June 23, 2021 Vol. LXXVI, No. 24 a weekly Aramco publication for employees
This is of course made possible by our employees, who continue to make a difference by safely and reliably delivering energy to the world. — Amin Nasser
Strong and attractive investment Aramco issues inaugural
international SukukSee page 2
Aramco closes An ancient $12.4 billion and infrastructure deal magnificent with global investor dam consortium See page 5 See page 6 June 23, 2021 the arabian sun 2 company news
Aramco issues inaugural international Sukuk pursuant to its International Sukuk Program Last week, Aramco announced it • Aramco raises $6 billion “The success of the transaction is a had successfully raised $6 billion through the world’s largest strong endorsement from the global following the sale of U.S. dollar-de- investment community of our lead- nominated Shariah compliant securi- U.S.-dollar corporate Sukuk ing position in the industry, and our ties to leading institutional investors. ability to deliver on our long-term • Demand was 20 times business strategy. The issuance at- The issuance comprised three the initial targeted is- tracted more than 100 new investors tranches of senior unsecured Sukuk suance size, reflecting across the globe,” Al-Dabbagh add- trust certificates issued under Aram- strong investor appetite ed. co’s newly established Internation- al Sukuk Program, with the funds The transaction settled on Thurs- raised allocated for general corpo- day, June 17, with the Sukuk ad- rate purposes. ther evidence of Aramco’s unique mitted to the official list of the U.K. We are very pleased value proposition, which is under- Financial Conduct Authority, for The three tranches included: written by its operational and fi- trading on the London Stock Ex- with the global • $1 billion maturing in 2024, car- nancial resilience. This is, of course, change’s main market. rying a profit rate of 0.946% made possible by our employees, investment • $2 billion maturing in 2026, car- who continue to make a difference community’s rying a profit rate of 1.602% by safely and reliably delivering • $3 billion maturing in 2031, car- energy to the world,” Amin Nasser response to Aramco’s rying a profit rate of 2.694%. stated.
first international dollar Saudi Aramco president and CEO Khalid H. Al-Dabbagh, senior vice Amin Nasser, said: “We are very president of Finance, Strategy and Sukuk, which pleased with the global investment Development, said: “We are delight- attracted demand 20 community’s response to Aram- ed with the strong reception for our co’s first international dollar Sukuk, inaugural international Sukuk offer- times the initial which attracted demand 20 times ing that led to the largest order book the initial targeted issuance size. ever recorded globally for a dol- targeted issuance size. lar-denominated Sukuk transaction, “The outcome demonstrates fur- with orders exceeding $60 billion. — Amin Nasser The success of the
With more than the company increased transaction is a strong the offering, issuing endorsement from the $60 billion the order book was the $6 billion global investment largest ever in history because of record- breaking demand community of our leading position in the Sukuk issuance Sukuk issuance attracted more than industry, and our divided between ability to deliver on our 100 3 tranches new investors from 3, 5, and 10 years. long-term business regions worldwide strategy. — Khalid H. Al-Dabbagh
Your voice A search for successful solutions as we swim to safe shores We are still going through multi- What are we doing as individuals? home and rediscovering ourselves. La- ple stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, The most important thing we have tent talent swelled as we practiced hob- trying to overcome it and swim to the learned is that the coronavirus is spread bies that we missed. Family relations shore of safety. Each stage requires a by people in close contact with each were strengthened. Let us be positive, method — a deliberate plan with al- other. Coughing, sneezing, and talking cooperate, and be optimistic. Every day ternatives, and a commitment to abide can spread droplets containing the vi- we look at the official statistics of those by the instructions and guidance of the rus. We all love communication, meet- infected with this dreaded virus. We government. ings, and gatherings, but we have had are saddened to find the numbers in to replace them with new behaviors some areas are high, but we also need The Ministry of Health and the Minis- and habits, e.g., wearing masks and so- to ignore false rumors and draw infor- try of the Interior, among others, have cial distancing. mation from the official government raised the level of awareness, guiding sources. We should also not neglect the and educating us, and providing health The phase of lifting the ban com- other side of the statistics: the number and food security. Subsequently, we still pletely without restrictions has begun, of recoveries. By Zakria H. Darwish have not passed the stage of danger, and life is gradually beginning to return Dhahran as we begin to return cautiously after to normal. This is a happy thing, but do Aramco has interacted a lot with gov- [email protected] experiencing lockdowns and curfews. not let us forget what we have learned ernment agencies, supporting and con- Each stage carries difficulties, require- — return with caution and adhere to all tributing to raising awareness among ments, and concessions for the sake of health precautions. We should not go its employees, contractors, and their security for all. We are all responsible, out unless it is absolutely necessary. families. We return to the country with Your Voice reflects the thoughts and opinions of the writer, and not necessarily those of the pub- and can make a difference. caution. Let’s be appreciative of the cur- lication. Many of us benefited from sitting at rent situation ... and stay safe. the arabian sun June 23, 2021 company news 3
Yanbu’ Refinery receives top award from European quality management group
Recognised for Excellence 6 star Awarded to: SAUDI ARAMCO YANBU REFINERY
April 2021 This certificate remains valid for 3 years.
