October December 2019

Editor-in-Chief DCEO Administration

Correspondence concerning The Kuwaiti Digest should be addressed to: Editor-in-Chief, Kuwait Oil Company (K.S.C.) Information Team P.O. Box 9758 Ahmadi 61008, Kuwait Telephone: 965-2398-2747 Facsimile: 965-2398-1076 E-mail: [email protected] or visit the KOC homepage at www.kockw.com

The Kuwaiti Digest invites newspaper, magazine and trade journal editors to reprint or otherwise make use of articles or illustrations appearing in this issue. Material should be credited and a copy mailed to the Kuwait Oil Company.

The Kuwaiti Digest is a quarterly magazine published by the Kuwait Oil Company (K.S.C.) since 1973. 3 7 20 CONTENTS

20 | The KOC Little Pioneers Science Club

36 46 Letter from the Editor

history, as it marks the 120th anniversary of the signing of the 1899 Treaty of Friendship with the UK and KOC’s 85th anniversary. In addition to our lead story, which focuses on the areas where Kuwait and the UK are working together for the benefit of our operational plans, this issue of The Kuwaiti Digest also features special reports which offer a glimpse into how our Company is making progress throughout all areas of KOC's activity in the field and beyond. In regard to KOC operations, the Company has made enormous strides in terms of completing major projects and ensuring we are on the road to excellence. Readers will find articles in the pages that follow which are dedicated to shedding light on the progress KOC is making throughout the areas of our operations, from detailed technical submissions which highlight new breakthroughs in the field to articles which aim to streamline administrative Qusai Al-Amer functions in the office. This issue also features stories Deputy Chief Executive Officer which all employees can benefit from in some shape Administration or form. I therefore encourage everyone to spend some time with these articles in order to discover how each of you can apply these lessons learned in As the heat from another Kuwaiti summer subsides your respective fields of work. and as we welcome the cooler weather of the fall season, it is our firm belief here at KOC that we are At KOC, our unwavering commitment to the safety more prepared than ever to address the complex of our personnel and natural environment remains oil and gas challenges which lie ahead. While it uncompromised, which is highlighted by the recent may be true that the pace of life in Kuwait slows publication of a KOC book titled Restoring the down somewhat during the summer months, it is Nature of Kuwait. This book, which was created in nevertheless truly inspiring to see KOC employees collaboration with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific remaining steadfast in their efforts to deliver on Research, is an important resource for those wishing the same level of commitment to their duties as to learn more about the progress that has been made they do year-round. Therefore, I would like to take through the Kuwait Environmental Remediation this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks and Program (KERP). In addition, our commitment to appreciation to all employees and contractors who safety extends far beyond our concern for bodily or continue to display high levels of professionalism, environmental harm, as we must now remain fully responsibility, and integrity as they uphold their committed to the protection of our information duties to the Company and Kuwait. security as well, which readers can learn about in a special article which covers KOC’s first Cyber- In the pages that follow, readers will find a number Security event. of stories related to the Company’s progress and development over the last quarter. Our lead story In closing, I would like to encourage all employees for this issue covers the recent “Connect Energy to continue working toward the goals of our 2040 Kuwait” event, which witnessed the participation Strategy while remaining dedicated to the protection of H.E. the British Ambassador to Kuwait Michael and health of our fellow employees and the Kuwaiti Davenport, KOC CEO Emad Mahmoud Sultan, population as a whole. Our commitment to our senior Company officials, and a wide range of community and environment remains strong, and visiting delegations from the UK’s Oil and Gas we look forward to working harder to deliver on business community. This important event came at our obligation of exploring for and producing oil a notable point in the State of Kuwait and KOC’s for our beloved country, Kuwait. 3

KOC Hosts “EIC Connect Energy Kuwait 2019”

Connect Energy, a collaborative initiative organized by KOC, EIC, and the UK’s Department for International Trade, featured discussions which focused on how to strengthen the close relationship between Kuwait and the UK.

As part of an effort to further de- Penney, the UK’s Trade Commis- naifi, DCEO South & East Kuwait, velop Kuwait’s strong relation- sioner for the Middle East, Af- were present during the event. ghanistan & Pakistan, and KOC ship with the United Kingdom, Connect Energy, a collaborative CEO Emad Mahmoud Sultan. KOC recently hosted the “En- initiative organized by KOC, EIC, Stuart Broadley, EIC CEO, and ergy Industries Council (EIC) and the UK’s Department for In- members from the British diplo- – Connect Energy Kuwait 2019” ternational Trade, featured dis- matic staff in Kuwait and visit- event at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil cussions which focused on how ing trade delegations from the & Gas Exhibition. to strengthen the close relation- UK were also in attendance. Se- ship between Kuwait and the UK, The event, which was held under nior KOC officials such as Qusai especially in the fields of com- the patronage of His Excellency Al-Amer, DCEO Administration, merce, business, and industry. Michael Davenport, the British Bader Al Attar, DCEO Planning Ambassador to Kuwait, also fea- & Finance, Ali Al-Kandari, DCEO KOC CEO Emad Sultan deliv- tured the participation of Simon North Kuwait, and Bader Al-Mu- ered the event’s opening remarks KOC CEO Emad M. Sultan, H.E. the British Ambassador Michael Davenport, and senior officials stand for the National Anthem of Kuwait. by extending a warm welcome lenging projects which lie ahead. at the heart of Kuwait’s economy, to the guests, especially to those From heavy oil in North Kuwait for a long time to come.” from the British diplomatic and to the protection of our cyber The Ambassador went on to say business community who made security, and from enhanced oil that this event hosted by KOC the journey to Kuwait. In his recovery techniques to the new was the first EIC Connect event speech, the KOC CEO said that frontier of offshore production with the UK, and he thanked the long and close relationship from Kuwait’s territorial waters, KOC for its support and spon- between the State of Kuwait and KOC is looking for the best that sorship. He also noted that this the United Kingdom was one the international oil and gas in- event was especially remarkable that is rich with history, adding dustry has to offer. Time and because it came at a time when that the story of Kuwait could again, the best the world has to the State of Kuwait and the UK not be told without mentioning offer often comes from the UK - th were observing the 120 anni- the United Kingdom and the im- so we are very honored to have versary of the signing of the 1899 mense role it played in shaping all of you here with us today,” he Treaty of Friendship. A fact, the modern Kuwait. concluded. Ambassador maintained, which “KOC, for example, is the prima- His Excellency the British Ambas- demonstrates that the close rela- ry engine on which the State of sador to Kuwait Michael Daven- tionship between the two coun- Kuwait’s economy runs, and this port then addressed the audience tries extends far before the dis- is a company that was founded and said, “This event is an ex- covery of oil was even made. by the British in 1934,” the CEO ample of our commitment. Here H.E. Michael Davenport then said, adding, “While Kuwait today we have around 50 British said that Kuwait and the UK has undergone a massive trans- companies that lead the world have stood together in the face of formation since the 1930s, our in areas such as exploration, cy- challenges and supported each relationship with the United ber security, digitalization, and other during times of need. He Kingdom remains as strong as artificial intelligence. In March also elaborated on other aspects ever, and today, we seek to build of 2019, we saw the signing of a of the bond which exists between even further on the close coop- Memorandum of Understand- the two countries which extend eration that exists between our ing between UK Export Finance beyond the oil sector, such as two countries in the energy sec- (UKEF) and KPC. This event will how Britain serves as a home tor and beyond.” do much in the way of introduc- away from home for many Ku- The CEO went on to say that, in ing British companies to the op- waitis. He also maintained that part, the goal of the Connect En- portunities on offer in Kuwait Kuwaitis have invested much in ergy event was to facilitate the ex- and the facilities that UKEF offer. the UK, and there are more Ku- change of knowledge and exper- I look forward to a continuation waitis studying in the UK than tise. “Today, the State of Kuwait of our partnership and many anywhere else in the world. He and KOC are seeking to expand similar events that bring new further upheld this strong rela- our knowledge and expertise as technologies, innovation, and ex- tionship by discussing common we prepare to tackle the chal- pertise together in a sector that is interests between the two coun- 5

KOC CEO Emad M. Sultan H.E. the British Ambassador Michael Davenport tries, such as safeguarding shipping in the Gulf, and its business relationship with Kuwait. UK brands protection against external threats. and institutions are also thriving in Kuwait, he added; however, the oil sector is where the partnership In his speech to the audience, the Ambassador is strongest. He then explained that the UK has been added that Kuwait is an important market for the challenging methods of extraction and production, UK, which is partially due to the fact that Kuwait is while maintaining a deep commitment to research one of the ten fastest growing export markets in the and development. world. He then praised the participation of KOC’s Commercial Teams in an EIC event in Manchester in The Trade Commissioner then ended his speech by November 2018, which was followed by a successful providing prominent examples of Kuwaiti projects event in Aberdeen. He also discussed the UK’s role in the oil sector that the UK has been working on, in helping to modernize the Kuwaiti oil sector and such as projects in the North Sea and sustainability increasing capacities for production, and he referred and environmentally friendly applications for the to a utilization and storage event set to take place field. This cooperation has been made possible by soon which he hoped both sides could benefit from. sharing cutting edge knowledge through close partnership, he concluded. The Ambassador concluded his speech by encour- aging the organizers to ensure events like Connect Stuart Broadley, CEO of EIC then addressed the Energy occur on an annual basis before wishing ev- audience. He thanked KOC CEO Emad Sultan for eryone a productive session and fruitful discussion. sponsoring the event and explained that there were approximately 50 UK companies in attendance. Simon Penney, Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner Founded in 1943, his company was created to help for the Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan, was British companies make headway in the interna- then welcomed to the stage. In his address, Penney tional energy sector. Since its inception, it has helped said, “Our trading partnership is broad, spanning investors insert about $500 billion in energy-related across multiple sectors from healthcare and edu- projects. cation to energy and retail. Annual bilateral trade Broadley went on to say that Kuwait is an impor- between the UK and Kuwait has increased by 1.7% tant market for companies based in the UK. Some of year on year. UK exports to Kuwait have increased the companies which he mentioned as being present by 12.3% in the same period, showing that there is a at the event included Roxtec, OR&A, Petrofac, and great appetite for British goods and services here.” GAC, with Al-Rashid and Al-Ghanim International Penney went on to say that the Gulf is the UK’s sec- from Kuwait providing one-on-one opportunities, ond largest export market in the world, which is in addition to KOC. He then thanked them for their why the UK is very interested in further developing support, adding that the event took a year of hard stage and shed light on how KOC projects are carefully planned and budgeted. He also talked about the KOC Business Operating System and the En- hanced Capital Alloca- tion program. The event’s following session was titled: “Doing Business in Kuwait (Registration, Procurement, Pre- Qualification, Legal Requirements)”. The Kuwait Direct Invest- ment Promotion Au- thority (KDIPA) led the way by taking the work to organize and would not have been possible stage to explain why Kuwait was a lucrative mar- without collaborative effort. ket for investment. The representative from KDIPA explained her company’s facilitating procedures in The event was then opened for presentations and order to clarify some of the requirements which are discussions. Simon Hosking, Cyber Representative necessary for conducting business in Kuwait. to the Gulf from the UK Solution for Protection of Oil Assets, delivered the first presentation, which Meanwhile, KOC’s Mosab Al-Ali discussed eBusi- covered ways to address security challenges. He ness, registration, tenders, and bids. He then opened provided an example of the cyber-attack on Aramco a Q&A session with the audience. This was followed in 2012, which led to extensive losses, and how to by Mansour Abdullah delivering a presentation in avoid such attacks. He maintained that cyber sabo- which he discussed pre-qualified contractors. tage was a real threat and explained why the oil sec- The following session of the event featured contractor is particularly vulnerable. He went on to explain tor updates from Wood and Alghanim International. the difference between IT and OT and why having Chris Humphrey, Operations Director of Wood in a connection between the two could pose a threat to Kuwait, launched this session by thanking EIC for companies in the oil sector. providing him with an opportunity to share infor- Tim Palmer, Deputy Head of Civil, Infrastructure mation. He then discussed Wood’s projects in Ku- and Energy Projects in UKEF, followed. He dis- wait and the region, while also discussing some of cussed the memorandum of understanding signed their key projects and future opportunities. with KPC and its subsidiaries, with an aim to in- The next presentation was provided by Colin McK- crease exports. He provided examples of his com- enzie, Group President, Energy, from Alghanim Inter- pany’s projects and initiatives, including the Clean national. He provided a brief overview and history Fuels Project in Kuwait, and other projects in Malay- of his company, and the different sectors it covers. sia, Oman and Mozambique, that were made pos- Meanwhile, contractor updates from Petrofac and sible with export finance support. others took place before a panel discussion was held, The event then saw a presentation from Faisal where participants discussed the best ways in which Hasan, Senior Planner from the Strategic Planning companies from the UK can do business in Kuwait. Team, who talked about KOC’s effort to maintain its EIC Connect Energy Kuwait 2019 provided a valu- world-class level of excellence. In part, he explained able service for KOC and the State of Kuwait by cre- the importance of achieving balance between maxi- ating a forum where individuals were able to meet mizing production while maintaining sustainability. first-hand and learn more about the best the UK sup- Yousef Sabri, KOC Planning Specialist, then took the ply chain has to offer. 7 KOC Organizes 1st Cyber Security Conference

