SQU Recognized as a LabVIEW Academy
News Round Up
Enterprises Transition to Smart Grid in Oman
Mind Over Matter
SQU Celebrates World Environment Day
News Update
Food for
Thought
Department of Public
RelationsandInformation
SultanQaboosUniversity
Issue 245
View Point
“The Queen of Sciences”
Mohamed Salem Al Ghailani
Editorial Supervision
Humaid Abdullah Al Adwani
Editor in Chief
M.K. Santhosh
Senior Editor
Anisa Al Jabri
Design & Layout
Rashad Al Wahaibi
& Photography Dept., CET
Photography
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle characterised politics the “queen
of the sciences”. Today, the study of politics and research in this field involve attempts to understand human behaviour and international events.
The study of political science qualifies one for employment in addition to
keeping abreast of political developments across the world. Politics or political science is a combination of science and humanities. Such study prepares the graduate for a variety of careers by emphasizing the acquisition
of skills in communication and analysis; and by encouraging independent
thought, tolerance, and informed interest in current affairs. The ability to
define a problem and contribute to its solution is highly valued in a variety
of employment settings, as are skills in writing, research, and evaluation.
A graduate can expect to change jobs a number of times, and even to have
more than one career, and political science is excellent preparation for the
flexibility required in this modern employment market. More specifically,
the study of political science provides background for careers in government at the local, state, and national levels; in international organizations;
journalism; business; and law.
The government provides services in nearly every area of citizens’ lives.
Increased professionalizing of appointments is apparent at government
departments levels. Political Science specialisations such as urban government, public policy, and public administration would be especially valuable
to get placements in different ministries and other public bodies. International businesses and organizations offer a range of careers, with a growing
demand for those who bring with them an understanding of the political
and regulatory environment in which business is done. A career in journalism is focused, on the ability to communicate, especially in writing. Beyond
that, the understanding of society and individuals that a liberal arts education can impart is paramount. This should include course work in such
fields as political science, history, economics, and sociology.
SQU has established a department of Political Science. On the day this announcement was made, the Dean of the College of Economics & Political
Sciences, rightly pointed out that this discipline offers a lot of employment
prospects for Omani youth. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic
missions are examples. Moreover, Political Science prepares students for active citizenship, and train them to become good observers of political behaviour in the country and around the world.
Horizon invites contributions from SQU members of staff and faculty. Contributions in the form of articles,
news, travelogues, stories of unique and interesting experiences, encounters, etc., are welcome. Contributions
may be edited for the sake of clarity and length. Please send your contributions to horizon@squ.edu.om preferably, as MSWord attachments. Authors will be suitably credited.
Horizon is published three times a month by the Department of Public Relations and Information,
Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 50, P.C. 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
Phone: +968 24141045
E-mail: horizon@squ.edu.om
30 June 2012 P2
Fax: +968 24413 391
Website: www.squ.edu.om
News Update
SQU Celebrates World Environment Day
challenges faced by PDO has made it become a world leader in the
area of “enhanced oil recovery”- a position attained through strong
research partnerships, especially with SQU. Dr. Restucci explained
how his company is keenly aware of its environmental responsibilities and the need to operate sustainability with a focus on gas and
energy conservation and efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint.
SQU, represented by the Centre for Environmental Studies & Research (CESAR), celebrated World Environment Day 2012, on 5 June, in association
with the Ministry of Environment & Climate Affairs. The theme for the Day
this year was “Green Economy: Does it Include You?” A seminar discussing
various aspects of green economy was held under the patronage of HE Mohammed bin Khamis Al Araimi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs.
In the opening session of the seminar, Dr. Mushtaque Ahmed, Director of
CESAR gave an overview of the theme for Wold Environment Day and
summarised the activities of the centre in promoting research and awareness on environment related issues in Oman. This was followed by a presentation titled “Towards a Green Economy: PDO’s Approach” delivered by
Dr. Raoul Restucci, Managing Director of PDO. He outlined how the unique
Students Conclude Korea,
China Visits
Within the annual grant from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said,
outstanding students of SQU concluded their annual overseas trips recently. This year, the male students, visited Korea and the female group
toured China. The male group visited Korean University for Sciences
and Technology and other major destinations around. The students
also visited The National Institute for Nuclear Energy Studies of Korea, which is involved in the global project to make clean energy based
on nuclear fusion, working with countries including the US, Japan and
France.