Russell Longmuir CEO, EFQM
SN: R4E2105010911
1 / 1
By Fareed Y. Enani and Ahmed A. Basodan of impactful systems and programs tion, cybersecurity, environment con- and certificates, including eight com- across the “eight fundamental concepts trol, energy, safety, and quality. These pany awards: two President Excel- The Yanbu’ Refinery Department (YRD) of excellence” in the EFQM Model. strategies helped YRD to improve its lence Awards; two President Safety has achieved “6 Star Recognition” from These included: adding value for cus- results and achieve satisfaction, Alsha- Excellence Awards; two President the European Foundation for Quality tomers; creating a sustainable future; mi said. Environmental Excellence Awards; an Management (EFQM), the first orga- developing organizational capability; Exceptional Safety Award; and a Re- nization to reach such a level in Saudi harnessing creativity and innovation; verse Engineering and 3-D Printing Arabia. leading with vision, inspiration and in- International standards Award. Nationally, three awards were tegrity; managing with agility; succeed- The journey began in 2017. Milestones received: a National Safety Coun- The award recognizes organizations ing through the talent of people; and included ensuring the YRD manage- cil Award; a King Abdulaziz Quality that have achieved an “outstanding lev- sustaining outstanding results. ment system was meeting internation- Award; and a King Khaled Sustain- el of sustainable achievement,” accord- al standards by pursuing ISO certifica- ability Award. YRD received 15 inter- ing to the Brussels-based not-for-profit tions in different fields. YRD has now national awards: Two Green Apple member foundation, which was estab- An “infinite journey” achieved 19 ISO certifications over the Awards; an Association of Energy En- lished more than 30 years ago to pro- Abdulatif S. Alshami, manager of YRD, past three-and-a-half years. Other mile- gineer Award; an Advancement Lev- mote business excellence. said excellence was an “infinite jour- stones involved listening to and imple- el in the Lighthouse Award; a Global ney” of continuous improvement ef- menting employees’ and contractors’ Benchmarking Award; a Global Water forts. “Going through organizational suggestions to improve the organiza- Conservation Award; a Global Inno- Rigorous assessment assessments acts as an eye opener for tion’s operations, and benchmarking vation in Water Technology Award; a YRD underwent a rigorous virtual as- more areas for improvement, which with best-in-class outfits in different Green World Award; an EFQM Com- sessment over four consecutive days, helps YRD to enhance its management fields to learn and exchange experi- mitted to Sustainability Award; a Cor- during which assessors reviewed doc- system and its effectiveness,” Alsha- ences. YRD went through a sequence porate Social Responsibility Excellence uments and interviewed individuals mi said. He added that this journey of of corporate, national, and internation- Award; an Environmental Manag- to analyze how effectively the organi- transformation became the desire for al assessments to achieve results. er Award; a Middle East Oil and Gas zation performs in the delivery of its every employee in the refinery, which Show (MEOS) Energy Award; a For- strategic objectives. YRD demonstrated was shown in their commitment to Op- tress Cybersecurity Award; an Energy a strong commitment to its sustainable erational Excellence. YRD had clear Prestigious excellence Manager Today Award; a Verdantix best practices that distinguished it from strategies that included innovation, so- Since 2017, YRD has now won more Award; and now the EFQM Recogni- its peers through showcasing an array cial responsibility, digital transforma- than 20 prestigious excellence awards tion for 6 Star Excellence Certificate.
Traffic safety awareness conducted for SINOPEC contractors Aramco has organized a traffic safety campaign in Tanajib, in the northeast of Saudi Arabia, for construction con- tractors from the Chinese Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC).