KOC recently organized its first information security conference, which took place at the KOC Tent in Ahmadi. The event, held over the course of two days, included the attendance of KOC CEO Emad Mahmoud Sultan and a host of international experts who specialize in the field of information security. Senior K-Company officials attended the event's opening ceremony.

The KOC Cyber Security Sum- The summit aimed to wait’s vision of preparing the mit opening ceremony was at- put Kuwait on the re- country’s youth for the challeng- tended by a number of KOC gional and international es of tomorrow. DCEOs, Group Managers, and map in terms of cyber “This summit aims to put Ku- Team Leaders, in addition to of- security preparedness wait on the regional and inter- ficials from other K-Companies, by assembling an array national map in terms of cyber members of the Cyber Secu- of high-profile experts security preparedness. In addi- rity Committee in the oil sector, in cyber security from tion, we believe this event will ministry representatives and of- do much in the way of identify- ficials, guests from other GCC various organizations countries, and a number of inter- across the globe. ing and developing the immense national guests and presenters. potential within our local talents to address the global shortage of During the event, the KOC CEO on national critical infrastruc- cyber security professionals and delivered two speeches. The first tures, economic activity, and capabilities,” the CEO said. was delivered during the open- regional connectivity,” the CEO ing ceremony, where Sultan wel- said, adding, “This two-day To conclude his speech, the CEO comed those in attendance and summit has assembled an array reviewed the significant ben- said that the conference would of high-profile experts in cyber efits, new knowledge, and les- mark the beginning of a series security from various organiza- sons learned that the conference of activities which the Company tions across the globe, with an would focus on, adding that the intends to organize in the field of aim of strengthening cyber secu- conference would greatly assist information security. rity awareness and creating an in the creation of a safer cyber emphasis on knowledge transfer security environment for Ku- “As we are all aware, interna- to assist in building the next gen- wait. He also reiterated one of tional cyber threats are becom- eration of national cyber security the strong themes of the event, ing increasingly more sophis- professionals.” which was that “cyber security ticated and complex in nature. is everyone’s responsibility.” Every day, we hear about new The CEO went on to say that types of cyber-attacks that have KOC is committed to social re- Following the CEO’s speech, a impacted many organizations sponsibility in all forms, includ- number of presentations from in all sectors. These incidents do ing identifying and empowering international cyber security spe- not just cause losses of billions of the cyber security leaders of the cialists were delivered to the au- dollars; they also have an impact future, which is in line with Ku- dience. In general, the presenta- 9

complete protection against outside attacks. He went on to say that going back to the basics of information security is often the best solution. In this regard, he said that a simple matter such as weak passwords were one of the greatest weaknesses of all organizations in terms of information security shortcomings. The first day of the conference also featured a “Capture the Flag” cyber security competi- KOC CEO Emad M. Sultan addresses the audience. tion. Approximately 40 contes- tants who were divided into 10 tions addressed the risks posed when addressing an attack that teams took part in the competi- by cyber-attacks, the means to is initiated in the virtual world, tion, which aimed to refine and combat them, and how to main- and that sometimes counter- develop local talents and address tain the security of KOC’s in- measures are required to fend off the issue of an international formation and data. They also attacks and protect the safety of shortage of specialized cyber se- touched on how to build capa- an organization’s systems. curity professionals. The number bilities from the ground up, in of Kuwaiti participants exceeded Following Robert Lee’s presen- addition to shedding light on the 70%, which is an indication of the tation, Chris Roberts of Attivo recent cyber-attacks which oc- promising presence of young in- Networks, a prominent inter- curred in the Middle East. dividuals from the local commu- national expert who specializes nity who are capable of filling the Robert Lee, CEO of Dragos Inc., in developing safety measures future roles Kuwait will require delivered a presentation at the against hacking, delivered a in the field of cyber security. event titled: “The Industrial presentation titled: “A Hacker Cyber Threat Landscape.” In Perspective: Where Do We Go The second day of the conference his presentation, Lee shared a From Here?” In his presentation, began with an opening speech number of case studies which Roberts revealed the fact that from Dr. Reem Al-Shammari, included attacks on Supervisory firewalls do not always provide Team Leader Information Secu- Control and Data Acquisition systems, or SCADA. Lee told the audience that hacking is the first step required in the process of carrying out cyber-attacks on industrial control systems. He also informed the audience that in addition to causing damage to information systems, some attacks had the dangerous potential to injure employees working in facilities. In this regard, he cited an example of a group of hackers who attacked the safety systems of a factory that were designed to ensure the safety of employees. The Dragos CEO then said that defense was often not enough Robert Lee, CEO of Dragos Inc., delivers his presentation. rity. In her speech, Al-Shammari Flag” competition and wished cyber attacks, breaches of data, provided an overview of the them luck in future international and identity theft. In this regard, conference’s highlights and dis- competitions. He concluded his KOC has enacted measures to cussed the importance of cyber speech by telling the audience vigilantly ensure the Company security for an organization like he was confident that, through is protected from cyber attacks KOC. She also commended the teamwork and perseverance, and hackers. Over the years, Company’s senior leadership for KOC would be able to address KOC has invested a significant supporting this initiative, which the cyber security challenges amount of time, money, and re- she said was necessary in order which lie ahead. sources to ensure the Company to ensure KOC was protected is protected and able to defend Several teams from KOC partici- from outside attacks which itself from any nefarious activi- pated in organizing the events could have the potential to dis- ties which could hinder critical of the conference, including the rupt Company operations. operations or create losses. Information Team, the Public Meanwhile, Mohammed Al- Relations Team, the Community The idea behind the creation of Doub, Consultant and Informa- Services Team, and the Informa- this event began earlier in the tion Security Specialist, deliv- tion Technology Services Team. year after it was decided that a ered a presentation titled: “From About KOC’s 1st Cyber cyber security conference and Zero To Hero in Cyber Security.” Security Conference competition would do much in Al-Doub advised attendees in the way of creating awareness the audience who were thinking All modern organizations, – in the among Company employees. about learning more about cyber governmental and private sec- Senior Company officials also security to focus on one specific tors alike – collect, process, and saw the potential for the event field instead of many. This, he store large amounts of data on to prepare KOC’s next genera- said, would help them achieve computers and other devices. A tion of cyber security profession- excellence and become experts large amount of that data poten- als against future cyber threats. in their respective fields. tially includes sensitive informa- In addition, part of the event’s Following Al-Doub’s presentation, such as financial data, per- goal was to discover local talent tion, Maher Yammout, Security sonal information, and other data and capabilities in information Researcher from the Global Re- that, if accessed by unauthorized security, with the idea being to search and Expert Analysis Team groups, could lead to serious se- develop that talent and put it on (GREAT) at Kaspersky, delivered curity breaches or financial losses. the right track as a first step in a presentation which focused Therefore, cyber security, also re- addressing the issue of an inter- on Advanced Persistent Threats ferred to as Information Security, national shortage of cyber secu- (APTs), which is a reference to is crucial to providing the neces- rity specialists. sary protection from hacking or long-term attacks on targeted The importance of this event random access to information, systems which attempt to gain was signified by KOC CEO and the sensitive devices that access to sensitive information. Emad Sultan’s participation in hold that information. In his closing speech at the con- the event. After the CEO shared ference, KOC CEO Emad Sultan Cyber security, by definition, his belief that cyber security was said that it was his hope for the is any technology which pro- an important priority for the conference to serve as a catalyst tects computers, networks, pro- Company, the Information Secu- for positive change in terms of grams, and data from unauthor- rity Team began to communicate how the Company approaches ized access, or attacks with the with those interested in the field issues related to cyber security. aim of exploitation. In the past, of cyber security until the idea He then thanked the event’s or- resources were more focused was finalized and all the details ganizers and participants, noting on critical system components of the conference were agreed that the speakers played a cru- and providing protection from on. The Company then invited a cial role in creating a high level known threats, which left other number of international experts event which focused on critically components indefensible, and in the field of cyber security to relevant topics. The CEO then systems unprotected from less deliver lectures on the dangers commended the winners and serious risks. Cyber security of cyber attacks and ways to participants of the “Capture the also includes the prevention of combat them. 11 Upscaled Rock Tester for KOC

Submitted by Nabil Al-Adani, Senior Specialist, R&D Programs Team & Eman Al-Kandari, Team Leader R&D Programs Team

