Memory Lane
Memory Lane: Trains, astronauts, and SAP milestones revisited
Twenty years ago, Aramco rolled out a major component of the SAP computer system across the company.
Here are few headlines from over the past 70 years at Aramco.
COMFORT ASSURED ON SAUDI GOV'T RAILROAD
Whether you're going to Dhahran, to Hofuf, or all the way to Riyadh, you'll soon be able to do it in air-conditioned comfort aboard the Saudi Government Railroad.
It's been a smooth ride at speeds approaching 90 miles an hour aboard a gleaming silver, stainless steel vehicle. The three Budd self-propelled cars that will provide this fast passenger service made their inaugural run to Riyadh on Saturday, where they were inspected by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz.
Each car represents nearly $150,000 worth of diesel motors, steel, and aluminum, specially modified for desert use by Budd.
AWARDS FOR LIFE-SAVING RESCUE
Two Aramco employees whose actions saved the life of a fellow worker were the recipients of awards presented by Aramco Board chairman Liston F. Hills at a Safety Luncheon held in the Surf House East Lounge.
Falaij Sa'ad al-Khalidi, assistant operator at Asphalt Plant No. 8, was awarded the American Petroleum Institute's Meritorious Safety Award; Nasser Hussain Sinan, operator at the same location, received the Aramco Life Saving Certificate.
Al-Khalidi saved the life of Mohammed Saeed Jalala on Dec. 10, 1970, after Jalala had been overcome by gas while cleaning a fuel gas burner at the Crude Topping Unit. Jalala's life was saved when al-Khalidi administered mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Sinan removed Jalala from the furnace area when he became unconscious.
AN ASTRONAUT VISIT
HRH Amir Sultan ibn Salman ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, the first Arab Muslim astronaut, and Renato Bonicfacio, chairman of Aeratalia, an Italian aerospace organization, visited Aramco on Monday, Jan. 12. The guests were met by an Aramco delegation headed by Board Chairman John J. Kelberer.
SAP IN WITH A BANG
Dec. 29, 2001, was a banner day for Saudi Aramco, for Information Technology, and for the hundreds of people who had been involved with the SAP Project, some for the past six years.
It was the day of the "Big Bang" as SAP functions went live for Finance and Controlling, Materials and Warehouse Management, Plant Maintenance, Services Procurement (Contracting), Projects and Capital Planning, and Quality Management.
"Since I joined the company on April 1, 1968, I have witnessed the introduction of hundreds of computer systems designed to automate and optimize company processes, keep down costs and maintain internal controls. This project has identified all these processes, documented them, and changed them to comply with the best practices available in the world," said president and CEO Abdallah S. Jum'ah. "The project provides Saudi Aramco with brand new engines designed to carry the company for the next 60 years.”
SAUDI ARAMCO, GE TEAM UP TO SUPPLY RENEWABLE ENERGY TO THE KINGDOM WITH COMMISSIONING OF FIRST WIND TURBINE IN TURAIF
Aramco on Tuesday marked the commissioning of the Kingdom's first wind energy turbine, providing electricity of its bulk plant facility in Turaif in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The project was developed in partnership with General Electric (GE).
The GE 2.75-120 wind turbine was delivered with a desert protection package specifically designed for the Kingdom's hot and harsh conditions. The tower stands 85 meters high, capturing energy by blades 120 meters in diameter. The turbines rotor tips reach 145 meters from the ground.