Saudi Aramco and AOC’s strong partnerships with Shell highlighted at ‘Saudi Day’
March 7, 2011
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands — A delegation from Aramco Overseas Company, including the chief representatives from AOC’s satellite offices and Ahmed M. Alzayyat, AOC’s managing director, visited the headquarters of Shell on March 7 for “Saudi Day.”
Ahmed M. Alzayyat, Shell’s Matthias Bischel and representatives from the Saudi Embassy in the Netherlands smile together during “Saudi Day” at Shell headquarters.
“Saudi Day” was an educational event primarily designed to introduce Shell employees who have extensive work contact with Saudi Arabia to the culture, history and customs of the country. The event also included speeches and presentations by Matthias Bischel, Shell’s director of Projects and Technology, and Ceri Powell, Shell’s executive vice president of Exploration, who discussed not only their own experiences in the Kingdom but also Shell’s joint ventures with AOC and Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia and around the world.
“[Shell] places great value on [the] mutually-beneficial relationships” it has in Saudi Arabia, Bischel stated. He noted that the energy industry is “embarking on a new era” that necessitates these “close, long-term partnerships based on shared interests and values and a combined approach to meeting common challenges.” Powell echoed Bischel’s words, stating that there can be no more “solitary entities in this field.”
In his speech, Alzayyat affirmed that Shell and Saudi Aramco have a “common goal of making new strides in energy advancement and sustainability,” while continuing their “longstanding – and outstanding – record in the field of resource development.” He said this goal will only be accomplished by “working together and strengthening ties,” adding, “It is important to AOC and Saudi Aramco that those with whom it works come to know … Saudi Arabia and [its] story of oil discovery.”
Meshal Anazi, chief representative from AOC Singapore, stated that the partnerships between Shell and Saudi Aramco are “great” and “based on long-term agreements in different areas.” He was also “amazed by the number of Shell management [officials] who know the details of Saudi Arabian culture.”
Due to the combined efforts of Shell’s Omar Raffii, AOC’s Martin Wingrove, AOC’s PR Department, Shell’s Middle East & North Africa Network colleagues, and the strong history of teamwork and innovation between Shell and AOC/Saudi Aramco, the event proved to be informative and interesting for all involved.