In most cases, an adjustment Core plugs 25 to 50cm apart rather than adjusting values lat- is applied to permeability and were acquired from wells, which er in the simulator. porosity values in a simulator are at least 1,000m apart. The Today, computing power is im- to match the actual production core plug lab data and geologi- proving and is exponentially history. Geostatistical modelling cal lithological interpretation faster compared to the past. A includes upscaling and ranking were integrated through geo- parallel computing concept was processes in building a 3D simu- statistical modelling. The grids used to build a 1 billion cells lation model which incorporate of 100X100X0.5m were upscaled [‎2] simulator. The software using microscopic data, thin sections for simulation purposes. The and CT-scans, size, core, depth assumed culprit is the heteroge- the improved hardware is called data, logs, well tests, and seismic neity and layers connectivity in GigaPOWERS, which features data; however, modifications and the model. However, if we can enhanced algorithms. The simu- corrections are still required. [‎1] model as accurate as possible lator can now have finer grids to the heterogeneity mimic the geological resolution and unknown layers and have a less statistical upscal- boundaries through ing requirement. Also, this sim- larger-scale materi- ulator is four times faster and als, then we might can handle dual porosity, dual have a better chance permeability and large composi- in fixing the model tional models. [‎3]

Source: SPE-175560-MS, Figure 1 [‎1] Source: SPE-24700-PA, Figure 1 [‎2] SPE-142297-MS, Figure 14 [3] Source: ARMA/NARMS 04-498, Figure 5 [‎5]

In the core imaging world, the ing voxels computer modelling. Image upscaled models were 5mm core plugs were scanned The linear X-ray attenuation created to estimate permeability using 3D X-ray voxels. The to- coefficients were correlated to and capillary pressure values.[‎5] mography was correlated to density. A nonlinear anisotro- In a geomechanical world, core porosity and modelled for per- pic diffusion (to remove noise) samples from 1.85 to 5.9in were meability, formation factor, and and edge sharpening filters capillary pressure values. There were used to generate a precise tested applying uniaxial com- are similarities between the bimodal densities distribution. pressive strength. The larger lab and image-derived values. The purpose is to select the cut- the core size is, the weaker the However, heterogeneity effect is off to distinguish porosity from uniaxial compressive strength. evident in some numbers. A 3D the rest of the material. By com- A 36in diameter geomechanical image of 8mm to 1cm diameter paring the image-derived poros- cell was used to perform tests plugs and around 2.73 cubic mm ity, permeability and capillary on 32in diameter charcoal and substance volume of resolution pressure values with lab tests, it limestone samples by applying around 4.3 microns was gener- was revealed that there are simi- a uniaxial compression with hy- ated using an 80 kV and 200 larities, but they are sometimes draulic confinement pressure us- microAmps X-ray source. The overwhelmed by heterogene- ing oil. The tests were compared generation of the image took ity effect. Both carbonate and with 2, 4 and 12in core plugs as approximately 44 hours, includ- sandstone samples were tested. well. The 32in core was coated

ARMA-1972, Figure 3 [‎7] Source: ARMA-84-0457, Figure 1 [‎8] 13

fractured blocks of sandstone, tuff, granite, hydrostone and concrete. A maximum uniaxial compressive force of 2.67e6 N was laid on the test material using gas to pressurize. Two horizontal directional stresses of 35MPa at maximum were applied as well on the block. [‎8] Going much larger, two mud- stone slabs of 14m x 11m x 1.8m in dozer size weighed 510 tons and 1640 tons 21m x 13m x 2m were tested out for the geomechanical purpose in a field using bulldozer D9. Concrete walls were constructed around the slabs for containment purposes. The infill substance in the tested pieces did not demonstrate any significant development of ISRM-IS-2000-430, Figure 2 shearing, and there was only minimal vertical dilation. Most with waterproofed latex paint to It should be noted that the big- shearing occurred at the bound- ensure proper insulation while ger the sample size is, the faster aries between the week and strong material in the test rocks. applying the confining pressure. it tends to fail. The larger samples tend to fail at much lower It was observed in comparison It was found that similar values with lab data, that the hand-ex- strength than smaller ones. [‎7] of Young’s and shear moduli cavated samples demonstrated were observed. However, the The shear tests were performed similar geomechanical behavior Poisson’s ratio did not match. on 1.5 ton and one cubic meter to drilled core plugs. [9]

Source: ARMA-84-0457, Figure 1 [‎8] In the fluid flow testing world, a ter. Required controlled draw- Abdulrahman Al-Mana, J.Tan, 0.37in diameter hole was drilled down tests for sand production W.Dreiman, A.Fugl, Abdulaziz into a 1.75in diameter of 4.13in were compared with field obser- Al-Baiz, “New Frontiers in Large length core. The objective was vation. It was found that such Scale Reservoir Simulation”, to simulate a well condition and test results were comparable.[13] SPE-142297-MS, 2011. measure the radial flow from Conclusion Dennis Denney, “Digital Core the borehole into the formation. Laboratory: Reservoir-Core Such mini models helped in It is evident that the larger the Properties Derived From 3D Im- controlling parameters and per- samples are, the much closer to ages”, SPE-0504-0066-JPT, 2004. forming a better study of acid reality are the results; hence, the reaction with limestone.[10] Hav- values might be used with more C. H. Arns, H. Averdunk, F. ing a closer flow shape test sam- confidence for the reservoir Bauget, A. Sakellariou, T.J. Sen- ple improves the outcome. Two characterization and simulation den, A.P. Sheppard, R. M. Sok, wedge cores were cut at the apex purposes. Building a large rock W.V. Pinczewski, and M.A. angles of 31 and 32 degrees with tester (2 X 2 X 2 meter) equipped Knackstedt, “Digital Core Lab- a base width of 1.8cm and an av- with acoustic, electric and pres- oratory: Reservoir core analy- erage length of 24cm. The wedge sure sensors is needed to de- sis from 3D images”, ARMA/ core was used to simulate the ra- velop equations and models for NARMS 04-498, 2004. dial flow near the borehole. The integrating field data into large Roger G. Rowe, “Rock Mechan- flow was well simulated using scale models. The complexity ics Testing of Large Diameter Place iT simulator. The none-vis- of reservoir models due to ob- Core at the Crandon Deposit”, cosified and viscosified aqueous served heterogeneity within the Chapter 34, Issues in Rock Me- Newtonian fluids were flown in carbonate deposits and sand lay- chanics, ARMA-82-324, 1982. both test samples. A better agree- ers in the reservoirs of North, Madan M. Singh and Peter J. ment with simulation results South and West Kuwait can be Huck, “Large Scale Triaxial was achieved compared to linear addressed through such testers. [11] Tests on Rock”, Rock Mechanics, flow in standard lab cores. It will help in enhancing the uti- ARMA, 1972. A one meter high and 30cm in lization of existing smaller-scale diameter cylinder was filled data, like core and well logs. For Roger G. Rowe, “Large Scale with recovered core sand to test example, integration of borehole Static and Dynamic Friction Ex- the best sand-control solutions. resistivity and acoustic images periments”, Chapter 48, Rock The cylinder was tested at the with seismic data to enhance Mechanics in Productivity, Pro- vertical position. The results seismic interpreted attributes tection, ARMA-84-0457, 1984. were like standard core labora- are one of the pioneering goals Norbert R P Baczynski, “Large tory tests. However, this setup to improve our 3D models with Scale In-situ Shear Tests for Slope did not mimic a real well con- available in-house data. Design”, ISRM-IS-2000-430, [12] dition. A 32in high and 27.5in References 2000. squared box was filled with four sand blocks. The boundaries be- Alan A. Curtis, “Multi-scale R.D. Gdanski, and L.R. Norman, tween blocks were filled by the Reservoir Characterisation from “Using the Hollow-Core Test to approximately 100mD proppant Pore Scale to Simulation Scale: Determine Acid Reaction Rates”, to ensure permeability and po- Concepts and Workflows”, SPE- SPE 12151-PA, 1986. rosity continuity. An overburden 175560-MS, 2015. R. Stalker, I.J. Littlehales, G.M. pressure with two directional Eivind Damsleth and C.B. Tjol- Graham, and G.F. Oluyemi, horizontal stress was applied up sen, “Scale Consistency from “Radial Core Flood Placement to a maximum of 55.1MPa. The Core Geologic Description”, Tests”, SPE 114096, 2008. blocks were saturated with brine SPE-24700-PA, 1994. M. Anderson, “SAGD Sand and permeability of 300mD was Control: Large Scale Testing Re- estimated. A 4in hole was drilled Ali H. Dogru, Larry S. Fung, sults”, SPE-185967-MS, 2017. in the center, cased, cemented Usuf Middya, Tareq M. Al- and perforated as well to mimic Shaalan, Tom Byer, H. Hoy, W.A. M. Anderson, “Large-Scale Lab- well sand production. Both oil Hahn, Nabil Al-Zamel, J. Pita, K. oratory Sand Production Test”, and water were flown in the tes- Hemanthkumar, M.Mezghani, SPE-185967-MS, 1992. 15

Submitted by Mishaal Al-Rasheedi, Senior Delegating Work Supervisor (Asset Control), Financial Support Team