The Downstream Pipelines Division (DPD) of the Tanajib Gas Plant Project Department (TGPPD) recently con- ducted a “Vehicle and Traffic Safety Campaign” in the Tanajib Area and Pipelines Corridors over a three-week period. The goal was to improve traf- fic safety awareness and achieve zero motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).
Light-duty vehicle inspections. Heavy-duty equipment inspection. Safe driving behaviors “This is an Admin Area initiative and we need to have a big role in Assessing skills, regulations also conducted at the job site to im- was launched by SINOPEC, com- the implementation of the actions DPD and SINOPEC site supervisors prove the efficiency of the contractor’s bined with a safety stand-down to enhance safe driving behaviors carried out joint safety inspections on emergency rescue team response and toolbox talk on traffic safety con- and reduce MVAs to zero for all con- vehicles and equipment at the con- to verify mastery of company traffic ducted by DPD site supervisors, in tractors,” said Bassam M. Al Dossa- struction site, focusing on licenses, regulations and safety requirements. which traffic regulations, company ry, manager of the TGPPD. This was routine inspection records, tire pat- and contractor safety cultures, and the starting point, according to the terns, and windshield wipers. the traffic safety responsibilities of DPD, to conduct the contractor safety Safety stand-down toolbox talk supervisors and drivers were dis- awareness initiative. A traffic accident emergency drill was A “Traffic Safety with Me” event cussed. June 23, 2021 the arabian sun 4 company news
Harold (Hal) Fogelquist, former SVP of Industrial Relations By Dr. Jan Fogelquist plored the cultures, learned the languag- Hopkins Aramco Healthcare. es, and befriended many people. The Fo- Harold (Hal) T. Fogelquist died on May gelquists were open-minded, inquisitive, 12, 2020, after a long, fulfilling life. He very generous, and loved learning, and His good fortune was 96 years old. He passed away with modeled a sense of justice and a commit- Hal’s career included work with Italian dignity and love next to his wife, Mari- ment to others to all they met, as well as and later Dutch engineers in the early lyn, whom he referred to as “the beauti- to their four children, Jan, Gary, Tom, and 1950s designing the Abqaiq power plant ful woman to whom I’m married.” They Lindsay. and other projects. He oversaw utility would have celebrated their 72nd wed- plants and pipeline operations, Northern ding anniversary this month. For her part, Marilyn was a lively mem- Area Producing, Corporate Planning and ber of the community, and she worked in Administration, and Industrial Relations. Hal served as senior vice president of the counseling clinic at the Saudi Aramco In 1964, he was sent for a year to study Industrial Relations from 1978 to 1981, Medical Services Organization (SAMSO). Arabic full time (and marveled at his when he retired after 34 years of service As their daughter, I worked as a physician good fortune) at the Middle East Center to the company. in SAMSO, which later became Johns for Arab Studies in Shemlan, a mountain village in Lebanon near Beirut. He also had a two-year interlude dertook self-study of classical music and Magna cum laude in 1971-1972 as assistant general filled the family home with the sounds of He grew up in Spokane, Wash- manager in Aramco’s New York Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart. He enrolled in ington, and studied electrical office. He expressed his gratitude long distance Shakespearean literature engineering at the University of often at having had many fasci- courses, which he took while his children Washington through the U.S. Na- nating experiences, working with were running about the house. He was vy’s V-12 program during World cherished colleagues and friends an enthusiastic, elegant skier and contin- War II, graduating magna cum throughout his rich, diverse ca- ued skiing until he was 86. He also loved laude in 1945. During the war, he reer. hiking and bicycling with friends and was stationed in Key West, Flori- family, including his five grandchildren. da, as an officer on a patrol craft In 1981, Hal and Marilyn He and Marilyn often took family to the submarine chaser before marrying moved back to Seattle and start- ballet, opera, theater, and music perfor- Marilyn Jean Hieber and embark- ed a new life, which involved mances. ing on a career with Aramco in new commitments and adven- 1947. tures, making new friends, and He treasured the daily ritual of bringing reconnecting with old. his wife breakfast in bed, which she will Hal’s career with the company The June 28, 1978, edition of The Arabian Sun miss along with his loving, witty compan- took the couple to Italy, the Neth- (Vol. XXXIV, No. 26) announcing Fogelquist’s promotion ionship. She and all the family remember erlands, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, to senior vice president of Industrial Relations. Music, books, skiing Hal, Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle with grati- and New York, where they ex- Hal was an avid reader. He un- tude and love!