The male students also visited The National Museum of Korea,
which showcases Korean history and art. They also visited a 236m
tall TV tower in Seoul, Village Taekwondo and Heritage Village. The
delegation, headed by Dr. Badr bin Hilal Al Alawi, Dean of Student
Affairs, consisted of 38 students and administrative supervisors.
The Sultanate’s embassy in Beijing received female students of SQU
who visited China as part of the annual students trip. The female student group also consisted of 38 students and a few officials. The team
visited the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Temple of the Sun and the
Great Wall of China.
The second session discussed issues and options related to green
economy and was chaired by Dr. Saif Al Shaksi, National Centre for
Field Research and Environmental Conservation. Mr. Neil Palmer
from National Centre for Excellence in Desalination, Australia, gave
an overview of desalination and green energy in his country. Salah
Al Maawali from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said that
the Small and Medium Enterprises Business Development Centre,
located at Knowledge Oasis Muscat, will focus on setting a “Green
Help Desk” to support entrepreneurs to engage in the emerging green
economy by developing their products and production processes to
promote sustainable development.
Ali Al Kiyumi from the Ministry of Environment chaired the third
session titled “Green economy and environmental management”.
Dr. Hussein Amery from Colorado School of Mines, USA gave at talk
on “water, environmental management and the prospects of a green
economy in the Gulf”. Dr. Mehdi Jaffer from Environment Society of
Oman spoke on the topic “Is green economy the solution? From the
limits of growth to the future we want”. Dr. Hemesiri Kotagama of
SQU spoke about the economics of water management in Oman. An
exhibition shedding light on environmental friendly strategies at different organizations was also held on the sidelines of the event.
Department of Political
Science Established
As per the directives of His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, a Department of Political Sciences has been established in the College of Commerce & Economics at SQU. The name of the College has been changed
to the College of Economics & Political Science. The masters program in
International Relations and Security Studies has been transferred from
the College of Arts & Social Sciences to the College of Economics & Political Sciences. These decisions were announced by HE Dr. Ali bin Saud
Al Bimani, Vice Chancellor of SQU at a press conference recently.
The Vice Chancellor said that the first batch of undergraduate students
will be received in the new department in September 2013 whereas admission to masters program in International Relations start from September this year. In order to accommodate the Political Science program,
a committee has been formed to restructure the programs in the college. This committee is headed by Dr. Said bin Ali Al Yahyaee, Deputy
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Community Service. This committee will prepare a proposal to restructure the College of Commerce
and Economics under the name of the College of Economics & Political
Sciences, so that the new proposed structure will include the Political
Sciences Department, preparing academic curricula for the Political Sciences programme, proposing the approved hours for each programme
in line with the SQU academic system.
30 June 2012 P3
Insight
Dr. Hemesiri Kotagama of
the Department of Natural
Resources Economics, who
supervised Esma in her
project, said that education
is perhaps one of the most
effective and sustaining
approaches to address the
root cause of food waste,
of changing the attitudes
of people towards reducing
food waste.
for Thought
In line with the global initiatives to curb food waste, Esma Karim Al Balushi, a student from the Department of Natural Resource Economics at
SQU, conducted a case study on household food wastage in an Omani
family, identified several reasons for plate food waste at the household
level in Oman, and suggested solutions. The study was on estimating the
commonly known “Plate Waste”, i.e. the weight of food served to the
plate and is unconsumed.
As part of the study, the food at the two stages (served on plate and unconsumed) was weighed for each family member at lunch for one week,
as data. The family (consuming food together) that was studied had 21
members, consisting of 10 males and 11 females, 3 of which are in years
1-5, 7 in years 6-18, 9 in years 19-40 and 2 above 40 years. Two male members and 1 female member had university education and all the others had
completed schooling or were presently schooling.
The average serving of food, in the studied household, ranged from 250 to
600 grams for children and adults, respectively. The average plate waste
ranged from 143 to 41 grams for children and adults, respectively. The
highest percentage of food waste (57%) was among the youngest 1-5 years
and as would be expected the lowest (7%) was among the adults over
40 years. The adolescents in the age group of 6-18 years wasted about
56% of the food. The average family plate waste was 35% by weight. As
per information of the Ministry of National Economy (2010) an average
Omani family spends about 205 OR per month for food. There would be
food waste from what is purchased to what is cooked. Food being cooked
has further costs of energy, labor etc. If it is assumed that waste before
cooking is zero and that the level of food waste at each meal is the same
as estimated, then an average Omani family would be wasting 70 OR per
month (205 OR x .35 waste) as food waste.