The word delegate is defined as: “To assign authority The delegation of responsibilities should remind everyone in and responsibility to a subordinate at a lower level an office setting that the work- than you.” Delegation is a trait that all great managers place is not a single individual’s achieve through their common workload and in domain – rather, the end goal of their day-to-day work environment. By delegating every organization is a team’s job. Employees should always be properly, managers may achieve and finish their able to work around tasks in an organization’s tasks in an efficient and timely manner efficient manner, such as when before their deadlines. However, delegating work someone with more knowledge may not always be as straightforward as it seems, in one task or area may be able to delegate another responsibility and oftentimes it requires sensitivity and finesse. to a colleague. Great entrepre- For example, in many cases the work that is being neurs such as Bill Gates always delegated can be interpreted as relevant, critical, and delegate in order to have an im- important by subordinates; however, other times pact in their work or business the routine or “busy” work being delegated may be and their life. viewed negatively by the party who was asked to When employees are not ex- cited or motivated to delegate complete the task. A good manager, however, is able work or receive work delegated to effectively delegate all types of work in a way that to them, it could be because the does not create discord in the workplace. fundamental process of delegation being utilized is not efficient or effective. Delegation requires knowledge and tact. For example, it will not be effective to delegate responsibilities to individuals if they are not knowl- edgeable of the subject matter, or if they do not have enough time or resources to complete the job effectively. If jobs are being stalled because of these rea- sons, it is a clear indication that the way work is being delegated should change. Organizations must ensure that the correct environment exists where employees are encouraged to put forth their best work with maximum efficiency. Managers must also communicate more with employees in order to receive as much information as required for the task. In terms of effective delegation, managers can consider delegating tasks to groups of employees, as in addition to building morale through teamwork, it al- lows employees to become better at working with others in a group setting in the future. Man- agers can also choose to delegate managers should not give em- the right knowledge who is ca- entire projects to employees, as ployees with less experience any pable of completing the task doing so often builds their team- without having to compromise work abilities, confidence, and tasks. Proper delegation is key – his own work or responsibili- increases their commitment to giving employees suitable work ties. The delegator must define their jobs. that matches their skill levels while also challenging them will the task or assignment clearly When delegating, managers build trust and test their abilities. and provide detailed directions should elaborate on the required and expectations, such as the tasks by providing the appropri- To be able to delegate effectively, due dates and task requirements ate training and resources before managers can try to incorpo- and objectives. After delegating, the job is done. Managers should rate some of the suggestions the delegator must understand delegate people with a good which follow. First, an analy- which specific tasks are priori- track record of positive perfor- sis of the task or objective must tized, monitor the progress of mance and whose judgments be conducted. In other words, the work, and set dates for deliv- they trust. If tight schedules the manager must know the erables to ensure work is being exist, it may not be possible to objective of the work and not conducted in a timely manner. check the entirety of their work delegate work that is out of his If anything is not completed or regularly. It is therefore impera- jurisdiction or understanding. is not in order within the time- tive that the right individual be The delegator must choose the line, it can be addressed or fixed selected for the right job. How- right employee to be delegated, by bringing in the right people ever, this does not mean that and it should be someone with to finish the work. At the end, 17 an important role as a delega- dependent thinking and allow not be able to keep it to the same tor is to publicly announce or employees to come up with their levels or standards. However, acknowledge the work that was own solutions, while offering that represents a lost opportu- completed by the delegates in guidance and instructions along nity. Managers and owners must order for them to remain moti- the way. trust their own judgement in or- vated for future work. In order for managers to reach der to move ahead and compete For effective delegation, one a certain position, they must with the market. must be able to communicate first be able to trust the employ- In conclusion, employees must with their subordinates. Manag- ees that they delegate. They be given the formal initiative of ers must be able to assert them- must also be able to trust their working together with manag- selves to their staff and inform own judgement. As witnessed ers and supervisors, and man- them of their responsibilities by low performing companies, agers should properly delegate and the importance of the tasks employees might refuse work certain tasks in order for em- they are expected to accomplish. or new opportunities because ployees to expand their knowl- Furthermore, managers must their CEOs and managers lack edge, with the added benefit of clarify why the assignment is or have no trust in either their the employees themselves able critical to the unit and company. own judgement or their employ- People are more driven when ees, which does not allow them to properly delegate tasks in the they realize how influential their to grow or move forward. For future when they become man- project is, and how it affects big- example if a restaurant is do- agers based on the information ger projects and the company ing great with only one location and methods they have learned as a whole. Those in positions open, and they have the means which can be attributed to the of authority should set certain to open another location, some effective delegation of responsi- goals and expect them to be ful- managers or owners might be bilities. Delegating is not only a filled. Managers should guide afraid of the expansion because way of finishing tasks more ef- their staff through projects and of the fear that if they delegated ficiently; it is also an asset to the make sure they meet deadlines. someone in order to maintain the company when it is conducted They should also encourage in- new establishment, they might properly and in a timely fashion. Restoring the Nature of Kuwait

KOC & KISR have collaborated on a book which details KOC’s conservation & rehabilitation efforts

As part of a collaborative process with the Kuwait Institute for Restoring the Nature of Kuwait, the State of Kuwait’s implemen- by Dr. Samira Omar and Waleed tation plan for conservation and Scientific Research Roy, touches on KOC’s compre- management of biodiversity. hensive program known as the (KISR), Kuwait Oil Com- Restoring the Nature of Kuwait Total Remediation Solution, does much in the way of illus- pany (KOC) recently which includes several reme- trating KOC’s efforts towards diation projects that are being published the first edi- environmental rehabilitation. It worked on cooperatively with also highlights the collaborative tion of a book detailing KISR and the Kuwait Nation- efforts which have gone into the the Company’s prog- al Focal Point (KNFP). These projects include the Kuwait Kuwait Environmental Reme- ress and achievement Environmental Remediation diation Program and the work in regard to its environ- Program (KERP), the largest that is being conducted to ac- remediation and restoration complish the goals set forth in mental conservation program in the world which the initiative. and protection efforts. was awarded to Kuwait by the The book, according to the au- United Nations Compensation thor’s foreword, also describes Commission (UNCC). the problem of land degrada- In part, the book details KOC’s tion in dry land regions which In particular, the book highlights efforts to conserve and protect has accelerated to an extreme the rehabilitation and restoration biodiversity within its areas of pace, leading to the loss of veg- efforts in areas of Kuwait that operation, with particular em- etation cover and fertile topsoil, were severely damaged during phasis on the large-scale remedi- increased dust storms, and in- the 1990/91 Iraqi invasion, in- ation and restoration programs creasing desertification. Today, cluding the purposeful detona- which aim to allow for the recov- Kuwait faces a variety of natural tion of more than 700 oil wells ery of Kuwait’s damaged eco- and human-induced challeng- which led to one of the worst systems. It also seeks to identify es that threaten the country’s environmental catastrophes the the factors which lead to land unique and highly diverse coast- world has ever seen. degradation while presenting al and marine environment. 19

which was one of the first steps in a process that saw the creation of natural reserves in Kuwait such as the Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve and more. In summary, Restoring the Na- ture of Kuwait details KOC’s contribution to the restoration and remediation of damaged ecosystems for the purpose of conserving wildlife and vegetation of vulnerable terrestrial and marine environments. It docu- ments the extended efforts to Environmental concerns and affecting the country’s develop- remediate and restore contami- an increasing environmental ment. In 2002, Kuwait ratified nated soils due to the detonation awareness in Kuwait has cap- and developed a Biodiversity of oil wells and explores future tured the attention of all sectors Strategy and Action Plan aimed plans for ecosystem recovery in Kuwait to think of effective at conserving renewable natural and ecological functioning after measures that can resolve these resources and restoring and re- remediation and restoration im- problems without negatively habilitating damaged habitats, plementation. The KOC Little Pioneers Science Club

The first KOC Little Pioneers Science Club, which took place over the summer months in 2018, was held again this year at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition. The decision to host the event for the second year in a row was made after the first event proved to be an enormous success. 21

The KOC Little Pioneers Sci- their understanding of matters This year, the program was ence Club classes included the related to exploration and pro- unique because of the participa- participation of approximately duction of crude oil and gas. tion of various KOC Teams. “In addition to providing a benefit to 50 students aged 7-12. The ob- “Because the experience of put- young students, this experience jective was to provide scientific ting on a summer science camp has also benefited the Public Re- and practical knowledge about for students was new to us, we lations Team, as we have had an the work conducted at KOC in wanted to be fully prepared. We excellent opportunity to meet order to educate young learners made sure that all the prepara- many engineers, researchers, about matters related to work- tions were made to deliver a and professionals from through- ing in the oil industry and the curriculum and experience for out the Company. The mutual vital role this sector plays for the students that was as perfect work and tasks given are equal the Kuwaiti community. The as it could be,” said Rawdh Al- to more than a year of experi- program had the added benefit Sumait, Chief Public Relations ence, and we have reaped it in a of creating a productive space Officer. She added that the prep- matter of months. We are proud where young students were able aration for the program took of this fruitful cooperation, the to utilize their free time over the more than four months in order enthusiasm, and commitment of summer months to expand their to test its efficiency before oper- the program’s team and partici- knowledge and understanding ating the program. It included a pants,” Al-Sumait said. of Kuwait’s oil industry through review of the content, including a program that was both educa- scientific and educational mate- The program was organized into tional and entertaining. rials, worksheets, movies, songs, five topics which were distrib- experiments and activities, dis- uted over two weeks. The first All information delivered to tribution of classes, and registra- week started with engineers the students was specially cu- tion system. and geologists from the Explo- rated to fit their specific level of educational understanding. The program included various scientific experiments, educational movies, and field visits. The program team took advantage of the club’s location at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition, where students were able to visit the various exhibits and enhance ration Team. The topic was titled humans have used crude oil, and a simple model for refineries and Petroleum Geology & Methods the stages through which petro- other facilities in the field. of Oil Exploration. During these leum engineering has developed At the end of the first week, staff lectures, participants were able into the new techniques of drill- from the Marine Operations to identify the processes associ- ing and production. Participants Group participated by providing ated with oil formation, reservoir were then able to identify the pro- lectures about oil exports - from types, and how exploration is cess of drilling, step by step, by the tank farms to the tankers, and conducted. This was also illustrat- identifying parts of the drilling from the tankers to the whole ed with various scientific experi- rig and their function. They also world. Participants were able ments such as the identification of discussed how oil was pumped to identify the different types of reservoir forms, types of crude oil, out of the ground, and touched tankers, berths, and workers in and the manner in which seismic on more complicated drilling and the field of maritime operations. surveys are conducted. production issues such as pressure They also became aware of the Petroleum engineers from the offsets in wells. This experience of difficulties faced by the Group North Kuwait and West Kuwait meeting actual petroleum engi- during export operations, includ- Directorates also participated in neers allowed participants to un- ing weather fluctuations, piracy, presenting the topic of Petroleum derstand the career of petroleum oil spills, and preparedness for Engineering. Their presentations engineering while conducting sci- the fatal risks faced by maritime began with the history of how entific experiments and creating operators. In the second week, the Research & Technology Group presented a topic which focused on the environment, which mainly focused on pollution and environmental preservation. They defined the environmental disasters resulting from oil spills, whether on land or sea, and how the Company deals with such issues during and after 23

an accident. They also explained in 1991. This was introduced to Ambulance Services play for Ah- the process of water and soil re- participants through a film that madi Hospital. mediation and how to test and was screened at the exhibition, search for pollution. The team where they witnessed the envi- The closing ceremony for the then presented several experi- ronmental suffering and the pa- Little Pioneers Science Club was ments on refining and environ- triotic achievement of controlling organized by two teachers from mental conservation, including the well fires by a team of dedicat- the Ministry of Education, who how to clean contaminated water ed and patriotic Kuwaiti heroes. presented an entertaining and from oil spills, and various as- The last two days of the program educational workshop. Noura Al- pects related to the refining of oil. included presentations related Soula, Team Leader Public Rela- At the end of the day, participants to health and medicine, where tions, then offered a concluding produced artwork using refined the Family Medicine Services statement and said, “The Team materials such as plastic, paper, Division from Ahmadi Hospital and staff are looking forward to milk cans, and more. provided medical lectures focus- a repeat of this experience in the The following lectures were pre- ing on health and nutrition. This coming years. We did not expect sented by the Fire Team, who included advice on detailing the such strong commitment and discussed security and safety and importance of good health so support from parents and partici- how to deal with fire inside the that individuals may live full and pants and their admiration for the home or a burning building. The productive lives. In addition, the team also had the opportunity to Ambulance Services Section from program idea. We are now devel- talk about the most massive envi- Ahmadi Hospital provided pre- oping the program to include ad- ronmental catastrophe in history - sentations which touched on first ditional improvements for future the burning of Kuwait’s oil wells aid and the important role which participants.” #Trashtag: Protecting Kuwait’s Environment & Creating Awareness

Since its earliest days, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives have played a major role in Kuwait Oil Company’s day-to-day activities, with Company-sponsored events doing much in the way of creating awareness in the local community. Over the years, however, some proactive and environmentally conscious employees have independently chosen to pursue passion projects of their own. 25

A group photo of volunteers who took part in a #Trashtag event.

