Abstract: Biotechnology has immense potential in resolving upstream oil & gas challenges while maintaining a circular carbon economy as it is directed towards generating a wide range of bio-based chemicals that are environmentally compatible and function effectively under harsh reservoir conditions. Such bio-products could be better alternatives than several costly, and environmentally hazardous synthetic chemicals currently used in oilfield operations. Our objective is to leverage biotechnology approaches to generate bio-based materials from different biological resources such as reservoir extremophiles and microalgae for oilfield operations. These bio-products offer better alternatives for synthetic oilfield chemicals in terms of economic and environmental sustainability, besides high efficiency and stability under extreme reservoir conditions. Thus, metagenomics study can help demonstrating the metabolic capabilities of the reservoir microbial consortium, which provides better insights on the promising metabolic capabilities of this consortium and potential green chemicals for upstream applications. A comprehensive Omics analysis via AI and ML capabilities can significantly help in identifying the biological products that can be produced by these biocatalysts and explore their promising potential in the Oil and Gas industry.

Bio: Dr. Abdulwahab A. Al-Ghamdi started his career with Saudi Aramco in 2001 where he completed several assignments in different organizations within EXPEC ARC include Advanced Technical Services Division (ATSD), Production Technology Division (PTD), and Strategic Technology Analysis Division (STAD) as well as Gas Reservoir Management Division (GRMD). He is currently heading KAUST Upstream Research Center. Al-Ghamdi has a Bachelor’s Chemical Engineering degree from KFUPM with honors. A M.Sc. and PhD degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. A M.Sc. degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University, with a graduate certificate in business from Mays business school at Texas A&M University. Abdulwahab published several technical and journal papers, and led the successful implementation of many analytical tools and business solution to manage organizational performance and strategy framework. Abdulwahab received a number of international honors and recognitions including the “2011 SPE Young Professional Paper Contest” in Denver for the best paper written by a Young Professional in the Well Stimulation discipline, the regional “2012 Oil & Gas awards for Young Engineer of the year”, recipient of the “2012 SPE Regional Outstanding Young Member Award”, and lead his team to win the SPE prestigious International award “The Outstanding Section Young Professionals Committee Award”, San Antonio 2012.

Abstract: Biotechnology has immense potential in resolving upstream oil & gas challenges while maintaining a circular carbon economy as it is directed towards generating a wide range of bio-based chemicals that are environmentally compatible and function effectively under harsh reservoir conditions. Such bio-products could be better alternatives than several costly, and environmentally hazardous synthetic chemicals currently used in oilfield operations. Our objective is to leverage biotechnology approaches to generate bio-based materials from different biological resources such as reservoir extremophiles and microalgae for oilfield operations. These bio-products offer better alternatives for synthetic oilfield chemicals in terms of economic and environmental sustainability, besides high efficiency and stability under extreme reservoir conditions. Thus, metagenomics study can help demonstrating the metabolic capabilities of the reservoir microbial consortium, which provides better insights on the promising metabolic capabilities of this consortium and potential green chemicals for upstream applications. A comprehensive Omics analysis via AI and ML capabilities can significantly help in identifying the biological products that can be produced by these biocatalysts and explore their promising potential in the Oil and Gas industry.

Bio: Dr. Abdulwahab A. Al-Ghamdi started his career with Saudi Aramco in 2001 where he completed several assignments in different organizations within EXPEC ARC include Advanced Technical Services Division (ATSD), Production Technology Division (PTD), and Strategic Technology Analysis Division   (STAD) as well as Gas Reservoir  Management Division (GRMD). He is currently heading KAUST Upstream Research Center. Al-Ghamdi has a Bachelor’s Chemical Engineering degree from KFUPM with honors. A M.Sc. and PhD degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. A M.Sc. degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University, with a graduate certificate in business from Mays business school at Texas A&M University. Abdulwahab published several technical and journal papers, and led the successful implementation of many analytical tools and business solution to manage organizational performance and strategy framework. Abdulwahab received a number of international honors and recognitions including the “2011 SPE Young Professional Paper Contest” in Denver for the best paper written by a Young Professional in the Well Stimulation discipline, the regional “2012 Oil & Gas awards for Young Engineer of the year”, recipient of the “2012 SPE Regional Outstanding Young Member Award”, and lead his team to win the SPE prestigious International award “The Outstanding Section Young Professionals Committee Award”, San Antonio 2012.