal. Elijah R. Coon, Shawn Cordeiro, Tanner Czu- D. Stevens, Aya Tourqui, Jillanne Youssef, Charlize Maggs, Alejandro Orozco, Gabrielle Honors ba, Sarata Diallo, Emiko M. Dibb, Felix Dor- and Ahmed Zakzouk. Pinacate, Russel Romero, Malak Safi, Chelsea Eighth Grade: Vladimir Malis, Deepika Ram- ward, Riley S. DuPont, Zaid M. Ali Dweib, So- Honors D. Saul, Tirth Thakkar, Ela Tomambo, and Ve- sunkar, and Seymour J. Thomas haila Elanany, Fatemah Elfayoumy, Mohamed Seventh Grade: Ryker Aebi, Sarah A. Ah- dant Yadav Ninth Grade: Al Amin Dimacaling and Leon- Elrayes, Michelle A. Garner, Mariam N. Go- mad, Hanan Al Ali, Frantsisko Alberch, Ninth Grade: Kashif Choudhary, Geno ardo J. Marfisi. maa, McKenna A. Green, Pablo Guzman, Walid N. Awad, Muhammad Ali Damergi, Guerrero, and Zain Muhammad. Kyce Hakki, Mathew E. Hales, Jacquelyn Hall, Zaid Dawd, Camilo Daza, Eduardo Del Car- Honors Isaac H. Guerrero, Anna Hursan, Sara Husain, men-Ju, Zyad Djouad, Amal W. El Hajj, Lena Seventh Grade: Heidee G. Borbe, Ahmed Dhahran School Yasakha G. Husni, Maria I. Ion, Nawshin Is- M. Elzayat, Gethin P. Evans, Maya Fadlallah, O. Dafaalla, Omar H. Elsisi, Angel C. Fennell, Honors with Distinction (GPA: 4.0) lam, Anders Johnson, Jonathan Kaiser, Wan- Omar Hajhussein, Malik Hassoun, Aizah Ricky O. Frail, Mahmoud S. Jawhar, Ariana A. Seventh Grade: Salma Aacha, Toleen Ab- ia Kamran, Hussein M. Kassab, Mohammed Hussain, Ishaq A. Hussain, Michael Jahnke, Lacruz, Jad M. Lyzzaik, Finnian M. McGough, delrahim, Layan M. Abu Ajamieh, Hassan U. Khan, Soha A. Khan, Maleeha Khan-Niazi, Muhammad A. Hidayat Junmaisal, Talhah Talha Mehmood, Sabrina Naveed, Ozair Ahmed, Hibba Ahmed, Saffi Alberts, Muham- Noor Kharbat, Eesa Khattak, Michael Larkin, Khankhara, Muhammed Khatri, Michael Qureshi, Andrew Red, Zakariya Sakhri, Alina mad A. Alfarisi, Sami Almasri, Khadijah Amer- Gavin Long, Dalia Mahmoud, Hanzalah Ma- Kieyah, Ahmad S. Mushtaq, Celine Nass- Shah, Omar M. Soliman, Nader M. Suleiman, ali, Carter Ammons, Joey Atie, Michael Atie, jid, Stephenie McCain, James S. Menning, er-ElDine, Anasteisha N. Mansor, Paul Pole- and Faiz Y. Supriyono Eshan Bokhari, Dhia Eddine Boudjatit, Avery Nor Ellysha M. Raji, Saira Naeem, Joseph N. ga, Anabella A. Ramirez, Salma Ramzy, Mo- Eighth Grade: Masroor Ahmed, Sameeha Bourne, Mariana B. Alarcon, Tomas A. Celis, Naser, Ablaye Ndour, Kenechukwu H. Obi, hammed Z. Samsam, Nathan Sevilla, Fatima Alikhan, Ryan Arbid, Keith B. Fronteras, Sar- Faith Chang, Borui Chen, Rachel Chung, Am- Aya Osman, Osasenaga Oziegbe-Ighodalo, Shaari, Faris Shehata, Aaditya Singh, Megan ah Hughes, Nathanael Kennedy-Bissah, and inata Cisse, Raisa C. Villanueva David, Hassan Zaid Rajah, Zaid Raza, Umakorn Reese, Rami Spriggs, Maysa Takriti, Haley Tamez, Angeli- Mahd M. Qureshi A. El Deeb, Asmaa S. Elshabshiri, Maryam R. Rihani, Ashwin Sanjay, Farwah Sarfraz, na Turner, and Violet Van Heel Ninth Grade: Soumeya Feradi, Owen W. Farooqi, Sarah Foster, Michela Giansanti, Na- Sakina Sarfraz, Atif Shakoor, Meryam Siddiqi, Eighth Grade: Nadeen Abd Elrahman, Ab- Frail, Arnulfo D. Matibag Jr., and Dawood thaniel A. Gotera, Jakub Gruszczyk, Krzysztof Maryam K. Siddiqui, Lea Smiley, Hafsa Sohail, delrahman Abualhuda, Mary Ahwash, Uma- Shah. Gruszczyk, Samuel Gutierrez, Aroosha Han- Aayan Syed, Daniyal Tariq, Ruby L. Tennis, ir A. Ali, Mohammad Ammad, Jason O.J. if, Gabe Harrington, Rayaan Hassan, Zekun Reet Tharwani, Jae Tolentino, Seth G. Tolen- Arukhe, Hamsini Badhrinathan, Ahmed B. He, Aidan J. Hosler, Regan Jackson, Julia R. tino, Neha Verma, Mohammad Wehbi, Sean Gowi, Gizelle A. Bernal, James Blair, Brendan ’Udhailiyah School James, Ryan Kanj, Chaitravi D. Karande, Wilson, Maya Workman, Fatima S. Zaidi, and Born, Samah Cadieux, Angeline Chakraborty, Honors with Distinction (GPA: 4.0) Amogh Katare, Fahad S. Khan, Hassaan M. Abdalrahman S. Zidan William Clarke, Maxwell Clayton, Marko Seventh Grade: Anindita Chetia, Melvin Jo- Khan, Ayat