ARAMCO AND STC UNVEIL DAMMAM 7 SUPERCOMPUTER TO ADVANCE OIL EXPLORATION

Aramco and stc have announced the launch of Dammam 7, a new supercomputer among the top ten most powerful in the world. The supercomputer presents new opportunities in both exploration and development and enhances Aramco’s decision-making on exploration and investment decisions. This is the next step in Aramco’s digital transformation, complementing a suite of advanced technologies that are reshaping core operations, driving efficiencies and reinforcing its industry leadership in geoscience.

Developed at Dhahran Techno Valley in partnership with Solutions, a subsidiary of stc Group, and CRAY, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise subsidiary, Dammam 7 has 55.4 petaflops of peak computing power, allowing it to process and image the world’s largest geophysical datasets.

The Dammam 7 supercomputer, named after the first oil well discovered in Saudi Arabia, will push beyond the traditional boundaries of exploration and production through cutting edge technology. Sophisticated imaging and its deep-learning algorithms will allow it to run very detailed 3D earth models, improving the Company’s ability to discover and recover oil and gas while reducing exploration and development risks. It will further enhance decision-making for exploration and development of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources, as well as guide future investments in production and resource allocation.

"Investment in innovative technology is an essential enabler of our long-term growth strategy, and Dammam 7 is another step in our plan to invest in the right technology that drives efficiency and resilience." - Amin H. Nasser, President & CEO of Aramco

Aramco President & CEO, Amin H. Nasser, said: "The Dammam 7 supercomputer is named after the first commercial oil well discovered in 1938. It will help us with breakthroughs as part of our long term “Discovery and Recovery” strategy in our Upstream business. This technology that processes complex data faster will enable new discoveries and enhanced recoveries, which are crucial to both ensuring the availability of adequate supply to meet the demand for energy and to cut costs while boosting productivity. Investment in innovative technology is an essential enabler of our long-term growth strategy, and Dammam 7 is another step in our plan to invest in the right technology that drives efficiency and resilience."

stc Group CEO, Nasser S. Al-Nasser, said: "The inauguration of the supercomputer data center in Aramco will open up new horizons in exploration, which will have a significant impact on data digitization and quality. These are in line with the digital transformation plans of the desired national outlook, and we are proud to have worked with locals to establish Dammam 7 Center."

"We are at an advanced stage of developing futuristic technologies that convert crude oil directly into petrochemicals, including our flagship Catalytic Crude to Chemicals process. And we are developing new, cutting-edge, non-metallic materials, whose production emits far less carbon, for use in sectors like construction, housing, and renewables." - Amin H. Nasser, President & CEO of Aramco

About Aramco

We’re a leading producer of the energy and chemicals that drive global commerce and enhance the daily lives of people around the globe. From our proven upstream capabilities and our strategically integrated global downstream network, to our cutting edge sustainability technologies, we have created an unsurpassed value engine that places us in a category all our own. We believe in the power of energy to transform lives, enhance communities, advance human progress, and sustain our planet.

With global population forecast to increase by two billion over the next 25 years, even more energy will be required to meet rising demand. It will take all available sources of energy to fill this need — both legacy and alternative sources. And while alternative energy sources are steadily making advances, they will not be capable of meeting future demand alone. Even as we transition to a low emissions future, hydrocarbon-based energy sources will be counted on to meet the bulk of the world’s energy demand well into the future. We’re committed to driving energy efficiency and addressing the global emissions challenge. And as the world's largest integrated oil and gas company, we believe we are uniquely qualified to make effective contributions to the overall solution.

For more information, please visit: www.aramco.com