Aramco Beijing Research Center are intensifying its engagement with potential Chinese partners to accelerate technology development and demonstration, in an effort to co-create value towards our shared aspiration for net-zero.
Dr. Abdulkareem M. AlSofi, Vice President, Research & Development of Aramco Asia, made the remarks at the ENN New Engineering Forum, which was held recently alongside with the 2nd Meeting of the 4th Industrial Board of College of Engineering, Peking University.
The ENN New Engineering Forum, with the aim to encourage college-enterprise cooperation to promote deeper integration of talents, advanced technology, and industry, were hosted by the College Dean, Duan Huiling.
Dr. AlSofi, together with five high-profile speakers, including Wang Yusuo, Chairman of the Board of ENN Group; Chen Shiyi, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Li Weiguo, Chairman of Beijing Oriental Yuhong Co., Ltd were invited to deliver keynote speech at the forum, where the latest industry development, such as AI, sustainability, and robotics were put the spotlight.
Reviewing Aramco's innovation and collaboration with Chinese partners, AlSofi noted,
“Last year we established the Upstream Sustainability domain. The establishment of this new research thrust at Beijing Research Center stems also from our harmonious plans. Both nations, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People Republic of China have publicly announced their intent to achieve net-zero by 2060. Similarly, both national oil producers (Saudi Aramco and CNPC) announced their intent to achieve net-zero by 2050. ”
Speaking about the joint journey towards the mutual goal of net-zero, AlSofi said,
“Rising to this challenge, as any other global challenge, will require diverse mindsets and toolkits rather than a single mono-polar solution. In terms of sequestration in general, R&D efforts need to extend and consider new alternate sequestration pathways, for example the conversion of O2 into products. Intensifying R&D can expand the carbon abatement potential of this alternate sequestration pathway. While Carbon Capture and Underground Storage is a key pathway, it is all roads that will collectively take us to net-zero.”
Looking forward to the future, AlSofi expressed that Aramco will keep working on deepening our collaboration with higher education institutions, R&D organizations, and industry partners. Together, we will support technological innovation and the growth of talents, and work towards the shared goal of achieving net-zero emissions.