Photographic memory In this early 1940s image, a Saudi employee tightens the wellhead of Dammam No. 15 (initial production: September 7, 1939, at 1,625 barrels). The well was located in Dhahran within the grounds of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, near the mosque. (Photographer unknown) Keep your guard up There is no better defense than vigilance. the arabian sun June 23, 2021 company news 5 Aramco closes $12.4 billion infrastructure deal with global investor consortium The agreement between Aramco and pose any restrictions on Aramco’s actual R. Blair Thomas, EIG’s chairman and an international investor consortium to crude oil production volumes, which are CEO, said, “We believe this is the mar- buy 49% of the company’s pipelines for subject to production decisions made by quee infrastructure transaction globally $12.4 billion has successfully closed. the Kingdom. and we are pleased to see that so many leading international investors agree Aramco and the consortium, which with us.” consists of a broad cross section of inves- Strong investor confidence tors from North America, Asia, and the in the company Middle East — including U.S.-based EIG Amin Nasser, Saudi Aramco president Global Energy Partners and Abu Dhabi’s and CEO, said, “We are pleased to con- Mubadala Investment Company — an- clude this transaction with the global nounced the successful closing of the ac- consortium. The interest we have re- quisition of 49% of Aramco Oil Pipelines ceived from investors shows strong Company (AOPC) on June 19. confidence in our operations and the It [this transaction] is long-term outlook for our business. It is a significant a significant milestone that reflects the Compelling investment value of our assets and paves the way opportunity milestone that forward for our portfolio optimization The long-term investment by the con- strategy. We plan to continue to explore sortium underscores the compelling reflects the value of opportunities to capitalize on our indus- investment opportunity presented by try leading capabilities and attract the Aramco’s globally significant pipeline our assets and paves right type of investment to Saudi Ara- This transaction utilizes assets, the company’s robust long-term bia.” our world-class outlook, and the attractiveness of Sau- the way forward for di Arabia to institutional investors. The pipeline infrastructure transaction — one of the world’s larg- our portfolio A new benchmark for est energy infrastructure deals — rep- optimization strategy. infrastructure deals to create additional resents a continuation of Aramco’s strat- Abdulaziz M. Al-Gudaimi, senior vice value for our egy to unlock the potential of its asset — Amin Nasser president of Corporate Development, base and maximize value for its share- said, “The interest we received for this shareholders, holders. It also reinforces Aramco’s role deal is evidence of continued confidence as a catalyst for attracting significant leaseback agreement for Aramco’s stabi- in our company from institutional inves- reinforcing our foreign investment into the Kingdom. lized crude oil pipelines network. AOPC tors and sets a new benchmark for in- will receive a tariff payable by Aramco frastructure transactions globally. This company’s resilience for stabilized crude oil flows, backed by transaction utilizes our world-class pipe- 25-year lease and minimum volume commitments. Aramco line infrastructure to create additional and ability to adapt in a leaseback agreement continues to hold a 51% majority stake value for our shareholders, reinforcing rapidly changing As part of the transaction, which was in AOPC, and retains full ownership our company’s resilience and ability to first announced in April 2021, AOPC and and operational control of its pipeline adapt in a rapidly changing business en- business environment. Aramco entered into a 25-year lease and network. The transaction does not im- vironment.” — Abdulaziz M. Al-Gudaimi
• The consortium comprises a cross section of renowned investors from North America, Asia, and the Middle East, including U.S.-based EIG Global Energy Partners and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company • The announcement seals one of the world’s largest energy infrastructure deals • This landmark transaction reflects progress in Aramco’s portfolio optimization to unlock value and maximize shareholder returns • The major injection of foreign capital reinforces Aramco’s energy leadership position and Saudi Arabia’s appeal to prominent international institutional investors.
