Table of Contents
1. Training Program
Seminar on “Environmental Management in the Refinery” Held at TAKREER (UAE) ......................................... 1
Seminar on “Energy Saving in the Refinery” Held at TAKREER (UAE)....................................................................... 3
Customized Program on “Human Resource Management (HRM)”
in Kuwait (KNPC) and UAE (TAKREER)................................................................................................................................. 7“Refinery Plant Maintenance Seminar” Held in UAE (TAKREER)............................................................................. 11
Report on the Cooperation with Training Centers Program ................................................................................... 13

2. Technical Cooperation
Fish Reef Completion Ceremony “Application Study of Sulfur Concrete Technology in UAE”.................... 16
Commencement of the TAKREER Research Centre Project, Phase II .................................................................... 18
Commencement of a New JCCP Project with UAE ..................................................................................................... 20
Completion Ceremony for “Application Study of Sulfur Concrete Technology” in UAE ................................ 22
Support for the Establishment of TAKREER Research Center in UAE ................................................................... 25
Signing Ceremony for the Joint Project on Removal of Acid Gases
from Natural Gas Using Membrane Contactors (Phase II) ....................................................................................... 27
Project on Flare Gas Recovery from Oil Refining Facilities in the UAE ................................................................. 29
The Tenth Scientific Council Meeting with UAE University Held in Al Ain ......................................................... 30
The Ninth Scientific Council Meeting Held with UAE University ........................................................................... 32
The Sixth Scientific Council Meeting with UAE University Held in Al Ain .......................................................... 34

3. International Cooperation
The 28th JCCP International Symposium ...................................................................................................................... 35
The 27th JCCP International Symposium ...................................................................................................................... 41
The 26th JCCP International Symposium ...................................................................................................................... 47
The 18th Joint GCC-Japan Environment Symposium ............................................................................................... 52
The 17th Joint GCC-Japan Environment Symposium ............................................................................................... 55
The 16th Joint GCC-Japan Environment Symposium ............................................................................................... 59
Courtesy Visit with H.E. Mr. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef, CEO of ADNOC ................................................................. 62
Visits to Southeast Asia and the Middle Eastby Mr. Sase, Executive Director of JCCP ................................... 63
H.E. Dr. Maitha Al-Shamsi, UAE Minister of State, Visits Japan................................................................................ 67
Mr. Kojima, Executive Director of JCCP, Visits the Middle East................................................................................ 71
Mr. Katsuo Yokoyama, Managing Director of JCCP, Visits the Middle East ......................................................... 76
Survey of Downstream Trends in UAE and Qatar ........................................................................................................ 82

Cover photo by Mr. Shoichiro Yagi, General Manager, Middle East Office, JCCP

Personnel
Exchange

Seminar on “Environmental
Management in the Refinery”
Held at TAKREER (UAE)
1. BackgroundAs requested by Abu Dhabi Oil refining Company(TAKREER) in UAE, JCCP held a seminar on“Energy Saving in the Refinery” last spring, followed
by a seminar on “Environmental Management in the
Refinery” this past November.

2. Seminar Overview
The seminar was held over a period of four days, from
November 22 to 25, 2009, at Le Royal Meridien Hotelin Abu Dhabi. The Japanese seminar team consistedof two lecturers from JCCP’s Training Department,
K. Kamijyo and S. Satake, and two external lecturers,
Mr. Tetsuro I from JGC Corporation and Mr. Masaaki
Sakurai from Toyo Engineering Corporation.
The majority of the participants were from the
Ruwais and Abu Dhabi Refineries, but there wasalso a participant from the head office, and a female
participant among the members from the Abu Dhabi
Refinery.

3. Details of the SeminarOn the first day, a brief lecture was initially given

Seminar participantson “Introduction of JCCP.” This was followed bylectures on “Environmental Strategies of Japanese
Oil Companies” and “Clean Fuel and Heavy
Oil Upgrading Technologies.” The first lecture
discussed the history of pollution in Japan andenvironmental regulations imposed on Japaneserefineries, as well as the social responsibility ofoil companies and their commitment to global
environmental conservation. The second lecture
introduced initiatives that have been implemented
by Japanese oil companies to produce sulfur-freefuel for the first time in the world, and outlined
their approaches to heavy oil upgrading. The
second day’s lecture covered various air pollution
prevention technologies, with an emphasis on SOx
and NOx treatment facilities. The participants
seemed especially interested in the description ofultra low-NOx burners that use fuel gas as fuel. On
the third day, wastewater management in refineries
was discussed in terms of technologies for primary
treatment to advanced treatment, and by providing
case examples of wastewater treatment measures
employed by Japanese refineries. On the last dayof the program, the participants divided into twogroups, the Ruwais Refinery group and the Abu
Dhabi Refinery group, and discussed environmental

