optic sensor technology for the Northern Area Pipelines Department. “Putting together a strong team that can handle advanced materials for Saudi Aramco is a key to success,” said Al-Houtan. “In fact, we have an excellent mix of both highly experienced and new Saudi post-graduate scientists.” They include Turki A. Khaldi who earned a Ph.D. from Manchester University in the U.K.; Abdullah A. Shahrani, who also earned a Ph.D. from Manchester University; and Bandar A. Fadhel, who graduated from Monash University, Australia. “Several others will join the group bringing additional experience,” Al-Houtan said. As important as the intellectual capital are the laboratory assets to use it. “We have state-of-the-art equipment that supports our research,” Al-Houtan said. “The equipment includes a plasma spray and solution-spray system, freeze drying for nano-powder production, scanning electron workstations, pulsed electroplating, jet and slurry erosion equipment, and a high-temperature system that can reach up to 1,600 degrees Celsius.” Now that it's up and running, Al-Houtan sees big things ahead for the group. “Successful as we have been in our first year,” he said, “we will continue to expand and position ourselves as a nationally and internationally recognized research group dedicated to becoming the most effective advanced materials group in the oil and gas industry for both upstream and downstream arenas.”
