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Mohamed Al Harthy, one of the first generation of Omani petroleum geologists and a pivotal member of the rapidly growing Geological Society of Oman, has an infectious enthusiasm and passion for geology, retained as he has risen through the ranks of Petroleum Development Oman.
"How can anyone born in Oman not be interested in geology? It surrounds us, it's everywhere we look! Oman is geology!" Mohamed Al Harthy, Gas Exploration Manager with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), and a founder member of the Geological Society of Oman, tries to explain his initial and abiding fascination for the subject.
"I was always interested in ‘how' and ‘why', even as a little boy," he continues. "I suppose I have an inquisitive mind, so I wanted to know how the rocks I saw all around me were created and why they take different shapes, forms and colours. My first contact with oil industry was through my father, who worked for PDO, though he was not a geologist; he helped me find summer vacation work in the company. I soon realised that geology is the vital discipline in the search for hydrocarbons and determined on a career in that area."
Mohamed is one of the first generation of Omani geologists who, having trained abroad, came home to practise their skills in Oman. He soon realised that, despite the fact that the country's largest resource is its petroleum and minerals, it lacked an organisation to bring together the geological community to discuss and share knowledge on geoscience matters. In the late 1990's he put together a written proposal to establish a Geological Society of Oman.
"My initial proposal was instrumental in preparing and outlining the vision and mission and in setting strategic goals. It took a few years, but eventually in 2001 we set up the Society.
"There must have been a need for this society, because it grew very rapidly and we now have several hundred members, of all nationalities, many retaining their membership when they leave the country. We publish regularly and all our publications are in English as well as Arabic, because English is the traditional language for geology, and we want to attract a wide pool of geoscientists." Mohamed adds, "I would like to convey my sincere and special thanks to the GSO (Geological Society of Oman) Excom members and to the presidents with whom I worked closely, including Dr Hisham Al-Siyabi, the first GSO president, Dr Omar Al-Jaadi, the second president and Dr Mohamed Al-Mazrui, the third and current president, all of whom have shown great leadership and dedication."
"Through the GSO we want to encourage a love of science and nature, particularly in our young people, so we organise workshops for teachers and we visit schools throughout the country, even in remote areas of the interior."
"The society organises monthly talks and regular geological field trips for members and, on request, we organise courses for oil companies. GSO is a not-for-profit organisation and its success depends on the support and encouragement of all, particularly oil and gas companies and service organisations. Attracting the best geoscientists is a global challenge, but I really do believe that the existence of a society such as the GSO, which has a rapidly growing reputation, has been, and will continue to be, a great asset to Oman."
The Geological Society of Oman is obviously very appreciative of the work Mohamed has undertaken on their behalf. Having been awarded medals for outstanding service in 2004 and 2005, in 2006 he was made one of only 4 honorary life members of the Society.
Despite the achievements of his life so far, Mohamed obviously feels that there are still many things left to do, to encourage and to develop. He speaks passionately about the need to increase the level of research and knowledge of the earth sciences. "In this part of the world, we must undertake more public research. We also need to be more open with data, as it is vital to exchange information on a country to country and company to company basis. Knowledge is the universal birthright of mankind. Major regional conferences such as Geo 2008 are helpful, but we still need to dig deeper for data."
Mohamed Al Harthy is a keen field geologist. "I believe that every rock has a story, and field outcrops are an open library, giving the geologist the opportunity to read, understand and integrate the individual stories into an understanding of the comprehensive geological history of an area. Our present knowledge of geosciences is rooted in careful field observations. Even with the advent of technologies such as seismic, gravity and magnetic sensing and satellite imagery, field-based geology remains the bedrock of the science and the student of geology must have a strong background in field observation. A lot of oil and gas has been found by means of geological field work."
Mohamed is seen here studying rock sequences as part of a salt dome play in the Ghaba Salt Basin in Central Oman. Photo: Khalil
"I think that all countries in the area have a joint responsibility to build and put into practice strategies to realize the potential advantages of digital information for present and future generations. Access to readily available digital data and new technologies for information integration and knowledge innovation will influence the free and productive development of societies in the region and around the world. Providing ready and open access to the vast and growing collections of digital information is the key to understanding and responding to the complex earth system phenomena that influence human survival."
"We must become much more open to information between countries and companies to advance our regional understanding and capture the larger picture - geology doesn't stop at country borders, after all."
"It takes professional skill to unravel the regional geological puzzle, but scientists need data to constrain their assumptions and calibrate their concepts. I strongly believe that better data availability will enable scientists to make the advancements needed to verify, refine and improve our models of the earth and thus reduce geological uncertainties and mitigate technical and economic risks. It goes without saying that all parties involved in data exchange must work together to share the information with the world community, while respecting intellectual property rights and security constraints."
Mohamed looks at the future of the hydrocarbon industry, both internationally and in his own country, and sees interesting challenges ahead. "Hydrocarbons are non-renewable: each barrel produced is one less underground. In other words, exploration is a victim of its own success. This is a challenge, but we are increasing our knowledge and expertise throughout the industry, and every day we develop new technologies which help mitigate risk and uncertainty. Facing these challenges is what makes the job so exciting."
"Here in Oman we know that we have plenty of remaining reserves, but the big, obvious and shallow structures have been discovered. We will need better imaging tools and other techniques to search out the hidden traps containing the remaining hydrocarbons. We also need to work with international companies to bring in and adopt new technologies."
"However, technology is only part of it - it is important never to underestimate either local knowledge or the power of the human brain."
Mohamed Al Harthy is a very successful and well respected geologist, yet he retains a wonderful enthusiasm for the subject which still fascinates him, and a great eagerness to infect others with this passion. He devotes huge energy to the proliferation of ideas and the development of the sciences of geology and petroleum exploration in the Middle East, having participated in many international conferences as either presenter or session chair. Within Oman, Mohamed has featured in national newspapers, magazines, radio and television promoting the importance of geology and geosciences in general and in particular in the field of oil and gas exploration and production, as well as participating in climate and environmental discussions.
"I love debating and discussing the issues which excite me," he explains, "and I enjoy helping other people to understand the amazing scenery which surrounds them in Oman. I thoroughly enjoy geology and love the fact that I can relate to it and see it all around me wherever I go. Even my wife looks at the mountains differently now - they are not just rocks any more!"
Petroleum Development OmanExploration for oil in Oman was initiated in 1937 when the ruler gave the Iraq Petroleum Company permission to set up a subsidiary in Oman, which eventually became known as Petroleum Development (Oman). The first well, Fahud 1, was not drilled until 1956, but proved dry, and commercial oil was discovered in 1962 at Yibal in the north of the country. By 1967 Oman had become an oil exporter. In the 1970's the oil fields in central Oman came on stream, followed by the southern fields in the next decade, and by 1995 oil production through PDO was over 800,000 bopd. Since then the company's production has risen to a peak of more than a million barrels of oil equivalent in 2001, with an increasing concentration in recent years in the exploitation of gas and condensate reserves and in enhanced oil recovery techniques. PDO accounts for more than 70% of the country's oil production and nearly all of its natural gas supply. The Oman Government, under the present ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, acquired a 60% stake in the company in 1974. The Shell Group has a 34% interest, with Total and Partex owning 4% and 2% respectively. Over the years the company has drilled more than 3,700 wells and developed about 120 fields. |
Updated: 02.04.2008 15:34 by Alf Kvassheim
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