In this interview, The Kuwaiti Di- TKD: Is #Trashtag limited ground, I tell them not to, so I gest met with Yousef Al-Shatti, to beach cleanups? How did was already doing this naturally. Geologist from the Fields De- #Trashtag begin? That’s why when I saw this topic velopment Team, who recently Al-Shatti: #Trashtag was found- trending, I said, “OK, let’s make took it upon himself to organize ed on April 20 of this year, and something of this. This is a good cleanups around Kuwait which it involves cleanups for all areas, trend.” have had the added benefit of including beaches, parks, or any TKD: What kind of events does creating environmental aware- littered area. We are even orga- #Trashtag host, and what would ness within the community. nizing a campaign for the winter you consider to be #Trashtag’s TKD: Yousef Al-Shatti, thank in the desert areas. biggest achievement? you very much for joining us #Trashtag began on a social me- today to tell us more about Al-Shatti: We mostly organize dia application called Reddit. the #Trashtag Initiative. Let’s and host cleanups, but we try When I saw the topic trending, start at the beginning – what is to branch out. Last week we did I posted about it and asked if #Trashtag, and how did it begin? a blood donation, and we have anyone wanted to participate done a hospital visit for sick chil- Al-Shatti: #Trashtag began as in it, and I mentioned I wanted dren. We have also distributed an Internet trend, where people to plan one for Kuwait. People food to laborers, in addition to all over the world would take started asking me about how to some other activities which we pictures of a place that has been coordinate and how to join, so are trying to include more of. heavily littered, before and after we made a WhatsApp group Mainly, however, our focus is on they clean it up. This initiative and it grew until we got to where cleanups. became very popular all over the we are now. internet and in different parts of I would say that turning an in- TKD: What inspired you to the world, with places like Bah- ternet challenge into a real-life start this initiative? rain and Egypt also participat- community has been our biggest ing. So I thought: Why not do Al-Shatti: Usually when I go to achievement. We are a commu- one in Kuwait? We need one. Af- the beach with my friends, I find nity of volunteers from differ- ter I organized the first initiative, myself cleaning up after myself, ent cultures and different back- I found out people loved it, so or if I see plastic bottles, I pick grounds, and we are all getting we kept doing it until it became them up. Whenever one of my to know each other better while a movement. friends throws something on the working for the common good. We formed this community is willing to come pick up our lem, because we are still cutting which keeps on giving. This, to gathered litter after our clean- down trees. The issue is single- me, is the biggest achievement. ups. use items. Plastic can be good. It is reusable, cheap, and very TKD: What takes place at a TKD: Are there any future durable. A plastic water bottle #Trashtag event? How does it projects you have in mind for for example can last for ages. I usually go? #Trashtag that you’d like to share with us? believe the issue is not the mate- Al-Shatti: Usually I go and set rials themselves, but how we use up the table, set up the stuff, and Al-Shatti: Right now we are those materials. people can see me, approach me, working with KFAS on matters TKD: What is plastic doing to see our gathering, and just join related to raising awareness. I am the environment? in! Wear gloves, grab a bag, pick also trying to do something in up a grabbing stick and just go cooperation with KOC which in- Al-Shatti: It’s non-biodegradable on their way! We try to make it volves a tree planting campaign. and can stay on Earth for 500 more regulated, because we’re TKD: Can you elaborate on years. It can kill animals by trap- developing. We’re trying to your collaboration with KFAS? ping them and choking them separate the trash instead of just when they mistake it for food. Al-Shatti: Our collaboration picking up all materials and mix- It can enter their bodies, and with KFAS started when they ing them in one trash bag, so it in turn we eat those animals, heard about us and reached can be easier for recycling com- such as fish, and we then ingest out. They wanted us to make panies to pick them up. Since we that plastic as well. Through an awareness presentation for started, I think it’s safe to say we #Trashtag, we are trying to break a seminar they were having for have filled more than 600 trash that cycle from happening and high school students. We taught bags. That’s a lot of trash! make up for all the damage that them about how to use plastic has already been made to the TKD: How often do #Trashtag and what plastic is doing to the environment. We are trying to events take place and how long environment and different ap- repair what we can. do they usually last? proaches that they can use to help the environment instead of TKD: How do you think your Al-Shatti: The events usually damaging it. cleanups are affecting the cul- take one hour these days be- ture here in Kuwait? cause the weather is very hot, TKD: Would you say that but the first ones we did when #Trashtag is in any way related Al-Shatti: When you compare the weather was better would to your job here at KOC as a ge- our culture to the countries you last up to two hours. When the ologist? may visit on vacation, where ev- event finishes and we wrap ev- Al-Shatti: On the surface, the erything up, people sit around two things are not exactly re- and talk to each other, so it really lated, but as a geologist, one of depends on how long people the things I feel passionate about want to stay. We try to have an is caring for and saving the en- event every week. vironment. Seeing waste every- TKD: What is #Trashtag’s big- where is a major problem which gest challenge? can be fixed through awareness and direct action. There is no Al-Shatti: The biggest challenge need for our Earth to be ruined we are facing now is that the lit- because of ignorance. ter we are picking up is going to the government incinerator, TKD: Can you tell to us about which isn’t very eco-friendly. the worldwide plastic epidemic? We are trying to tackle this issue Al-Shatti: Single-use items in by contacting recycling facilities general are extremely wasteful so that we can separate the re- and harmful to the environment. cyclable litter. We hope to get a Even single-use items made of hold of a recycling company that paper are not solving the prob- 27 erything is clean and organized, the only difference between us and them is awareness. Once we raise awareness, once people see us cleaning up, people may think twice before throwing their garbage on the ground. They might think: There’s this group that cleans up litter… Maybe I should be more considerate and just throw it in the bin. If we keep doing this, maybe we will get ten people to become more environmentally conscious or aware, and those ten people will then spread the message, talk to their families, and hopefully we can develop our community and get it to a place where respect for the environment is held in high regard. TKD: Are there any last things ish, and German embassies. This TKD: How can people join your you would like to share with us? initiative is also getting a lot of events? media coverage. I never thought Al-Shatti: This initiative started Al-Shatti: We post about them it would blow up like this - I was with a very small group of indi- just participating in an inter- on social media. We have our viduals - maybe 12 or 13 people Instagram account. Sometimes I net challenge and now I’m the showed up to our first event, founder of this huge commu- post on different social media ac- most notably Ms. Carina Macei- counts, like Reddit, or Meetup, nity. Mashallah, our Instagram ra and I. Today, we are receiving account has 2,500 followers, and where organizations post about interest from everywhere. Even still growing. We are conducting events. We try to announce it on embassies have shown interest. awareness sessions and making all social media platforms and The American ambassador visits a positive change in the commu- people just have to show up. We us regularly. We’ve also received nity. Even in our cleanups, we provide everything. support from the French, Brit- can see people watching us and starting to help us, or picking up the litter after themselves, so it is making a change. TKD: My final question is, can you please share your social media account with us so that if anyone is interested they can contact you and know where to find you? Al-Shatti: Most people who join us know us from our Instagram account, which is TrashtagKu- wait - just one word. Other than that, I post on Reddit, on the subreddit called Kuwait, and on Meetup. If you go on Meetup, you can see the #Trashtag events pop up. Kuwaiti Co-Ops to Begin Using Biodegradable Bags

As part of an effort to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment for Kuwait, the Union of Con- sumer Co-Operative Societies (UCCS) has agreed to replace plastic bags with environmentally-friendly biodegradable bags. Senior government officials have said this new initiative will mark a new chapter in Kuwait’s effort to create new measures which are aimed at improving the health of the country’s natural environment. In part, utilizing biodegradable bags will have a long-lasting and measurable effect by decreasing the amount of plastic waste throughout the country’s landfills. On average, and depending on the type of plastic used and landfill conditions, plastic bags can take anywhere from 20 to 1,000 years to decompose. The recent announcement to ban plastic bags was made after advisors from the Kuwait Environment Public Authority (EPA) met with heads of Kuwait’s co-operative societies and Deputy Chairman of the UCCS Khaled Al-Hodheiban. The replacement of the plastic bags for biodegradable ones aims to protect Kuwait’s environment and reduce harm caused by non-biodegradable plastic bags that can threaten the health of Kuwait’s citizens and wildlife. It will also reduce the overall load and volume of trash that Kuwait’s landfills receive on a daily basis. About Plastic Waste ferent regulations about what can be recycled. Many Disposable shopping bags are convenient, but they plastic bags that are collected by recycling compa- are a major source of waste and pollution in Kuwaiti nies cannot really be recycled. Most of these bags ac- society. Plastic shopping bags on land are one of the tually end up in landfills and sit there for hundreds most common types of litter. Buildups of huge quan- of years. tities of plastic bags are well known to block local Midway Atoll in the North Pacific Ocean is the home drainage systems. For example, floods in urban ar- of the biggest albatross colony on Earth. These birds eas are often exasperated by blockages in drainage fly there to nest on these highly isolated islands, systems from plastic shopping bags. Plastic shop- and they forage at sea, often hundreds of miles out, ping bags also pose health risks to human popula- to look for food for offspring. Unfortunately, thou- tions over the years as they leach toxins into water sands of these precious birds have been found dead supplies. at Midway because they had ingested large amounts Plastic bags also are problematic to recycle. While of plastic bag shards and pieces. All of the plastic the recyclable symbol of three arrows in a circle is that was found in these birds is brought to the island on many plastic shopping bags, it often is a market- by adult birds who then feed it to young birds. It is ing trick. There are no regulations about how that estimated that four tons of plastic accumulates here symbol is used, and every city and country has dif- daily. 29

