The Research and Development Center (R&DC) recently held the first Downstream Workshop between Saudi Aramco and Brazilian oil company Petrobras to strengthen the relationship between the two companies, learn about one another's R&D downstream activities, discuss best practices in R&D project management and develop collaborative projects.
Under the umbrella of the National Oil Company (NOC) Forum, both organizations are promoting collaboration and addressing challenges facing all NOCs. Saudi Aramco is committed to making the forum a success and acknowledges the leadership role Petrobras demonstrated while heading the NOC Forum's Technology Working Group. Both organizations bring considerable know-how to the technology arena.
The workshop featured presentations and detailed discussions on crude and heavy oil desulfurization, oil-to-chemicals, hydrogen production and clean fuels. It also included discussions on human-resources management, along with visits to Saudi Aramco facilities.
Potential areas of collaboration include catalyst and process development related to hydrogen production from liquid fuels, nitrogen removal from heavy oil and olefin production. These areas will be further evaluated by both organizations with the intention to launch one collaborative project.