Kharbat, Sarah E. Kharbat, Tawfiq Eighth Grade: Tuqa Abdelfatah, Yusuf Abu- Cosic, Blake Curtis, Hadi Damergi, Sana seph, Muhammad A. Noor, and Jada-Claire F. Kharbat, Willa J. Koziol, Naomi Law, Jin Ch- laban, Tara Abuyazid, Daniel Y. Adusei-Poku, Daud, Jaden Deutscher, Lexi Downey, Joud Ogolo uan Liao, Mudita Mathur, Khodr Minkara, Al- Sarah Ahmed, Muhammad G. Akbar, Rahim El Sadek, Oluwadamilare Fakolujo, Taylor Fly- Eighth Grade: Yusuf Ali, Anyatama Biswas, iza Mirza, Syed M. Mustafa, Muhammad A. Akhtar, Kokolo-Ko-Obase Akpama, Anam nn, Leen Ghorashi, Anas Habib, Suzan Hal- Alizah Haider, Husna Hamzah, Fasya Idris, Nasir, Zayd I. Nasir, Akubah Ndubah, Summer Al Syed, Adalat Alizada, Deena Bader, Jus- laq, Muhammad R. Iskandar, Aymaan Islam, Xiyu Liu, Ariel Moreira, Ahmed Omran, Ta- W. Nema, Amanda Y. Neuman, Hamida G. tin Baggett, Eman Baig, Alejandro Balseiro, Hannah Jamal, Ivan Jansen, Jose S. Juarez, nushree P. Patil, and Maximus Simbolon Oloriegbe, Mattox O. Oluwa, Chinweoke On- Dalanda A. Barry, Sebastian Benchluch, Ella Sarah Junaid, Zohair Khan, Areej Khawaja, Ninth Grade: Soban Adnan, Fathar Idris, wuama, Thomas Parlatore, William J. Peach, M. Brekke, Jasmine F. Labitag Bunyi, Don- Valentina L. Terceros, Farida Lala, Eric M. Su- Muhammad L. Mushoffa, Maximiliano Pari- Axel Pena, Annika Port, Susannah C. Putnam, ovan Cathey, Aishwarya Chandrasekaran, zuki, Anika Melver, Elzair M. Hanafiah, Dylan sio, Aysha Saar, and Mohamed S. Ghanem. Michelle S. Qureshi, Hana T. Radi, Angel J. Elizabeth Chang, Lauren N. Chao, Alena Molina, Jayden Muthaiah, Adam Olckers, Ai- High Honors Radisic, Lincoln Ralls, Syed Z. Raza, Basel H. Cobia, Mariah Cobia, Drew Collins, Sofia sha G. Oloriegbe, Samantha Persram, Nezar Seventh Grade: Salma Bilqish, Duaa Chish- Rizk, Yara Saab, Eli W. Setzer, Iman Shahub, Colvin, Juan P. Correa Pulido, Hussein A. Shana’a, Nada Shoala, Riyan T. Tiwana, and ti, Martin Hincapie, Antonina Jaromin, and Anika Shahzad, Brady Swendsen, Ruwayda Dakka, Chiara Di Rossi, Sarah Eid, Hamdan Jade Woycheese Maaz Saad Syed, Zain Syed, Omar Toumeh, Leena Us- Ejaz, Shahd O. Abdelhay Eldanasory, Zoe Ninth Grade: Hani Al Khateeb, Sama Alili, Eighth Grade: Muhammad S. Adnan, Marc man, Rosanna Vega, Stormey Walker, Char- Ellis, Mamoun Elmamoun, Judy L. Fayed, Jawad Ansari, John A. Auchterlonie, Omar De Ramos, Mohamed El Zefzafy, Mauricio E. lotte Whiteley, Syaharani S. Yazki, Sereen M. Makenna Frost, Ahmad Ghazal, Katharine Dakwar, Cason L. Green, Spencer Magaway, Rondon, Kiara Jensen, Fashlia Salwa, Ixshel S. Younis, and Aysha Zahid Gilbertson, Martina G. Nielsen, Lily Hall, Aman Memon, Mohamed A. Mostefai, Re- Jimenez, and Tiara Wijanarko Eighth Grade: Sehr Abbasi, Yara Abed, So- Jayda Hallberg, Nooran Hamad, Mujtaba ina Nabulsi, Ryan Neumann, Maria Porcar, Ninth Grade: Chiamaka E. Chukwunyere phia M. Acero, Yahya Ahmedjeelani, Lama O. Hamid, Laila Ibrahim, Faridah U. Idris, Shawn S. Roti, Leen Shadid, Muazam A. and Eshal Khurram. Alomari, Bilal Aridi, Hareem Asif, Udochi A. Ibrahim Ilyas, Nadine Ismail, Malek Jandali, Syed, and Zachary Willden. Honors Atisele, Carson S. Belaire, Bethany Boyett, Maahi V. Joshi, Shruthi Juttu, Muhammad Seventh Grade: Camila Alfonzo and Christl- Marc Chammas, Ariel F. Chiam, Leslie Co- F. Kalmani, Kareem Kalo, Niyati Karri, Fa- lyan F. Tabas bia, Zaid Dawoud, Esomchi J. Ejim, Cadija El rouk S. Khadra, Sayyid Khalil, Subhan Khan, Ras Tanura School Eighth Grade: Olivia Jappy, Abdul A. Malik, Gumati, Zeina Elwi, Tongdee Espedal, Zen- Ian H. Kim, Holden Lamont, Talmage Law, Honors with Distinction (GPA: 4.0) and Jasper R. Gresback ab Farooq, Fatima Gohar, Mohid S. Hasnat, Peter-Anthony Letef, Jesse Li, Samantha J. Seventh Grade: Muhammad A. Abbasi, Ninth Grade: Sabina Castellanos and Shazia Ajani Huchard, Muhammad R. Infra, Aaron Lindsey-Hauptman, Ana C. Loza, Hanna Asseel Abdalla, Princess Adeyi, Abimbola K. Durrani. the arabian sun August 21, 2019 community news 10