Esma’s close observations suggest that food consumption customs and
traditions are changing from collective family consumption to individualized consumption. Thus the young and adolescent being unguided are
wasting food. Whilst some adults are in a hurry to eat food the youngest
have got used to eat food whist watching television and loosing appetite
for food. Often children were served more than what they could consume.
She suggests the need of closer parental guidance on food consumption
habits of children, whilst educating them on the value of food.
Dr. Hemesiri Kotagama of the Department of Natural Resources Economics, who supervised Esma in her project, said that education is perhaps
one of the most effective and sustaining approaches to address the root
cause of food waste, of changing the attitudes of people towards reduc30 June 2012 P4
ing food waste. The Department is offering a course on “The World Food
Problem”. The course as titled is designed to build up awareness and
sensitize students on the socio-economic challenges and solutions to the
world food problem”, he said.
Dr. Kotagama further said that Esma’s study is a perhaps modest, in terms
of scientific rigor and representativeness, yet it provides a sense of magnitude of the problem and suggests the need for further rigorous studies of
not only plate waste but of food waste all the way along the food supply
chain. “Guided by Esma’s study, saving at least half the estimated plate
waste would be 35 OR per family per month and wouldn’t it be worthy?
Further reducing food waste as an individual does not only benefit oneself, it shall collectively help to reduce world hunger”, he added.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its latest publication,
“Towards the Future We Want (2012)” identifies, that despite all efforts
made in the past, over 900 million or 1 out of 7 of the world population,
still suffer from hunger. In order to feed the predicted 9 billion population
by 2050 agricultural output has to increase by at least 60% of the 2005 food
production. This increased production will be challenged by increased
scarcity of quantity and quality of resources and increased demand for
better environmental quality. Could we hope as in the past for technological advancement alone to increase production? Although belated the
report identifies other options, such as; “changing the way we eat … and
diminishing the food loss and waste …”. Dr. Kotagama said that all of
us could contribute to this option of reducing food waste at home, rich
or poor, scientists, bureaucrats, businessmen and the man on the street,
adult or child, man or woman, as it benefits the individual and the society.
Food waste means food that is thrown away even when it is still suitable
for human consumption.
FAO (2011) in a study titled “Global Food Losses and Food Waste” estimates that one third of the world food production is lost and wasted (1.3
billion tons per year). The per person waste of richer countries (95-115
kg/year) is about 10 times more than the poor countries (6-11 kg/year).
The food waste at the consumer or household in the richer countries (222
million ton) is almost equivalent to the food production in Sub-Saharan
Africa (230 million ton). The Economist (24th February 2011) states that,
“If western waste could be halved and the food distributed to those who
need it, the problem of feeding 9 billion people would vanish”. In the
rich countries the waste is closer to consumption and in poorer countries
it is closer to production and processing sources. A mix of approaches,
technological, socio-politico-economic, would be the best way to reduce
food losses.
MindOverMatter
Enterprises
Transition to
Smart Grid in
Oman
By: Dr. Mounir Bouzguenda
Dr. Mounir Bouzguenda, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at SQU, and colleagues are proceeding
with a research project on enterprises transition on smart grid in Oman.
This project is funded by The Research Council (2012-14).This article
underscores the importance of this study and the areas to be covered
during the study.
An electrical grid is not a single entity but an aggregate of multiple
networks and multiple power generation companies with multiple operators employing varying levels of communication and coordination,
most of which is manually controlled. Smart grids increase the connectivity, automation and coordination between these suppliers, consumers
and networks that perform either long distance transmission or local
distribution tasks. Transmissions networks move electricity in bulk over
medium to long distances, are actively managed, and generally operate
from 345kV to 800kV over AC and DC lines. Local networks traditionally moved power in one direction, “distributing” the bulk power to
consumers and businesses via lines operating at 132kV and lower.