Scan QR code to Al-Hasa/’Udhailiyah 013-533-6161 know more. Sunday to Thursday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Dhahran/Ras Tanura/Abqaiq 800-305-4444, option #4 Sunday to Thursday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stay safe, stay home, save your time. Call the pharmacy for any medication inquiry. Our pharmacists are ready to serve you. Virtual Medication Management Counseling Service This service strives to provide virtual, secure, face-to-face visits. Have your medication questions answered, get your re lls extended, and receive visual advice from your pharmacist, all from the comfort of your home. June 23, 2021 the arabian sun 6 this and that
let’s catch a phish IT does it again with Rafiq A. Khurshid clicking on ‘Report as Spam’ first The May phishing email test was a teaser about vigilant and been among the first in the compa- Plans”) travel insurance plans supposedly sent from Com- ny to identify test emails as potential phishing at- • A large, bright red external tag (“PHISHING munity Services. Did you click on the fake offer? tempts. ALERT”) Rafiq A. Khurshid, an IT applications systems spe- Inside knowledge or a hair-trigger finger? The • Odd phrasing (spelling mistakes, including “In- cialist with the Data Leakage Prevention Group in latter, obviously, as the email had all the hallmarks suranse,” “ensuranse,” and “whether,” as well as the Information Protection Department (IPD), was of a phishing email test, including: grammar errors, such as “over 50 plan,” “the plan in no mood to be lured and was the first to report • A suspicious domain (community services … which give you the option … ,” and awkward the email as spam. That is two months in a row
The Information Security Department would like to extend its gratitude 1. Strategy & Market thank you and appreciation to the top three positive performance Admin Areas for Analysis their noticeable efforts in scoring the lowest negative behavior; along with The top 3 2. Exploration the highest positive behavior for the May simulated Phishing Email Test. positive performing 3. Safety & Industrial Such efforts reflect positively on Aramco cybersecurity user behavior and Admin Areas: Security elevates the resilience of the company’s core business. cybersecurity tip of the month Quantum computing’s imminent impact on cybersecurity By Khalid S. Alghamdi
Did you know that current Depending upon the algorithm encryption tools considered inputted into the computer, and impossible to break will become the interaction between the useless with the introduction of computer and its physical revolutionary new quantum environment, quantum comput- computing technology? ing is estimated to be able to process as much as 100 million The word “quantum” means times faster than the fastest the smallest possible discrete supercomputer available now. unit of a physical property. So, it’s theoretically possible for Instead of using defined prop- one to calculate something in erty objects like binary code 200 seconds what a traditional “bits” in traditional computers, computer would have taken quantum computers use quan- 10,000 years to calculate. tum bits, called “qubits.” Classical bits are either “1” or With this advance, a quantum “0.” Qubits have complex num- computer could break most bers ranging from the possibili- encryption on the internet, ty that the bit is a “0” to the exposing vulnerabilities in possibility that it is a “1.” So, a online commerce, by as early as qubit is 0 and 1 and all possible 2025. numbers between 0 and 1.
An ancient and magnificent dam Article and photos by Musherf Alamri of pre-Islamic dams, with the most im- standing structure. It is mostly in good Interestingly, the mortar, in terms pressive being the Al Bint, meaning “a condition, but approximately one-third of texture and quality, used in Al Ban The Khaybar area, 200 km from Me- girl” in Arabic. The dam has a height of of the dam has fallen. Dam is similar to that used in the Marib dina Al Munawarah City, has a number 30 meters and a length of 130 meters of Dam, which was built by the Sabaean The dam is surprisingly easy to access Kingdom within Yemen, according to from Medina-Tabuk highway number an article published in the 1979 edition 15. South of Al Thamad village, people of The Proceedings of the Seminar for can take a 1-km access road leading Arabian Studies. The 1978 edition of Ar- to a valley. At the end, visitors will be amco World stated that the Marib Dam pleasantly surprised by the huge and was built in the seventh century B.C., ancient structure: Dhoum palms and and was maintained until the sixth cen- acacias filling the valley, a small pond, tury A.D. and the landscape covered with lava rocks. Some claim that Al Bint Dam was built in the early Islamic era, and others say it Shirley Kay, in 1977, noted that there was constructed in the third century B.C. are around two dozen ancient dams in the West of Saudi Arabia, clustered Historically, dams have enabled large- around Taif and Khaybar, with the for- scale agriculture in the arid regions. It mal having more. Al Bint Dam is the has puzzled scholars how water was only curved one. retrieved from Al Bint Dam’s reservoir and where was it channeled to.