Ithra movies

in cinema

Ithra Heroes Adventure

Aug. 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28 10:30 a.m. I am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story Caroll Spinney has been Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since 1969; and at 78-years of age, he has no intention of stopping.

I am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

Aug. 26, 27, 28 4:30 p.m.

Red Velvet

Aug. 23 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26, 27, 28 7 p.m. Village at the End of the World “Village at the End of the World” is a witty, surprising and feel good portrait of an isolated village of 59 people and 100 sled dogs, surviving against the odds. Hatched

Aug. 21, 22, 24 7 p.m. Aug. 23 8:30 p.m.

Village at the End of the World

Aug. 21, 22, 24 4:30 p.m. Aug. 23 2 p.m. Red Velvet After a long wait, Sameer Bu Shabrain, that calm and dreamer guy, got a career opportunity that he always dreamt of in one of the prestigious companies. Energy Exhibit Theater Unfortunately, Sameer had an accident that day because of a cold cup of coffee, which made him a focus of all eyes; that accident turns his life upside down.

Mysteries of the Unseen World

Aug. 22 5 p.m., 7 p.m.

YOU WON’T BELIEVE YOUR EYES.

Presented By

Presented By

Presented By

NARRATED BY FOREST WHITAKER

MysteriesUnseenWorld.coM

The Arabian Sun is a weekly North Admin Building, Room AN- Publishing director: Articles and coverage can be Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi publication issued free of charge 1080, C-05A, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Meteb F. Al Qahtani (A) requested through the com- Aramco) is a joint stock company, with by the Corporate Communication Telephone (013) 876-0374 Editors: Jamsheed Din, Todd Williams pany’s CRM system. certificate of registration number Support Department for Email: [email protected] Editorial staff: Musherf Alamri, Correspondence may be addressed to 2052101105, having its principal office Saudi Aramco employees. ISSN: 1319-156X Eamonn Houston, Scott Baldauf, the editor, North Admin Building, at P.O. Box 5000, Dhahran, Postal Code Articles may be reproduced provided Jeff McCoshen, and Shaistha Khan. Room AN-1080, C-05A. 31311, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and The Arabian Sun is credited. Designer: Husam Nasr. with fully paid capital of SAR 60,000,000,000. the arabian sun August 21, 2019 11 celebrating the ‘Id al-Adha Residents of Saudi Aramco communities had no shortage of activities and entertainment to choose from as ‘Id al-Adha festivities were conducted last week throughout the region. see page 8