This paradigm is changing as businesses and homes begin generating
more wind and solar electricity, enabling them to sell surplus energy
back to their utilities. Modernization is necessary for energy consumption efficiency, real time management of power flows and to provide
the bi-directional metering needed to compensate local producers of
power. Although transmission networks are already controlled in real
time, many in the US and European countries are antiquated by world
standards, and unable to handle modern challenges such as those posed
by the intermittent nature of alternative electricity generation, or continental scale bulk energy transmission.
The smart grid is an encouraging development for Oman, because it
inaugurates a new era of power system management and will help
the government of Oman to attain its targets in the energy sector. The
transition to smart grid in Oman is an imperative and requires a clear
diagnosis of the above considerations within a comprehensive project:
Enterprises Transition to Smart Grid in Oman.
This project focuses on the goal and strategy of implementing a Geographical Information System based smart grid in Oman. In its contemporary form, Smart Grid encompasses the facilities, control systems and
protocols from the electric generators to the retail customers and their
usage patterns and offers a wealth of benefits in grid reliability, renewable energy integration, electrical vehicles, smart devices energy conservation, control of electric generation and transmission while reducing
energy cost and environmental pollution. The research team consists of
Professor Adel Gastli, Dr. Amer Al Hinai, Dr. Amer Al Habsi, Dr. Dawood Al Abri, Dr. Yassine Charaabi and Dr. Arif Malik at Sultan Qaboos
University and Professor Saifur Rahman-Director of the Alexandria Research Institute, Virginia, USA. Several research assistants and postgraduate students will take part in the project.
The Smart Grid project brings together the electric generation, transmission, distribution companies, residential, commercial and industrial
customers as well as government agencies. Therefore, a greater efficiency is expected in the electric sector in Oman. In addition, for the smart
grid deployment, new industries are created to provide related products
and services as well as new jobs.
This project is in line with the Sultanate’s intent to secure the provision of electricity, develop safe, effective and economic generation and
operation of electricity in urban and rural Oman and aims at: Assessing
gradual integration of small and large scale renewable energy systems.
Renewable energy power systems, in general, and solar photovoltaic
systems are expected to contribute more significantly in Oman. Some 6.6
MW power plants using wind and solar energy are already confirmed
for installation. As the number of grid connected PV power plants increases in Oman, the many problems that would face the electric grid
are addressed in the project. This includes resources intermittency, utility’s need for traditional power and grid interconnect standards.
Developing GIS framework for data flow and management that would
involve GIS, substation IEDs and distribution automation devices, realtime operational data, archived SCADA data, electric outage information, asset data, work management and work cost data, customer onsite metering and energy management devices, customer, smart meter
data and remote sensors and monitoring devices. Building a prototype
micro-grid for demonstration, training and carrying out future research
and testing existing technologies and proposing new ones.
Developing a cost benefit analysis methodology that takes into account
assets, smart grid principal characteristics, technologies and functions.
Selecting different scenarios to assess the implementation and dissemination of information of Smart Grid in Oman including recommendations, deployment timeline and procedure.
The outcomes of this research will be very useful to the country and will
be used as accurate and trustful references in different categories and
develop expertise and awareness about Smart Grid in Oman. Additional benefits include educating, training and employing Omani graduates
and setting practical examples in the power and energy systems for the
power industry and the university that will be shared nationally and
internationally.
With the transition to a smart grid era, the public electric authorities,
transmission and distribution companies and grid operators would be
to monitor and control the capabilities of the electric grid and to deliver a higher level of system reliability at a lower price, even in the
face of increasing power demand and unpredictable renewable energy
resources and customer behavior. Therefore, these authorities would
have precise indication of the existing infrastructure, goals, strategy and
requirements of the GIS based smart grid. As a result of this project,
Sultan Qaboos University will be in position to take the responsibility of
identifying the potentials and the barriers of smart grid implementation
in Oman, assisting both public and private sectors in the development
and applications of projects within the framework of the smart grid and
providing more jobs.
30 June 2012 P5
NewsRoundUp
‎SQU Receives ESCWA Official
HH Sayyidah Dr. Mona bint Fahad Al Said, Assistant Vice Chancellor for External Cooperation , recently received in her office, Dr. Fouad Mrad, Executive
Director of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
(ESCWA) Technology Centre, Jordan. The mission of the Centre is to assist
ESCWA members countries and public and private organizations to acquire
the tools and capabilities necessary to accelerate socio-economic development
in order to attain technological parity with other nations and regions of the
world and to contribute to convert the economies of member countries into
economies based on scientific and technological knowledge.
