Ali Al-Yousef, Reservoir Engineering chief technologist with the EXPEC Advanced Research Center (EXPEC ARC), was in the spotlight at the recent Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) international conference where he was recognized with the IOR Pioneer Award.
The IOR conference at Tulsa is the world’s premier SPE meeting in the area of improved and enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
A history of enhanced oil recovery excellence
Considered a top honor among the worldwide IOR and EOR community, the award recognizes Al-Yousef’s significant achievements and successful applied research projects related to IOR, waterflooding, and EOR. He pioneered, patented, and deployed Saudi Aramco’s in-house SmartWater flooding technology; played a pivotal role in planning, developing, and implementing the EOR road map for the company; and now leads more than 50 EOR scientists, engineers, and technicians — all dedicated to the development of various EOR processes and reservoir engineering innovations.
“It is indeed a great honor to receive this award,” said Al-Yousef. “Such an achievement exemplifies the immense dedication of the team as well as support and encouragement from Saudi Aramco and EXPEC ARC over the past several years in successfully developing the SmartWater flooding idea from concept all the way to field implementation.”
Such recognition at this highly reputed SPE international conference demonstrates EXPEC ARC’s leading edge in IOR/EOR research and development. Bold undertakings, such as these by Al-Yousef, are not only supported but highly encouraged at EXPEC ARC.
Author of more than 60 papers, Al-Yousef holds eight patents and has received the Saudi Aramco CEO Excellence Award for his research. In 2011, he also received the ADIPEC Best Oil and Gas Innovation and Technology Award in the Middle East/North Africa region for the SmartWater flooding approach.