Aramco Brats celebrate memories and friendships at the th biennial reunion

Phoenix — The word “hometown” More than 600 seemed to be on everyone’s minds at the Aramco Brats and 17th Biennial Brats Reunion … in a uniquely family members Aramco way. reunited in “For most of us here, Aramco is our Phoenix, AZ to reminisce and hometown,” said Mike Simms, who grad- celebrate. The first th uated from 9 grade in 1978, making him Brat reunion was AB78 in the language of Aramco Brats who held in 1995 in identify themselves by the community and Chandler, AZ. year they graduated and left Saudi Arabia. For the 2019 reunion, attendees Simms served as Aramco Brats Inc. (ABI) from outside the president from 2005-2009. His father was U.S. came from principal of the Abqaiq School, and later Thailand, Dubai, worked in Personnel, and then in Abqaiq. Bahrain, Malta, “We all went off to boarding schools or Brazil, the Netherlands, the high schools … we went in all different di- U.K., and Canada. rections, so the reunions have become our The class with the virtual hometown,” added Marie Dunn, largest presence DH77 and ABI president from 2009-2013. — at 40 members Dunn’s father Laney LittleJohn worked in — was 1984. Corporate Planning, evaluating capital proj- ects and oil pricing. This year, more than 600 Brats and family members arrived for the four-day get-to- gether, which included an opening day so- cial hour, a “suq”-style market of art and artifacts curated by Brats, a class outing based on graduation date, an ABI town hall meeting, and gala dinner. It was a festive hometown, with hugs and tears exchanged as old friends recon- The 1974 Ras nected. It was also a cross-generational Tanura Dolphins group. The oldest class in attendance was baseball team. AB78 alum Mike 1957 and the youngest 2012. The friend- Simms stands in the ships themselves extended to new ones back row, next to with different graduating classes. the coach.

‘close childhood friends’ “Who else but another Brat could remem- “We all have our close childhood friends, ber things like watching the sun rise over but the reunions have helped everyone de- the jebels, shopping trips to al-, sun- velop lasting friendships with Brats of all set picnics at Half Moon Bay … and feeling ages,” said Diana Ryrholm-Geerdes, RT62 that blast of heat as you stepped off the air- and ABI president from 2001-2005. plane and knowing you are finally ‘home’,” Her sister, Erica Ryrholm, DH72, was born reunion organizers shared with attendees in in Saudi Arabia. their town hall meeting handout. “Reunions have continued because it’s a Hirath Ghori, DH74 and current ABI pres- link to who we are,” said Ryrholm-Geerdes. ident, agreed. The sisters’ father, Robert W. Ryrholm, “People ask me, how was it, living in Sau- was a chemical engineer, served as presi- di Arabia? I say it was fantastic; I wouldn’t dent for European operations in the Hague, trade it for the world. Everyone wants to and retired as a vice president of Aramco. go back home (to Saudi Arabia), we all feel that tie we have there.” Ghori’s father Mohammed was a chemist and worked for Aramco for 30 years. The reunions hold special meaning for Jenn Harbert, AB75, and Wayne Harms, wrote about the experience in the spring is- Ali Baluchi, who retired as general man- her classmate. Harbert and Harms crossed sue of Al-Ayyam Al-Jamilah, Aramco’s mag- ager of Community Services in 1990 and paths briefly as children in Abqaiq from azine for retirees and family members. has led all four of the KSA reunions for re- 1968-1971 — before Harms returned state- It is a shared history with fellow Saudis tirees, sent his very best wishes to the Brats side to be raised by family in Pennsylvania as well. Harbert’s father learned Arabic on the occasion of their 17th reunion and — then they met again at the 2005 Brat while in Saudi Arabia and developed strong acknowledged the depth of their connec- Reunion in Houston. In 2007, they married friendships. tion to Saudi Arabia. just before the Brat Reunion in Asheville, “We see in our association with the Brats NC. friendships true to this day an avenue of great opportunities where “We have a shared history that is quite Ghori remembers well his time playing we can work with them to cement a real- RT62 alum and 2001-05 ABI president Diana rare,” explained Harbert, who went with his Saudi playmates in the neighbor- istic friendship between the Saudis and the Ryrholm-Geerdes holds her baby sister Erica “home” to Abqaiq during the fourth KSA hood where he grew up — friendships that Americans and create long lasting friend- (DH72), who was born in Saudi Arabia. Expatriate Reunion in March this year, and remain true to this day. ship and understanding,” said Baluchi.