The FINANCIAL — Achieving technological breakthroughs that power Saudi Aramco and the energy industry forward requires partnerships that can unlock innovating minds. One such initiative is the Aramco Fuel Research Center (AFRC) in Paris, dedicated to studies on fuel and engine technology to increase efficiency and reduce emissions.
During a visit to the research center last month, Amin H. Nasser, Saudi Aramco acting president and CEO, received updates on the status of ongoing projects, including OOD and GCI projects. Nasser expressed his appreciation to the AFRC team and thanked them for their enthusiasm in working on technologies that help to minimize the carbon footprint of the transport sector, according to Saudi Aramco.
Current engine research and development, designed to increase efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions of future engines, is primarily based on using existing market fuels.
There is significant potential to develop new fuel/engine systems that are highly efficient, cleaner and cheaper but also use fuels that are easier to manufacture. This will enable a better balance between supply and demand of future fuels and make the transport sector more sustainable.
Examples of such systems are Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) and Octane on Demand (OOD), both of which use low-octane gasoline, or naphtha.
With a determination to expand its global technological reach, Saudi Aramco has spent the last few years building a network of global research centers and technology offices in collaboration with the world’s leading technology drivers.
The AFRC is one of three managed by Aramco Overseas Company (AOC), opened in February 2013 and was established as part of a 10-year collaborative agreement between AOC and IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN), which boasts a significant level of intellectual property and a strong track record of bringing technologies to market.
The technical programs executed by AFRC are closely coordinated with Saudi Aramco’s Research and Development Center in Dhahran and the Aramco Research Center in Detroit, ensuring global alignment, improving innovation processes, and adding value to the business through links with regional knowledge hubs.
As these centers grow, the latest in energy related technology and best practices can be exported back to the Kingdom to support Saudi Aramco as it evolves into a world- leading integrated energy and chemicals enterprise.
Achieving technological breakthroughs that power Saudi Aramco and the energy industry forward requires partnerships that can unlock innovating minds.
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