This Day in History (2006): Aramco technician gets top honor

From the July 12, 2006, edition of The Arabian Sun

The gap between oil demand and supply is so tight that a disruption in supply could send global economies reeling. Under these circumstances, it is critical that industry piping, plants, and refineries stay in top operating condition.

Mohammed A. Abufour, a senior technician in the engineering and Operations Inspection Department, will receive international recognition for his efforts to maintain the reliability of Aramco's production and delivery infrastructure.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) has chosen Abufour to receive the 2006 Lou DiValerio Technician of the Year Award. The Saudi Arabian section of the ASNT has been very active in promoting nondestructive testing, and submitted Abufour's name, along with qualifying details, to the world headquarters.

Abufour was selected from a worldwide pool of technicians put forward by their local sections for their accomplishments. He will be honored for a career devoted to excellence in NDT, which uses a combination of technologies and scientific methods to inspect and test equipment while maintaining the equipment's structural integrity.

This is more than a job for me. I'm almost always here. Not just checking my email, but researching new equipment and techniques to solve problems.

— Mohammed A. Abufour

Abufour will be recognized during the Annual Awards Banquet of the ASNT Fall Conference and Quality Testing Show in Houston to be held in October.

Caption for top photo: Mohammed A. Abufour won an international award for his testing activities.

Also on this date

2001 — Space Shuttle "Atlantis" is launched, carrying he Quest Joint Airlock to the International Space Station

1995 — Chinese seismologists successfully predict the 1995 Myanmar-China earthquake, reducing the number of casualties to 11

1979 — Kiribati gains its independence from the United Kingdom

1973 — A fire destroys the sixth floor of the National Personnel Records Center of the U.S.

1971 — The Australian Aboriginal Flag is flown for the first time

1962 — The Rolling Stones perform for the first time at London's Marquee Club

1943 — German and Soviet forces engage in the Battle of Prokhorovka, one of the largest armored engagements ever

1917 — The Bisbee Deportation occurs as vigilantes kidnap and deport nearly 1,300 striking miners and others from Bisbee, Arizona

1862 — The Medal of Honor is authorized by the U.S. Congress

1776 — Captain James Cook begins his third voyage.