Legends about Origins Yet, Khaybar is a land of historical Local tradition says that the dam was mysteries as the area contains the Khay- Al Bint Dam is mostly in a good condition, even though approximately one-third of the dam has built by a prince from Yemen as a dow- bar historical village, and Mustatils, fallen. Some claim that it was built in the early Islamic era, and others say it was constructed in the third century B.C. ry for a girl, i.e., the name. which are currently closed to tourism. the arabian sun June 23, 2021 this and that 7 Memory Lane: Looking back at elections, awards, inaugurations, and a chance to win prizes Sixty years ago, both Aramco and Tapline held elections in New York for the two companies’ top leadership. Here is a look back at some of the most important and most interesting articles published in The Arabian Sun over the history of the company.
June 13, 1951 June 23, 1971 June 18, 1986 June 6, 2001 Aramco and tapline elections Aramco World art wins praise New plant at RT refinery Answer a question, win a prize recovers salable sulfur Arabian Sun readers take note: Prizes may await you each month for correctly answering the question that appears in each new issue. Question 1 for June ap- pears today.
Save your Suns for June so you can an- swer questions relating to stories pub- lished this month. Along with a ques- tion, each issue of the Sun will contain a coupon on which to answer that ques- tion. Four questions will be printed re- lating to stories this month.
If you answer all the questions correct- Word has been received from New ly for any given month, you will be eli- York of the recognition by profession- With the first feed of acid gas piped gible for one SR3,000 prize, one SR2,000 Elections involving top officials of the al art circles in the United States of the into the new facility on May 27, the prize, or one of five SR1,000 prizes that Arabian American Oil Company and quality of the graphics carried in Aram- Ras Tanura Refinery sulfur plant began month. the Trans-Arabian Pipeline Co. were an- co World magazine. operation — its dual purpose to recov- nounced in New York on June 7. er salable sulfur from hydrogen sul- Cited in particular were two two-page fide-rich acid gas previously flared at W.S.S. Rodgers was named Chairman spreads appearing in the May-June 1970 the refinery and to reduce atmospher- of the Board of Arabian American, suc- issue of that publication, which was de- ic pollution by eliminating high sulfur ceeding H.D. Collier, who remains as a voted entirely to the subject of the Cru- emission levels in accordance with Me- Director of the Company. sades. teorology and Environmental Protection Administration standards. R.G. Follis was named Chairman of the For its 1971 Annual Award Show, the Board for Trans-Arabian Pipeline, and Society of Publication Designers select- Construction of the plant began in late W.F. Moore, President of Aramco, was ed the photo spreads on pages 12 and 1984 under the auspices of the Ras Tan- elected to the Tapline Board and also 13, which opened the article on the ura Refinery Modernization Projects De- named a member of that company’s ex- Krak des Chevaliers for an Award of Ex- partment, and mechanical completion ecutive committee. cellence, and the original art on pages was achieved this May. 10 and 11, which illustrated a general survey of the Crusades, for an Award of The plant, which incorporates modi- Merit. fied surplus equipment from Berri, has the capacity to produce 300 metric tons of sulfur per day.
Mustatils: Mysterious structures visible from space
25.793376587770574, 39.20170447560932
The valley in which the dam is located contains the Dhoum palms, acacias, and a pond. It has 25.783683526521994, puzzled scholars how water was retrieved from 39.23598882535478 the dam’s reservoir and where it was directed. (Left) 1,000 of these structures are located across 200,000 2km in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, and they are mostly concentrated in Alula and Khaybar governorates. From animal remains found in one of the excavated Mustatils, scientists dated the structures to the sixth millennium B.C., potentially predating the pyramids. (Right) Researchers have concluded that these stone structures are architecturally complex, containing chambers, entranceways. Theories abound for the purposes behind building the Mustatils. (Images from Google Map)
A study published in the April edition are 1,000 of these structures located found in one of the excavated Mus- of Antiquity, a peer-reviewed archae- across 200,000 km2 in the north- tatils, scientists dated the structures ology journal, provided insights on an- west of Saudi Arabia, and they are to the sixth millennium B.C., po- cient, mysterious rock structures, com- mostly concentrated in the Alula tentially predating the pyramids. monly called Mustatils, which means and Khaybar governorates, with the The Mustatils near Khaybar are “rectangle” in Arabic. When observed latter having more than the former. not open to the public; however, from the sky or space, the Mustatils From field work in the Alula and people can explore the aerial views The texture and quality of the mortar used in Al form interesting geometric shapes, Khaybar governorates, researchers via Google maps or similar web- Bint Dam is similar to Marib Dam, which was built essentially composed of rectangles have concluded that these stone sites. After all, this is how the an- by the Sabaean Kingdom. Interestingly, local with angles usually capped by a circle. structures are architecturally com- cients, intentionally or not, made tradition says that the dam was built by a prince Theories abound for the purpos- plex, containing chambers and en- them to be perpetually admired. from Yemen as a dowry for a girl, i.e., the name. es of building the Mustatils, as there tranceways. From animal remains the arabian sun June 23, 2021 8 Memory Lane: Looking back at elections, awards, inaugurations, and a chance to win
