U.S. research centers achieve 100th patent milestone

Our Aramco U.S. R&D program recently celebrated a milestone, with 100 plus granted patents from technologies created at the Houston, Boston and Detroit centers.  This achievement reflects the caliber of our researchers who work creatively and with determination to advance Aramco's technology leadership.

Collectively, Aramco holds thousands of patents worldwide and approximately 1,700 U.S. patents largely from work taking place in our research centers and with affiliates around the world.   The company leads most other national oil and energy companies in U.S. patents filed per year.

Intellectual property observers say that U.S. patents typically take two to three years to issue from the time they are filed.  The U.S. R&D program has helped to accelerate Aramco’s patent growth in a relatively short period of time.   

Aramco Americas President Mohammad Alshammari and U.S. R&D Director Ghaithan AlMuntasheri recognized the milestone during a ceremony at the Houston center.

“I congratulate everyone on the accomplishments, their commitment to technology and to Aramco Americas and Saudi Aramco,” said AlMuntasheri. “I also want us to pause and ask ourselves, what next?”

His challenge comes at a time when developing energy breakthroughs are more critical than ever.  The demand for low-carbon energy and sustainable practices are calling for new technologies and science advancements.

 “Inventions prove creativity, now, it is time to prove the value of these intellectual properties through delivery and deployment of technologies that reduce costs, improve operations efficiency and support our sustainability driver,” he added.

AlShammari called for reflection, saying, “It is also a moment to reflect on how we realize our vision, how we take our ingenuity and creativity to do things that don't exist.  How we drive the huge expansion that Saudi Aramco is looking for.”  

The U.S. centers are part of Saudi Aramco's strategy to be a creator of technology and to leverage R&D for a competitive advantage.  The first of our U.S. research centers, our Boston center, was inaugurated 2013, our Houston research center in 2014 and our Detroit center in 2015.  In 2017, the Houston center was expanded with a dedicated facility and lab for sensors development.

In addition to patents, the U.S. program and people have been recognized by Saudi Aramco as part of its innovation program.   Detroit's Steve Przesmitzki, Strategic Transport Analysis Team Lead, and Lab Scientists Alhassan Badahdah, Hassan El-Houjeiri, and Jean-Christophe Monfort received distinguished honors in Dhahran during the 2019 annual Saudi Aramco Excellence Awards recognizing high achievers who deliver innovative solutions to further transform our company.   

Since startup, the U.S. centers have delivered significant technologies to Dhahran for testing and deployment in the field.
 
Our work has appeared in prestigious peer-reviewed academic and scientific journals such as Science Magazine and Nature, including an influential research study conducted with Stanford University that shows Aramco's crude oil is produced with the lowest carbon intensity in the world after The Netherlands.  This makes our crude the cleanest in the world of major producing countries.

Aramco's engines and fuels technology advances have been recognized at major auto shows, including the North American International Auto Show and, most recently, the Geneva International Motor Show where a number of transport technologies with potential to significantly enhance efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions where on display.  This included Aramco's Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI), Opposed-Piston, Turbulent Jet Ignition and On-board Carbon Capture technology.

Detroit is advancing global transport research network working with centers in Dhahran, Paris, and Beijing.

A new R&D center in Moscow focused on simulation and modeling, advanced materials and artificial intelligence and a Non-metallic Innovation Center in Cambridge, England opened in September, adds to the breadth of our research and technology capabilities.

U.S. centers work in close alignment with EXPEC ARC and R&DC in Dhahran to deliver solutions that meet future energy needs in a sustainable way.

Recognizing the value and the competitive edge research brings to the company, AlShammari addressed researchers and support staff with a personal note of thanks.  “We as a company are blessed by resources but also blessed by you, your way of thinking, and you have all our support.”