Impact on Wildlife that took up its whole stomach. Similar cases have been observed The majority of wildlife on Earth over the past few decades after is in our seas and oceans. This plastic bags were introduced. means there are hundreds of other animals and birds who Environmental Impact are at risk of injury and death Litter from plastic bags is not just on land. Plastic shopping bags have heavily contributed to a huge amount of plastic debris found in the North Pacific Ocean. This is known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It is estimated to be double the size of Hawaii, and could even be as large as the entire continental US. The Wild Studies Institute has reported that as all drains go to the ocean, 80% of this trash in the ocean originated from land. for using reusable bags. Some How You Can Reduce Plastic countries have passed plastic Bag Usage: bag bans and more are doing 1. Educate yourself about how so every year. Some stores will plastic bags affect the world. offer a cash credit for bringing Plastic shopping bags are a reusable bags. Ask the next huge environmental problem time you are checking out if around the world and are you can get a discount for us- causing huge issues that af- ing reusable shopping bags. fect human and animal health. 5. Count the plastic bags brought Also, educate your friends, family, neighbors and children into your home in a week. When about the impact plastic bags we actually count the number of have on the world. bags we bring in weekly, it can spur us to take action. 2. Use reusable shopping bags. Obviously, a major step is to 6. Spread the word. Decline plas- use your own reusable shop- tic bags at the checkout counter ping bags instead of plastic and remind the cashier and others around you that plastic bags by ingesting or being entangled bags. Reusable shopping bags hurt the environment. Yes, re- in plastic bag flotsam. Floating are available in many colors plastic shopping bags can be and styles. You also can buy usable shopping bags cost you mistaken to be jellyfish by ma- them in various weights for initially, but they can be used rine animals who consume them. different types of products, endlessly and help the planet. such as heavy cans and other One species that is at risk from 7. Fundraising. Reusable bags weighty/bulky items. the bags are sea turtles. They are extremely versatile, which risk extinction in part because of 3. If you have any plastic bags at makes the possibilities for ingesting large amounts of plas- home, reuse them. Plastic bags fundraising virtually endless. tics. Shards of plastic fester in the can be difficult to recycle, so it You can sell them outright, stomach because the plastic can- is wise to reuse plastic shop- use them in school, college, not be properly digested. ping bags at home for as long or community fundraisers, or as you can. They are good to An autopsy of the stomach of a even create themed gift totes line small trash cans. beached whale found 20 square by filling them up with an as- feet of plastic shopping bags 4. Find stores that offer a credit sortment of items. How to Prevent Desertification 31

What is Desertification? Desertification describes the process in which more and more land gradually becomes a desert. The problem associated with desertification does not merely concern itself with land simply becoming hot and dry; rather, the real problem associated with desertification concerns itself with soil becoming useless for growing crops. Around the world, desertification is most likely to occur in areas where rainfall is scarce.

What Causes Desertification? Overgrazing and disruption of desert plants in Kuwait removes Ecosystems in dry areas like this vegetation and causes ero- Kuwait are already very frag- sion and loss of topsoil. ile, and can rarely sustain the increased pressures that result Desertification in Kuwait from intense population growth. Desertification is a process which Many of these areas are inappro- became better understood dur- priately opened to development, ing the 1970s. About 15% of the when they cannot sustain hu- world’s population lives in arid man settlements. and semi-arid areas. These coun- The most common cause of de- tries, including Kuwait, face the sertification is the over cultiva- danger of desertification unless tion of desert lands. Over-cul- measures are taken to control tivation causes the nutrients in this process. the soil to be depleted faster than As a dry, arid country, Kuwait is they are restored, and improper one of 17 countries listed as being irrigation practices can result in at ‘extreme risk’ on Mapelcroft’s salinated soils and depletion of Water Stress Index, which is aquifers. made up of calculations of water Vegetation plays a major role in consumption and the renewable determining the biological com- supplies of water. In fact, it comes in third after Bahrain and Qatar. position of the soil. Studies have shown that in many environ- According to a Kuwait Institute ments, the rate of erosion and for Scientific Research’s (KSIR) runoff decreases exponentially report on combating desertifica- with increased vegetation cover. tion, Kuwait faces many water- different depths: 0.0cm, 30cm and 60cm. The analysis showed that the salinity increased with depth, especially when the hard- pan, which is a dense layer of soil found beneath the upper- most topsoil layer, was near the surface. It also showed that the soil electrical conductivity of new farms was far less than that of old farms, which range from 0.6 to 10 milli mohs/cm. This in- dicates that excessive irrigation will increase the salt content in the soil. Water samples that were taken from the study farms contained a very high salt content, which shows that the level of water in the wells has decreased while the salt content has increased to about 10,000 ppm. The presence of high salt content in the water and in the soil is considered one of the major causes of desertification in farmlands. VULNERABILITY OTHER REGIONS Low Dry A study of plants in the biosphere Moderate Cold High Humid Not vulnerable reserve at different locations was Very High Ice/glacier also included. It showed that overgrazing coupled with high related challenges. Combating desertification and creating a green cover in an arid region like Kuwait is always challenging because of many factors such as low rainfall, high evaporation, poor groundwater quality, poor soil properties and extreme weather conditions. A growing population and high standards of living have also resulted in excessive demands for water. A recent study was conducted to research the causes of desertification in the agricultural and range lands of Kuwait. Soil and water samples were taken from ten different farms locat- ed in Wafra and Abdaly. These samples were taken from three 33

Soil degradation

Pacific Ocean

Atlantic Indian Ocean Ocean

Very degraded soil Stable soil Degraded soil Without vegetation

Source: UNEP, International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), World Atlas Desertification. Philippe Rekacewicz, UNEP/GRID-Arendal animal density on range land 2. Using good farming practices created an environmental dis- such as proper crop rotation equilibrium. This factor of over- and the use of manure as a Strong preventive grazing plus high temperature, fertilizer. measures must be high evaporation rate, off-road 3. It is important that young vehicles, high density camping trees and plants are protected taken to overcome and flood irrigation contributed against overgrazing and dam- to desertification in Kuwait. age from vehicles. the desertification Strong preventive measures 4. Poor irrigation methods of the agricultural must be taken to overcome the should be avoided so that wa- desertification of the agricultural ter is not evaporated on the and range lands in and range lands in Kuwait. surface which wastes water Possible Solutions to and increases salinity. Kuwait. Desertification 5. Drought can be triggered by 1. Afforestation, or re-planting deforestation, so aforesta- trees, especially in shelter tion should help reduce this. trolled by human activity. This belts. Planting grasses can Proper usage of water on the can be achieved by people not agricultural level should also help stabilize the soil and cut misusing the land and by reduc- be emphasized. down on erosion by wind and ing the pressure of too many rain. Most desertification can be con- people living in an area. Visit Buenos Aires

Will you be in Kuwait for the winter months? Are you someone who just can’t stand the cold? If creating an endless summer is on this year’s agenda for you, why not make a journey to somewhere far south of the equator, where summer is just about to begin? If any of these questions have ticked some of your travel dreams, why not consider beautiful Buenos Ai- res, the capital city of the South American country of Argentina. Sprawling all the way from the Bolivian border south to Tier- ra del Fuego, Argentina is the world’s eighth-largest country and one of the most geographi- cally diverse. It boasts South America’s lowest floodplain and tallest mountain - Aconcagua, at nearly 23,000 feet - and claims one of the continent’s largest and most cosmopolitan urban centers as its capital. Of the more than 40 million people that call Argentina home, three million live in its capital, Buenos Aires - a dense city known for its art and literature that’s nicknamed the “Paris of South America.” The rest of the population are spread across the country’s vast expanses of rolling plains and grasslands. The best time to travel to Argen- tina depends on where you want to focus your trip. Some factors to consider: Summer, which is December through February, is 35

the best time to visit the extreme landscape of Patagonia. You’ll find fewer crowds in Buenos Aires during the summer, but it can get hot, too. The prime time to visit Buenos Aires is in the spring (October through No- vember), when the temperatures are cool and the purple jacaran- das are in bloom. A great time to see Mendoza or the Lake District is in the fall, when the foliage comes alive and there are fewer crowds. Argentina’s culture - from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires to the rustic sheep and cattle ranches platter of grilled meats. Vegetar- is the side of Argentina you’d of the Patagonian wilderness ians won’t find much to their like to see, transportation mat- - varies as widely as its land- tastes outside Buenos Aires, but ters will have to be considered. scape. Porteños, as residents of for meat-eaters, the country is Argentina is a large country, and Buenos Aires call themselves, a paradise. Adventurous eaters it has wide spaces between its are famously scholarly and lit- should try morcilla, a famous various tourist destinations. As erary. Argentine literature has Argentinian type of sausage. such, Argentina travel is often very much made it into the Buenos Aires is famous for its time consuming. A bus to Bari- mainstream through worldwide gelato shops, where the city’s loche from Buenos Aires, for translations of authors like Jorge Italian influences can be felt - example, takes 22 hours. A bet- Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar. and tasted! ter option, for most travelers, is The impact of the 20th century to take domestic flights through Outside the city, the iconic sym- European immigration wave is Aerolíneas Argentinas, the na- bol of rural Argentina is the apparent; many porteños en- tional airline, which services joy nothing more than spend- gaucho, the Patagonian cowboy. most areas of the country. To get ing their free time drinking café Gaucho culture famously in- off the beaten path, however, con leche and reading in one of volves sheep-wrangling, horse- you might want to rent a car and the capital’s many cafés. Strong riding and knife-fighting. If this see the country for yourself. communities of filmmakers, musicians and artists, as well as students from the city’s many universities, maintain a thriving intellectual life for the city. Buenos Aires is also famous for its many restaurants and vibrant nightlife. No Argentine travel guide would be complete without mentioning the most famous Argentinian food, the asado, or MEDICINE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

At the height of Islam’s golden age, the medicine practiced by Arabs throughout their empire was the most advanced in the world. Modern medical practice and knowledge, as broad and expansive as it has become, has one common thread – its roots can be partially traced to the Arab pioneers who contributed to the foundation of modern medicine as we know it.