prizes see page 7
Going on a road trip? There’s an app for that By Abdullah Y. Al-Hassan and Adam Currie Ghassan G. Abulfaraj, manager of the LPD, said journey management used to Employees and contractors will soon be a manual process that was challeng- have access to a single, unified digital ing to track accurately. “We found it to platform for tracking on- and off-road be less efficient during search and res- vehicle journeys, according to Informa- cue activities with paper records based tion Technology (IT) and the Loss Pre- in different locations, while also being vention Department (LPD). difficult to reference during an emer- gency.” In 2019, company vehicles racked up over 200 million kilometers in work-re- “The SafeTravel solution serves as a lated travel. In an effort to reduce the ‘one-stop shop’ for everything travel risk of drivers becoming lost or strand- related. Through a simple input of data ed, IT and LPD are introducing a new prior to a journey, the entire process SafeTravel journey management sys- can now be automated. This solution tem. is capable of managing approvals pro- cesses, issuing notifications, and auto- The SafeTravel solution, accessible matically escalating a hazardous situa- from mobile devices and workstations, tion to emergency responders.” is a simple-to-use application that inte- within three hours, the trip will auto- Ahead of the safety app rollout, em- grates existing systems, such as auto- matically be classified as an emergency ployees and contractors should always matic vehicle location, an emergency Constant communication and the 911 emergency response center continue to follow the core elements of responder tool, and a geographic infor- A major advantage of SafeTravel is is notified. effective journey management, includ- mation system. its ability to maintain constant commu- ing: nication between the driver and jour- To plan a trip using the SafeTravel • Telling someone where you are trav- ney coordinators. Once a driver begins mobile app, a driver simply accesses the eling to Up-to-date information a trip using the SafeTravel mobile app, app from any iOS device enrolled in the • Using an appropriate vehicle for the Adel S. Al Doulab, manager of the the route is immediately updated onto Enterprise Mobility Program. hazards associated with a trip Area IT Department, said, “By shifting a journey management GIS dashboard. • Staying with your vehicle if you get this process to a digital format, we have lost, it breaks down, or gets stuck created a single, unified platform that is If for some reason a driver is unable Immediate notification • Having your supervisor call 911 able to host accurate electronic records, to reach his or her destination within If a driver faces difficulty in reaching if you are missing for three hours or and provide up-to-date journey infor- an hour of the planned arrival time, his or her destination and requires as- more. mation on travel, while also allowing for alerts are triggered to direct manage- sistance, he or she is able to send an automatic notifications or escalations in ment and journey coordinators. If this immediate notification to a 911 emer- For more info please check the En- case of trips not going as planned.” delay extends to two hours, the system gency center through the tap of a but- terprise Mobility Page at https://sharek. escalates this alert to division head lev- ton. This notification will contain details aramco.com.sa/Orgs/Mobility/Pages/ el. If no response or update is received of the driver, the vehicle, and its exact home.aspx or contact the mobility sup- location. port group [email protected].
The Arabian Sun is a North Admin Building, Room AN-1080, Publishing administrator: Meteb F. Al-Qahtani Articles and coverage can be Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi weekly publication issued C-05A, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Supervisor Content Creation: Jamsheed Din requested through CRM. Aramco) is a joint stock company, with free of charge by the Telephone (013) 876-0374 Editors: William Bradshaw and Todd Williams Correspondence may be addressed to certificate of registration number Corporate Communication Email: [email protected] Editorial staff: Musherf Alamri, Eamonn the editor, North Admin Building, 2052101105, having its principal office Support Department for ISSN: 1319-156X Houston, Scott Baldauf, Dalia Darweesh and Room AN-1080, C-05A. at P.O. Box 5000, Dhahran, Postal Code Saudi Aramco employees. Articles may be reproduced provided Rawan Nasser. 31311, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and The Arabian Sun is credited. Designer: Husam Nasr. with fully paid capital of SAR 60,000,000,000.