In their discussion, Sayyidah Dr. Mona and Dr. Mrad stressed the need for
improved science, technology and innovation policies in the region. They observed that as globalization has enhanced the dissemination of knowledge and
expertise, there is a pressing need to couple science, technology and innovation policies with business enterprises and practical applications in the industrial and technical domains. Dr. Mrad, promised all support and assistance to
SQU to strengthen its capabilities to develop, and transfer new technologies, to
foster innovation among the research and student community.
Workshop Discusses
Climate Change Scenario
SQU Recognized as a
LabVIEW Academy
In accordance with Sultan Qaboos University’s strategic plan, the
Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) Department is continuing to build strong links with known international academic and
industry organizations to strengthen its educational and research
programs. Among these organizations is the National Instruments
Corporation (NI), a well-known leading international company in
the field Instrumentation.
The widely-used NI LabVIEW software, an advanced graphical development environment, is used by many prominent universities
and established industries to develop graphical user-friendly applications in numerous fields of engineering and measurement sciences.
SQU has recently established with NI the first LabVIEW Academy in
the Arab Gulf region. This step is expected to benefit tremendously
SQU’s engineering and science graduating students as it will provide
them with the opportunity and ability to strengthen and apply their
knowledge in industry.
The LabVIEW Academy program uses a blended learning model that
combines face-to-face teaching with engaging content and hands-on
lab trainings. This model prepares students for the demands of industry and higher education in engineering, computer science, and
related measurement and instrumentation. NI will issue a Certificate
of Completion of the course for each student that pass the exam of
the LabVIEW Academy program. Such a certificate will give SQU
students a competitive chance in the job market.
The focal person of the NI LabVIEW Academy at SQU is Prof. Hadj
Bourdoucen, from the ECE Department, College of Engineering. He
was invited to attend the yearly NI regional meeting on 17th May
2012 in Beirut, Lebanon, to announce the inauguration of the SQU
LabVIEW Academy. This took place during the NI Academic Conference Day on “Encouraging Innovation and Creativity”, which was
attended by industry experts and academicians to share their experiences on fostering innovation.
SQU hosted the second workshop on “Initial National Communication to
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)Sultanate of Oman”. UNFCCC is an international treaty which envisages
member states to cooperatively consider what they could do to limit average global temperature increases and the resulting climate change, and to
cope with whatever impacts were inevitable. The workshop was organized
jointly by Sultan Qaboos University, the Ministry of Environment & Climate Affairs and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
In his opening remarks, Eng. Ibrahim Al Ajmi, Director General, Climate
Affairs at the Ministry of Environment & Climate Affairs, observed that climate change is a complex problem, which, although environmental in nature, has consequences for all spheres of existence on our planet. “It either
impacts on, or is impacted by, global issues, including poverty, economic
development, population growth, sustainable development and resource
management. It is not surprising, then, that solutions come from all disciplines and fields of research and development”, he said. Prof. Adel Gastli,
Director of Quality Assurance Office at SQU and Coordinator of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Group (RASERG) at SQU said
that the workshop reviewed the overall progress towards formulating the
national communication for Oman to UNFCCC, since the inception workshop held earlier this year.
30 June 2012 P6
SQU-UAE Scientific
Committee Meets
The annual meeting of the Sultan Qaboos University-United Arab
Emirates University Scientific Committee was held recently. It reviewed the final reports of the completed four joint research projects
between the two universities and approved one project for the year
2012. Two completed projects are in the field of education, and one
each in humanities and medicine. The newly approved project is
in medicine. The committee has received more than 20 new join research proposals for the year 2013. These proposals will be evaluated
in due course.
From 557 in the year 1986, the number of students rose to
14722 in the academic year 2007-2008. This figure includes
Diploma, Bachelors, Masters and PhD students. There has
been gradual increase in the number of graduates as well;
from 284 graduates in the year 1990 to 2422 in 2011.
A Sun that never sets
Straight Talk
Raoul Restucci
Raoul Restucci serves as the Managing
Director of Petroleum Development
Oman. He started his career in Shell
International in 1980, following his
graduation from Nottingham University in the UK with a degree in Mining
Engineering. After 30 years of International assignments with Shell and partner Joint Ventures, he assumed the role
of PDO Managing Director in October
2010. Restucci gave a talk on PDO’s approach “Towards a Green Economy:”
on the occasion of the World Environment Day at Sultan Qaboos University.