The first trained Arab physician educated Persians were brought had taught a pure Hippocratic was Al-Harith ibn Kaladah, who in contact with Greek scientific medicine; the native Christians, shortly before the advent of Is- literature. The school was al- learning Greek so as to be able lam had traveled to the school of ready flourishing when Nestori- to read the Scriptures, had also Jundi Shapur in Persia to study an Christians from Edessa, near come in contact with Greek medicine, then returned to the modern Aleppo, sought refuge medical writings. The coming of peninsula to practice. The Per- in Persia after the East Roman the Nestorians to Jundi Shapur sian wars had brought Greek emperor Zeno in Constanti- strengthened the Greek element physicians captive to Persia, and nople ordered Edessa’s univer- there-the scientific method of Alexander’s conquest had made sity closed for supporting the close observation and carefully Greek its official language, so Nestorian heresy. The university preserved notes on symptoms, 37 treatment and results that made the medicine of Greece the first essentially modern medicine. In A.D. 630, Jundi Shapur sur- rendered peacefully to the armies of Islam. It was to remain the greatest center of medicine in Islam until Baghdad, under the Abbasids, drained it first of its best teachers then, inevitably, of students. The record of medicine among the Arabs between Ibn Kaladah and the Abbasids is incomplete. With the Abbasids, the scientific approach of Greek medicine, as taught by the physicians of Jun- di Shapur who were attracted to the great capital, was elaborated and extended by Arab intellect to bring forth the golden age of ers and greatest clinicians of the cians of the Abbasid period de- Arab medicine. Middle Ages, during which his scribed some 130 eye diseases It was the time of the Arab Kitab Al-Asrar (Book of Secrets) and also contributed a clear world’s greatest physicians, was a chief source of clinical conception of the pulmonary cir- Rhazes and Ibn Sina, whose knowledge in Europe. Second culation of the blood (some 500 portraits hang in the great hall only to Rhazes was Ibn Sina; his years before the Portuguese Ser- of the School of Medicine at the Al-Qanun fil-Tibb (The Canon) vetus, who was credited with the University of Paris. Rhazes’ 141 was the textbook in medical discovery). Some were so con- works established his reputa- schools of Europe for 500 years. fident in their surgical skill that tion as one of the keenest think- Brilliant though lesser physi- they did not hesitate to operate for cataracts on a one-eyed man. The Abbasid caliphs, in the im- petus of the day’s almost Renais- sance-like thirst for knowledge, dispensed money lavishly on translations from Greek, Syriac and Indian scientific writings, a practice reaching its peak when Al-Ma’mun, the son of Harun Al-Rashid, founded a state college of translators. The period saw some remarkable advances, such as the world’s first apothecary shops and pharmacopoeia, and as early as 931 some examination was required for all practicing physicians to test their qualifications. In addition, a staff of doctors made visits to outlying towns and to prisons. Harun Al-Rashid ert Guiscard, and settled down to translate his Greek and Arabic medical manuscripts. Later writings from Salerno clearly show Constantine’s influence in their attempts to learn from nature rather than from past authorities and in their stress on careful and collected notes. Another was Montpellier in southern France, a cosmopolitan and tolerant university town on the road between Spain and Italy, a natural refuge for the Spanish Arabs and Arabized Spaniards driven out by the growing intol- erance of Spain’s Christian rul- ers. Some were physicians, many bilingual in Arabic and Spanish and some also knowing Latin. In short, they had access to, and could pass on, both the Arab medical writings and Arabic translations from Greek. By the 14th century there was a medical school at Montpellier whose curriculum included Hippocrates and Ibn Sina, and which was built the first hospital of Islam in of scientific medicine among the turning out translators, teachers, Baghdad. Before the end of the Arabs was going out. medical writers, and practitio- Abbasid empire there were hos- Europe, meanwhile, had long ners of the first order. pitals - some with special librar- since entered her dark ages. The ies and courses for medical stu- With the Renaissance came the monasteries, the few centers of great revival of interest in classi- dents - in every major city of the learning, preserved some of the realm. They were divided into cal learning. The Greek writings classical writings and dispensed revived interest in science. An separate sections for men and a strange mixture of alchemy, efficient thermometer, the mi- women, each with a complex of remedies embalmed in the clas- croscope, taking the pulse, clini- wards - for internal medicine, sical texts and, in cases of dire cal teaching of medicine, even surgery, orthopedics, diseases of need, fervent prayers. In addi- reasonably sophisticated facial the eye and convalescent rooms tion, in scattered spots in Europe plastic surgery were some of the - and a hierarchy of chief physi- a spark of science, lit from the contributions of the age. cians, heads of the various de- sinking light of the East, smol- The era of the Industrial Revolu- partments, orderlies and nurses. dered on. tion saw improvements in pub- Before the disintegration of One was Salerno, near Naples, lic health such as the licensing the Abbasid empire, Arab sci- whose embryo medical school, of midwives, increased interest ence had made its last significant influenced at first by a few clas- in the health of mothers and advances. The indiscriminate sical texts, was revolutionized by children, the compulsory reg- reverence for past authorities, in the coming of Constantine the istration of births, deaths, and science as well as in philosophy, African. An Arab physician born cases of contagious disease. By that was to be the curse of me- in Carthage, he eventually came the 19th century the existence of dieval Europe, was stifling Arab to Salerno under the patronage bacteria had finally found cre- intellect, and the brilliant light of the Norman conqueror Rob- dence, laying the foundation 39 for the knowledge of the nature of infection, and Lebanon, meanwhile, was ruled by a man friendly other revolutionary developments in medicine took to Muhammad Ali, the Emir Bashir Al-Shihabi. Tol- place. One was the use of anesthesia, which reduced erant and open to new ideas, in 1806, he had him- the necessity for speed in operations and permitted self and his family vaccinated against smallpox and more careful work. Another was the discovery of encouraged others to do likewise. In 1813-1816 the the nature of sepsis - then the rule, not the excep- plague raged through Lebanon. Bashir ordered a tion, in hospitals - and of effective antiseptics. Be- special fund set aside for isolation of the sick in spe- fore, surgeons had hesitated to operate even with cial quarters set up outside the towns, set up road- anesthesia, for fear of a fatal infection. The last of the th th blocks and prohibited the holding of markets and 19 and the beginning of the 20 century brought in immunizations against disease, surgery of the brain fairs. and heart, improved plastic surgery, the use of X- Once when Bashir became seriously ill, Muham- rays, drugs, more specialization, and great govern- mad Ali sent Clot to care for him. On his return, ment interest in public health. Clot took with him five promising Lebanese youths After the Abbasids - first under the Mamelukes, to study at Qasr Al-Ayni; they returned to be Leba- then under the Ottoman Turks, who defeated the non’s first modern doctors. It was also the repercus- Mamelukes, Arab science had suffered a quick de- sions of Muhammad Ali’s modernization in Egypt cline and a long stagnation. On July 1, 1798, Napo- that introduced modern medicine into Syria. While leon landed at Alexandria in a bid to cut the Brit- campaigning there his son, Ibrahim Pasha, sent ish lifeline to India. He failed, but in the attempt he back some bright Syrian boys to study at the medi- brought the East and the West face to face. Among cal school and they also returned to practice in their the troops that the Ottoman Turks sent to repel him country. was the illiterate son of an Albanian tobacco mer- chant, Muhammad Ali, risen to officer on the staff In conclusion, Arab civilization has played an in- of the Turkish governor of Egypt. When the gover- valuable role in preserving the continuity of sci- nor left, Muhammad Ali stayed - with a picked regi- entific progress. Its greatest contribution was that ment of Albanian guards under him. In two years, it was collected in critical moments for humanity, he was master of Egypt. when the numerous cultural barbarians have de- He built canals, schools and factories. He founded a stroyed the world’s cultural heritage. Rescuing the ministry of education, a civil service, and a navy, and supreme books of ancient civilizations, Arabs, un- he introduced cotton from the Sudan, imported an like many conquerors, have shown an objective re- army of foreign advisers, military and professional spect for the human search for knowledge. These and educational, and sent Egyptians out to England, books were protected on Arab soil and translated Italy, Austria, and France to be educated. And last into many languages, building the foundation of but not least, with the help of Dr. Antoine Clot - modern medicine. better known as “Clot Bey” - he founded the Arab world’s first modern school of medicine in Cairo, The majority of this article was first published by Leslie Abu Za’bal, later known as Qasr Al-Ayni, in 1827. Farmer in 1969. Health:

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 60. Estimates vary, but experts suggest that as many as 30 million people around the world may have Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most Alzheimer’s disease is named af- er’s disease. The third is the loss common cause of dementia ter Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, of connections between nerve among older people. Dementia Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes cells (neurons) in the brain. is the loss of cognitive function- in the brain tissue of a woman Although we still don’t know ing - thinking, remembering, who had died of an unusual how the Alzheimer’s disease and reasoning - and behavioral mental illness. Her symptoms abilities, to such an extent that it included memory loss, language process begins, it seems likely interferes with a person’s daily problems, and unpredictable be- that damage to the brain starts life and activities. Dementia havior. After she died, he exam- a decade or more before prob- ranges in severity from the mild- ined her brain and found many lems become evident. During est stage, when it is just begin- abnormal clumps (now called the preclinical stage of Alzheim- ning to affect a person’s func- amyloid plaques) and tangled er’s disease, people are free of tioning, to the most severe stage, bundles of fibers (now called symptoms but toxic changes are when the person must depend neurofibrillary tangles). Plaques taking place in the brain. Abnor- completely on others for basic and tangles in the brain are two mal deposits of proteins form activities of daily living. of the main features of Alzheim- amyloid plaques and tau tangles 41

throughout the brain, and once- tors. Because people differ in cess begins years before the first healthy neurons begin to work their genetic make-up and life- symptoms. The loss of neurons less efficiently. Over time, neu- style, the importance of any one spreads in a somewhat predict- rons lose their ability to function of these factors in increasing or able pattern to other regions of and communicate with each oth- decreasing the risk of develop- the brains. By the late stage of er, and eventually they die. ing Alzheimer’s may differ from the disease, the brain has shrunk person to person. significantly. Before long, the damage spreads to a nearby structure in the brain Less than 1% of the time, Al- Researchers are focused on the called the hippocampus, which zheimer’s is caused by specific role of two proteins: is essential in forming memo- genetic changes that virtually • Plaques: Beta-amyloid is a ries. As more neurons die, affect- guarantee a person will develop leftover fragment of a larger ed brain regions begin to shrink. the disease. These rare occur- protein. When these frag- By the final stage of Alzheim- rences usually result in disease ments cluster together, they er’s, damage is widespread, and onset in middle age. appear to have a toxic effect brain tissue has shrunk signifi- The exact causes of Alzheimer’s on neurons and to disrupt cantly. disease aren’t fully understood, cell-to-cell communication. What Causes Alzheimer’s but at its core are problems with These clusters form larger de- brain proteins that fail to func- posits called amyloid plaques, Scientists don’t yet fully under- tion normally, disrupt the work which also include other cel- stand what causes Alzheimer’s of brain cells (neurons) and un- lular debris. disease, but it has become in- leash a series of toxic events. creasingly clear that it devel- • Tangles: Tau proteins play Neurons are damaged, lose con- ops because of a complex se- a part in a neuron’s internal nections to each other and even- ries of events that take place in support and transport sys- tually die. the brain over a long period of tem to carry nutrients and time. It is likely that the causes The damage most often starts other essential materials. In include some mix of genetic, in the region of the brain that Alzheimer’s disease, tau pro- environmental, and lifestyle fac- controls memory, but the proteins change shape and organize themselves into struc- Scientists are learning why that may reduce the risk of Al- tures called neurofibrillary these symptoms occur and are zheimer’s include the following: tangles. The tangles disrupt studying new treatments-drug • Exercise regularly the transport system and are and non-drug-to manage them. toxic to cells. Treating behavioral symptoms • Eat a diet of fresh produce, Treating Alzheimer’s Disease often makes people with Al- healthy oils and foods low in zheimer’s more comfortable and saturated fat Alzheimer’s disease is complex, makes their care easier for care- • Follow treatment guidelines and it is unlikely that any one givers. to manage high blood pres- intervention will be found to Slowing, Delaying, or delay, prevent, or cure it. That’s sure, diabetes and high cho- Preventing Alzheimer’s lesterol why current approaches in treat- Disease ment and research focus on sev- • If you smoke, ask your doctor eral different aspects, including Alzheimer’s disease is not a pre- for help to quit smoking helping people maintain mental ventable condition. However, a function, managing behavioral number of lifestyle risk factors Studies have shown that pre- symptoms, and slowing or de- for Alzheimer’s can be modified. served thinking skills later in life laying the symptoms of disease. Evidence suggests that changes and a reduced risk of Alzheim- er’s disease are associated with Managing Behavioral in diet, exercise and habits — participating in social events, Symptoms steps to reduce the risk of car- diovascular disease — may also reading, playing board games, Common behavioral symptoms lower your risk of developing creating art, playing an instru- of Alzheimer’s include sleep- Alzheimer’s disease and other ment, and other activities that lessness, agitation, wandering, disorders that cause dementia. require mental and social en- anxiety, anger, and depression. Heart-healthy lifestyle choices gagement. Hi Tech: 43

Transforming Supertankers into Sources of Renewable Energy

Today, at any given time, there are more than 10,000 oil tankers making their way across the world’s oceans. Their combined cargo, approximately 3.8 billion barrels of crude oil, is the fuel which powers our modern lives, and the source material for everything from plastic goods to chemicals of an almost infinite variety.

