Biography (English)

Visionary, results-driven, and innovative professional, with solid background in petroleum engineering focus on reservoir management, reservoir simulation, upstream development strategy and reserves assessment. Far-sighted, forward-thinker and preeminent consultant of energy markets and economics. Expert at formulating and executing business development frameworks, and implementing business growth tactics to ensure bottom-line results. Recognized for proven research, analytical, and leadership skills in solving complex problems, tackling challenges, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve set goals.

Biography

Dr. Saud M. Al-Fattah was a Corporate Consultant (retired) of Strategy & Market Analysis (S&MA) at Saudi Aramco. He was Director of Global Energy Markets and Economics at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC). He was also a visiting professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM).

Saud had been with Saudi Aramco for nearly 35 years (inclusive of educational leaves) working in various organizations of the company including departments of Domestic Analysis and Global Analysis (S&MA), Reservoir Management, Upstream Development Strategy and Reserves, Integrated Fields Development Studies (iSolutions), and Petroleum Engineering Applications. During his career, Saud has held several professional and leadership positions. He was the team lead of the development of Abqaiq gas-cap oil field using horizontal wells technology in 1995-1997, being the first Saudi field of this type to be developed using this newly introduced technology that added a new increment to Saudi Aramco’s maximum sustainable capacity. Above and beyond providing and applying sound reservoir management practices, Saud presented enhanced reservoir management practices, developed drilling and production development strategies, and contributed to authoring Upstream production outlooks and business/operational plans. Saud made contributions in several integrated oil and gas fields development studies including Shaybah, Safaniyah, Hawtah, Abqaiq Hanifa reservoir, Manifa, and Abqaiq north-nose field. Saud was a member of, the industry’s most advanced reservoir simulator, POWERS development support team providing performance improvements, enhancements, new features, benchmarking, and modeling consultations.

Seconded from Saudi Aramco (2008-2013), Saud was Director of Global Energy Markets and Economics Research at KAPSARC. He was a pioneering member of the development team of KAPSARC in which he played a pivotal role and made significant contributions in the development of the Center’s research agenda and programs, the management and execution of research projects, development of human capital programs, recruitment activities, strategic collaboration projects, and business frameworks development. Saud established KAPSARC Visiting Professorship Program, developed collaborative MOUs, and contributed in the formation of the International Advisory Council and Board of Trustees.

Saud joined S&MA in 2013 where he worked in several projects in the Domestic Analysis Department (DAD) and Global Analysis Department (GAD). He authored and co-authored the 2014-2018 Saudi Aramco business plan, 2014 Domestic Energy Outlook, 2015 Global Energy Outlook, the first Saudi Aramco Energy Technology Outlook at S&MA, energy policy studies, critical energy-related deep dives, and quality publishable papers. Saud developed a comprehensive organizational development proposal for the establishment of a new “Energy Technology Outlook Group” within S&MA in 2014. Saud also developed robust demand and supply outlook models including econometric demand outlook models for Saudi Arabia petroleum refined products, and global natural gas supply outlook using his own forecasting approach. Saud developed several innovative ideas most notably of which are: Intelligent Global Energy Market Analytics Center (iMarket), an Accredited Capacity-Building Program (ACBP), and Safety, Security, and Health Awareness Campaign. Moreover, Saud developed a new initiative called the Authenticated Business Code Document (ABCD), and proposed amendments to the job titles of S&MA professionals’ category. Saud developed successful applications of artificial intelligence (AI) for energy markets and economics including crude oil demand outlook, oil price volatility, and gasoline demand predictive analytics. Saud also proposed an initiative calling for the establishment and embracing of a world-class event called, Saudi Aramco Energy and Economic Dialogue (SAEED), aimed to be a Saudi Aramco flagship event of global energy markets and economics in the Middle East region and the world.

Saud holds one U.S. patent, has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and conference proceedings, and authored and co-authored three books. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) and Arab Energy Club. Saud is a certified and accredited as “Petroleum Consultant”, the highest rank by Saudi Council of Engineers.

Saud is a technical editor/reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals. These are the SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, SPE Economics and Management, Energy Policy, Petroleum Science and Engineering, Natural Gas Science and Engineering, and Fuels. Saud was vice chairman (2006) and chairman (2007) of the SPE Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium. He was also a member of the organizing and technical committees, and a key speaker of the 2011 first KAPSARC Energy Dialogue, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saud earned his Ph.D. (cumma cum laude, 2000) from Texas A&M University, and M.Sc. (cumma cum laude, 1994) and B.Sc. degrees (cum laude, 1992) from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), all in petroleum engineering. He also holds an Executive MBA degree (magna cum laude, 2012) with focus in Economics and Strategy Management from Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU), Saudi Arabia. In addition, He is a graduate of the 2015 program “Politics and Economics of International Energy,” by Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po.