Saudi Aramco is a socially responsible corporate with a firm commitment towards the citizens of Saudi Arabia, as it continues to adopt the latest green-friendly technologies in its quest for a cleaner environment for everyone.

“All efforts to meet the challenges posed by growing energy demand may be for naught unless there is a corresponding commitment to lighten the environmental footprint of our industry’s activities and products,” Saudi Aramco says in its 2006 Annual Review. “Intensive efforts must also be made to ensure that facilities and communities are safe, healthful places in which to work and live. We share the world’s concern regarding potential climate change impact, and we are working to play a leading role in developing and implementing technological solutions in a responsible manner.”
Last year, Saudi Aramco organised an international symposium on carbon management, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
As part of Saudi Aramco’s broader technology programme, the company is collaborating with a number of leading research institutes and technology developers worldwide to introduce new environmental technologies, such as carbon capture and sequestration, cleaner burning fuels, more environmentally friendly engine designs, and new flue gas and crude desulphurisation technologies. 

EMISSIONS
In addition to its efforts in energy conservation and flare reduction, Saudi Aramco has established a dedicated carbon management team focused on coordinating our efforts to minimise carbon emissions.
As Saudi Aramco’s offshore activities have increased, so has its ability to combat oil spills. Saudi Aramco maintains a large, dedicated anti-pollution fleet and regularly conducts international oil spill drills in cooperation with other company organisations, government agencies and international environmental organisations. 
Sulphur plant upgrades at Shedgum and Uthmaniyah gas plants were completed in late 2005 and commissioned in early 2006, significantly reducing sulphur emissions. Further reductions will be achieved in a second phase of projects for both plants, planned for completion in 2009. A similar project has begun at the Berri gas plant. The diesel hydrotreaters at Yanbu and Riyadh refineries have reduced atmospheric sulphur dioxide emissions from diesel fuel by about 70 per cent. 
A number of wastewater treatment plants are in the works or planned, including facilities at the Ras Tanura and Juaymah terminals, Abqaiq Plants, East/West Pipeline pump stations, regional distribution centres, Berri and Juaymah gas plants, Jeddah Refinery and onshore and offshore locations in its Northern Area. 
“We place great importance on securing our facilities —and more importantly, our people — from harm,” the company says in the review. “Company operations and communities are protected by an array of safety and security measures. Our security personnel are well-trained and participate in frequent exercises. Furthermore, our facilities feature redundant systems so production, processing and distribution of petroleum can continue unabated.”
Saudi Aramco also works co-operatively with Saudi government security forces to help ensure it keeps its commitment to being the world’s most reliable supplier of petroleum.  Saudi Aramco’s IT organisation initiated a number of projects that provide proactive capabilities to ensure data and systems protection, such as intrusion detection and prevention systems, and anti-virus and anti-spyware. It rolled out a new e-security system that serves more than 220,000 customers around the kingdom, reducing the lead and cycle time of ID and sticker issuance by more than 90 per cent.
Meanwhile, in 2006 Saudi Aramco conducted information technology (IT) security awareness campaigns for 169 plants around the kingdom, and completed IT security risk assessments for 10 major facilities. Safety risk assessment studies were carried out for a number of existing facilities and major expansion projects, including Shedgum and Yanbu gas plants, the Nuayyim crude increment and various master gas system (MGS) expansion projects.
Saudi Aramco has upgraded the Dhahran Emergency Control Center so its Fire Protection Department can better monitor and respond to potential disasters around the kingdom. The centre uses both land-based and satellite-based telephone and data communication systems, satellite imagery, vehicle tracking and GIS software, plus other crisis management tools.
The company operates one of the largest fixed-wing and helicopter fleets in the industry, and to protect this critical asset, it obtained eight rapid intervention aircraft rescue and fire-fighting trucks. The trucks meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 414 standards, are fast, tough and nimble, and can operate in a variety of terrains and conditions. Water, foam or dry chemical solutions can be discharged from remote-controlled turrets on the roof and bumper. The vehicles are also equipped with infrared cameras for operating at night or in poor visibility.

QUALITY OF LIFE
Saudi Aramco is not only creating initiatives to grow the kingdom’s economy, it is taking a leading role in improving quality of life as well. It participated in two major traffic safety campaigns in 2006. For the 22nd consecutive year, Saudi Aramco participated in the  GCC Traffic Week, distributing printed materials, taking part in exhibitions organised by traffic authorities and conducting presentations in local schools. It also took part in a month-long traffic safety campaign organised by the Ministry of the Interior.
Saudi Aramco worked closely with the Eastern Province Municipality in launching a recycling programme for plastic, glass and aluminum in the Al-Dana residential area, part of greater Al Khobar. The same programme is in effect in its Dhahran community. A local factory manufactures the recycling bins, eliminating the need to import them and reducing the cost by half.
For more than five decades, Saudi Aramco has provided subsidised home loans to eligible Saudi employees through its home pwnership programme.
In 2006, it granted 1,729 new home loans, bringing the total of homes that have been financed to more than 54,700.  Saudi Aramco’s commitment to the education of the children of its Saudi employees, and to children of the kingdom at large, dates back to the 1950s. Since then, the company has constructed 139 government schools (74 for boys and 65 for girls) and has also provided maintenance and renovation programmes.
Last year Saudi Aramco also organised a three-day school kit campaign for families in need in Jaizan and Tabuk, and more than 2,300 kits were distributed. Company employees donated funds that helped provide more than 3,500 school kits for children in the Eastern Province.
The children of Saudi Aramco’s expatriate employees are provided with top-quality education at company-operated schools.  In 2006, all five Saudi Aramco Schools were awarded accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Saudi Aramco Medical Services organisation (Samso) provides world-class medical and dental care to employees and their dependents. In 2006, the company added cardiac surgery and improved services such as interventional cardiology, and neurosurgery. It also enhanced its emergency medical disaster response capability in Abqaiq and Udhailiyah, and upgraded the level of care offered by local clinics in these areas. 
A series of network development initiatives in Al Hasa improved access to health care, reduced waiting times, expanded bed capacity to more than 600 and increased available physician specialties tenfold.
Last year Saudi Aramco’s diabetes prevention programme staged promotional campaigns in 25 company locations, and more than 12,000 employees attended. The company implemented smoking cessation and workplace wellness programmes that focused on healthy habits, diet and exercise.
“For the 18th year in a row, Petroleum Intelligence Weekly ranked Saudi Aramco as the No 1 oil company in the world. We like to think the honour is bestowed not only for our petroleum reserves and production capabilities, but also for our bold actions to meet the growing challenges facing our industry and our world,” the report concludes.
Source: 2006 Annual Review