The oil tanker is perhaps one of are expected to play a major role down. This begs the question the most iconic symbols of man’s in the world’s energy mix for the – What will happen to some of industrial progress. Among long-term, there is no denying these super massive oil tankers these ocean giants are some of that our deep reliance on oil as they retire from service? What the largest man-made objects and gas for almost every aspect use can they have for mankind ever created, and without these of life is slowly changing. This, when they have reached the end gigantic vessels, our lives as we in turn, means that the growth of their operational lives? know it would be forced to grind in construction of these giants to a halt. And while hydrocarbons of the sea will eventually slow A growing number of futurists Feasibility tests in a laboratory setting have shown the huge displacement that oil tankers generate would help to ensure they remain buoyant.

and forward-looking industrial engineers believe oil wells and pipelines on the sea bed have special that old oil tankers can be rehabilitated and trans- chambers cut through their hulls, known as moon formed into sources of clean, renewable energy. pools, which allow submersible vehicles to be low- Some engineers believe it is possible to use the enor- ered safely into the ocean. On choppy seas, the wa- mous hulls of oil tankers to create floating power ter levels in these moon pools can move up and stations that can convert ocean swells into electric- down as waves pass along the length of the ship. ity. While this plan to create the world’s first “wave- This in turn can change the air pressure inside the ships” may seem far-fetched at first glance, detrac- chamber above the pool of seawater as it rises and tors should be reminded that the technology and falls, which works like a giant piston. Future wave- engineering-knowhow currently exists to create this ships would have turbines placed at the top of the dream into reality. The only remaining requirement chamber that are driven by the air as it is pulled is a bit of ambition and bold support – either from back and forth by the water. These turbines could national governments or the oil sector itself. then be placed in columns all down the length of an oil tanker. As Managing Director of ShipEco Marine, Andrew Deaner is a believer in the possibility of “wave- Feasibility tests in a laboratory setting have shown ships” being utilized on a commercial scale. “The the huge displacement that oil tankers generate current problem with most wave energy projects would help to ensure they remain buoyant. De- is that they are fixed in place, close to the shore so pending on the hull size, a tanker could have a ca- they can be connected to the electricity grid. This pacity to produce between 10 and 30 megawatts of isn’t necessarily where the best waves are. With a electricity. A very large tanker could have up to 35 ship you are mobile, so you can move to the edge of moon pools, each 20m in diameter. low-pressure weather systems where the waves are The technology needed to do this is not impossible bigger and there is more energy,” he said in a recent to create. In fact, it already exists. In the 1970s, the explanation of how these proposed waveships may Japan Marine Science and Technology Center built be utilized. a boat shaped buoy that used air turbines at the Transforming a supertanker into an environmen- top of 22 bottomless chambers cut into the hull. tally friendly mobile power station draws on other But tests of the vessel, which was anchored in the areas of the oil industry for its inspiration. Div- Sea of Japan, showed its ability to absorb energy ing support vessels for installing and repairing from the waves was “disappointing.” More recent- 45

sees these giant ships becoming floating, self-sustainable factories by putting the electricity they produce to immediate use. “We are looking at making products onboard so we are not tied to any electricity grid connection,” he says. “We are looking at producing fresh water – we think we could make somewhere between 18,000 and 36,000 tons a day before bringing it ashore. We could also make hydrogen or liquid nitrogen, which we could sell to industry.” However, not everyone is con- A proposed 3D model of a repurposed oil tanker. vinced by the idea. Stephen Salter, a leading wave energy expert at the University of Edin- ly, however, engineering giant generated is many times greater burgh who invented one of the Siemens has developed a more than can be produced in coastal early wave energy devices com- efficient “hydroair” turbine that areas, which is a completely dif- monly known as Salter’s Duck, can turn the oscillating flow of ferent approach to wave energy. air inside a water filled chamber says air turbines may struggle The project has already received into electricity. Another firm, to cope with the wide range of the backing of the UK govern- called Ocean Energy, has also flow speeds caused by natural ment, which funded some of built buoys that use a similar waves on the ocean. He also the feasibility studies and scale principle that are being tested worries about how resilient an model tests. These have shown in the Atlantic Ocean. oil tanker would be on the high that tankers can be modified seas with holes cut in its hull. Like many other wave ener- to create moon pools without gy devices, these systems are compromising their strength In addition to creating energy, mounted on platforms that are and stability. The next chal- a Norwegian company called moored in place and so rely upon lenge would be getting hold of EnviroNor is developing tech- the weather at a single spot in a suitable ship. Second-hand oil nology it hopes can be used to the ocean to generate sufficient tankers are not cheap and even convert oil tankers into mobile waves. Wave energy generators an ageing, relatively small ship waste water treatment plants. also need to be able to transmit can cost millions of dollars on These offshore treatment plants the electricity they produce back the open market. could then be sent to cities to shore, and so need to be close around the world that are strug- The number of large oil tank- to the coast so they can be con- gling with water shortages. ers being scrapped reached re- nected through cables. EnviroNor say a single tanker cord levels in 2018, with more could treat the waste water Some, however, believe this is than 100 vessels being sent for limiting the potential of wave from a city of 250,000 inhabit- demolition. Converting these power. They say that putting ants. Mooring these converted vessels into waveships could be oscillating air flow turbines tankers alongside wind farms, a tempting alternative to scrap- above moon pools on board they could also use renewable ping them. ships could allow them to chase energy to desalinate water for storms around the oceans to get Deaner’s vision goes beyond coastal cities. the best waves. Out on the open simply turning these ships into ocean where unimpeded winds power stations where the energy can generate larger waves, the will be stored onboard in expen- Portions of this story were sourced amount of energy that can be sive, heavy batteries. Instead, he from a BBC article by Richard Gray. The Well Diggers of Old Kuwait

As part of an effort to shed light on the traditional Water wells, or Al-Jleeb, were considered one of the most professions, crafts, and customs of Old Kuwait, significant necessities of old The Kuwaiti Digest presents a new series of Kuwaiti households because of articles which aim to provide a historical context the role they played for matters for young Kuwaitis in the 21st century who may such as bathing, drinking, and washing utensils. The majority be interested in learning more about Kuwait’s of water wells inside the city history. contained a high salinity content and used to be known as The first article in this new series focuses on the Al-Kharij water, except for very well diggers of Old Kuwait, who had the critically limited areas with low salinity important role of ensuring fresh water could be waters used for farming. Water came out at a depth ranging be- accessible in a harsh desert environment where no tween three to ten ba’as (1 ba’a other overland water sources existed. was approximately 2 meters, 47 and this unit of measurement varied by region). The majority of the Sharq area of Kuwait was famous for its proximity to water at the land surface, while the Mirgab area and a number of areas in Qibla were noted for the depth of their water. A number of Kuwaitis specialized in digging wells, while some were famous for pre- cisely and rapidly carrying out their work. Usually, two people dug up the well – one of them to dig and the other to extract mud from the well through a drum fixed with a rope, carrying it away from the hole. According to a number of sources and written material associated with this profession in Old Kuwait, many well diggers were blind. In terms of work, the well was dug up by using Al-Heeb and Al-Sakheen, until its depth reached almost one and a half meters below the water level. Then, the water would be cleaned and the Al-Astad would start building a wall of rocks around it approximately one meter in diameter. The process of building the wall is known as Al-Tawy, and this was a careful and exhaust- ing task, as the space for the Al-Astad’s movement was very limited; in addition, the irregu- around three to ten days, ac- well, which was a wall above larity of the rocks used in the cording to the type of soil. A the ground surface approxi- building process added to the number of well diggers were mately one meter tall. The di- complexity of the process. The famous for digging up the well ameter of the wells were ap- well walls used to be built in in one or two days. Well walls proximately one meter, after sandy areas, especially in the were built with large sea rocks, building the wall using rocks Sharq area, so that the walls connected together starting which were approximately would not collapse and cause from the well base to the top. 25cm thick. concealment or backfilling of Cement was not used, but in- The types of soil differ from the well. In the Qibla area, the stead rocks were placed on top one area to the other, which majority of wells were built of each other, as the rock was reflects the ease or difficulty of without walls due to the pres- placed on the two rocks in the digging the well and building ence of the strong soil there. row below it, and so on. This its wall. If the land was solid, The process of digging the method is called mokhowlafa. it was difficult to dig and re- well and building its wall took Also, a “neck” was built for the quired greater effort and lon- ger time, but it was easier to completing wells within one or Al-Tanoor (mud oven) in its build its wall. But if the land two days. He used to complete shape. The Al-Astad would was sandy, the sand and mud the work in a perfect manner start building its foundation, would continue falling from during such a short period, as- which was normally wide with each side while digging the sisted by his brother. The wage a diameter of two meters or well, which might lead some- for digging up the well was ap- more. The Al-Astad would start times to backfilling a big part proximately one Rupee at the narrowing it down gradually of the well after reaching the beginning of the last century, while building the wall, until well bottom and coming out of which gradually increased un- the building might reach the the water. This would require til it reached ten Rupees in the ground level, at which point, starting the work again. The 1940s. The house owner used the diameter of its opening accumulation or collection of to receive the well after ensur- would be around half a meter. water at the bottom of the wall ing that the water level was This method of building gives required the place to be dry to reached, and then he would strength to the drain wall and a certain extent. That forced hand over the wage to the dig- its upper part might look like the Al-Astad and his workers ger. The deeper the depth of to extract large quantities of the well, the more the digging the roof of a dome, where the water from the well as soon as fee would increase. rocks are placed on each other, possible in order to be able to giving it additional strength The Al-Astad or the well dig- build the foundation. and preventing it from falling ger would also build the drain, down. Among the most famous well which did not differ to a great diggers at the beginning of the extent from the well in terms This information was sourced last century in the city was a of digging and building; how- from The Old Crafts, Trades, and blind man known as Dhabeeb ever, it was wider. As for build- Commercial Activities in Kuwait Al-Azmi, who was famous for ing its walls, it resembled by Mohamad Abdul Hadi Jamal. 49

KOC rig worker in the field 1961