He spoke to Horizon about his organization, its links with SQU, and its initiatives towards more sustainable and
environmentally friendly operations.
Horizon: To what extent PDO is committed to its environmental
responsibilities and the need to operate with sustainability reducing
its carbon footprint?
Restucci:
The mission of PDO is to explore and develop oil and
gas in a sustainable, safe, cost efficient and environmentally responsible manner, to benefit entire society. We aim to improve awareness
and understanding of sustainable development efforts and integrate
core principles of sustainability in all we do and in our core business
processes. Sustainable development is a well established strategic
framework which focuses on meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future
generations. The three elements, also known as the ‘three pillars’ of
sustainable development are: People, Planet and Profit. In other
words, the drive for economic prosperity (Profit) must not outweigh
the prudent management of the environment (Planet), nor must it be
at the expense of members of society (People), which includes staff
and communities. In other words all of the three elements have to
be taken into consideration at the same time. PDO’s annual business
plans are underpinned by sustainable development principles based
on the three elements, but increasingly we have enhanced protective
elements to take on more ambitious, opportunity seeking, principles,
such as In-Country Value creation, employment and Social Licence
principles, to ensure increased contribution to all the communities
around us.
produce an average of 9,600 tons a year of dry biomass which could
be used for small –scale (bio-fuel) power generation. The venture
provides a much lower cost and sustainable solution to a major produced water challenge, and will save an estimated 12 billion cubic
feet of gas (phase 1 alone) over the next decade.
Horizon: PDO is using solar technology to generate steam for enhanced oil recovery. This is an example of sustainable development.
Can you elaborate?
Restucci:
Horizon: The Nimr Reed Beds Project of PDO is a move towards
Protecting Oman’s environment is something that is
constantly on the forefront of our operating philosophy. At Amal,
where PDO is currently in the process of developing a major steam
injection project, we have embarked on a pilot aimed at testing solar technology to generate steam during the day. The 4-acre Solar
Steam Generation Pilot that is in mobilisation phase will generate
high-temperature, high-pressure steam using parabolic troughs
housed inside agriculture-style greenhouses. The goal of the solar
EOR project at Amal is to reduce the amount of natural gas burned
for thermal enhanced oil recovery, releasing gas for higher value
applications, including power generation, desalination, industrial
development and export. The Amal solar enhanced oil recovery facility will use concentrated thermal energy from the sun with the
objective to produce low-cost, emission-free steam that will be fed
directly into PDO’s existing steam distribution network. If successful, the solar technology could be expanded to alternative applications throughout PDO’s operations.
Restucci:
Horizon:
“green energy”. Isn’t it?
The great volumes of water produced along with the
oil are a challenge for Oil companies across the world. The produced
water is contaminated with oil and other pollutants and much of
it has a salinity higher than seawater, making it unusable for domestic or agricultural purposes. At the Nimr operating hub, in the
southern part of its concession area, PDO and partners Bauer and
Sarooj implemented an innovative solution to the area’s significant
water production. After several years of pilot trials the large-scale
Reed Beds project came on stream at the end of 2010, with a second
phase now in final completion. Reed plants naturally absorb oil and
other contaminants and a giant water treatment farm measuring 2.4
million square metres of reed beds was constructed. The farm is capable of treating 45,000 cubic metres per day of produced water and
phase two will soon increase this to 95,000 m3/ day. In addition, to
salt recovery for industrial and drilling purposes, the project would
How would you comment on the partnership between
SQU and PDO?
Restucci:
In PDO we use technology as an enabler turning issues and challenges into opportunities. PDO leverages its partnerships to expand on its capability in new technology, and we are very
proud of the partnership with SQU in support of strategic areas such
Enhanced Oil Recovery and water shut-offs (where SQU have world
class laboratory facilities), enabling important tests before field deployments. The ‘expandable’ test facility is also another key development helping us optimise well designs. Over the past 10 years, we
have jointly conducted more than 50 projects, with 10 projects ongoing this year alone, ranging from microbe studies in oil flow, in-situ
combustion, special polymers for water shut-offs to PVT analysis
and rock micro-fracture or stress analysis.