Group discussions
Front table: Ruwais Reﬁnery
Rear table: Abu Dhabi Reﬁnery
JCCP NEWS No. 106 March 20101

issues they face in their respective refineries. Time
constraints unfortunately prevented them fromengaging in deep discussions, but the members ofeach group seemed to share a deep sense of common
understanding of the issues.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks toeveryone and all companies who gave us their timeand cooperation in the seminar.
<by Kazuyoshi Kamijyo, Training Dept.>

4. Reﬂections
At the end of the seminar, the participants wereasked to provide their impressions and opinions of
the seminar. They evaluated the seminar as extremely
meaningful, and said they would like to participate
in a JCCP regular course in the future. In the closing
seminar, Mr. Jamshid Khan, Senior Safety & FireEngineer, and Mr. Ahmed Al Gattan, Training &Career Development Department manager, took
their time to deliver closing statements, and Mr.
Anwar M. G. Al Mutawa, Senior Training Officer,
also expressed words of appreciation to JCCP.

2

A TAKREER environmental management
manager (center) witnessing the presentation of thecompletion certiﬁcate

JCCP NEWS No. 106 March 2010

Personnel
Exchange

Seminar on “Energy Saving in the Refinery”
Held at TAKREER (UAE)
1. Background to the Seminar(3)

UAE is one of the most important countries toJapan in securing a stable supply of crude oil. It also
plays a leading role in the Middle East, particularlyin the introduction of renewable energies as the next
major energy source following crude oil.
In response to JCCP’s promotion of Customized
Programs-Overseas (CPO) that are specificallydesigned based on a survey of training needs inmajor oil-producing countries, Abu Dhabi Oil
Refining Company (TAKREER) has requested
the implementation of a CPO on energy saving in
spring and another on environmental managementin autumn. After working out the details andschedule of the programs, we held the first of thetwo programs that are planned to be implemented
during the present fiscal year.

(4)

2. Overview of the Seminar
(1)

(2)

Name
TAKREER-JCCP Joint Seminar on Energy
Saving in Refinery (CPO-21-09)
Date
June 28 – July 2, 2009

Location
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Lecturers<Lecturers from the JCCP Training Dept.>i)
Tetsuji Kubotaii) Shigeyoshi Takahashi<Outside lecturers>iii) Mr. Hisato Aoyama, Senior SalesManager, Heavy Oil Project, Global
Marketing, JGC Corporationiv) Mr. Mitsuru Sugihara, Foreman,
Administration Section No.1, Tokuyama
Refinery, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.

3. Details of the Seminar
Japan has a long history in energy conservation.
Especially since 1979, when the Act on the Rational
Use of Energy (Energy Saving Law) came into
effect in the wake of the second global oil crisis, theentire nation has shown consistent efforts to saveenergy. Therefore, we organized this seminar withhopes that Japan’s history and experience in energy
conservation could be of some use in promoting
energy-saving activities in the Middle East.

Seminar participants and JCCP-side lecturers

JCCP NEWS No. 105 October 20093

Presentation by a participant

Lecture scenes

The seminar covered the following topics:
Day 1: Japan’s Oil Industry
Alternative Energies to Oil
Energy Saving in Japan
Energy Saving in the Refinery
Day 2: Energy Saving in the Refinery 1 (Operational
Management, Small Investments)
Pinch Technology
Day 3: Energy Saving in the Refinery 2 (Large
Investments)
New Energy Saving Technologies
Day 4: Group Discussion on Energy Saving in the
WorkplaceDay 5: Energy Saving Using the Computer
Actual Examples of Optimization Using
Computers
TAKREER operates two refineries: the largescale Ruwais Refinery and the Abu Dhabi Refinery
situated adjacent to Abu Dhabi City. They use
a simple hydro-skimming facility that requires
few secondary devices to process light crude oil
produced in UAE, including Murban crude. We
understand that they have rated favorably in manyof the categories of the Solomon Survey. Following
the completion of a JCCP technical cooperation
project on flare gas recovery, the refineries haveactively promoted energy-saving measures, andare now two of the most advanced refineries in the
Middle East.
From the above two refineries, 14 experts,
including 2 women, attended the seminar held
recently.

4. Overview of Lectures
As a new initiative, we added a group discussion
4

session to our conventional program on energy
saving. We divided the participants into groups andhad each group discuss energy-saving efforts intheir workplace. We then asked all groups to delivera presentation on the issues, future direction, andother specific aspects of energy-saving activities.
Through the group discussion session, we hoped
to provide a forum where participants could gain
practical ideas and hints that would benefit their
future work.
(1) Day 1: Energy Saving in Japan
Following an introduction of JCCP and Japan’s
oil industry and a lecture on alternative energies,
we delivered a lecture on Japan’s history andcountermeasures for energy saving, and another on
the global warming issue and energy saving in therefinery, as scheduled. Though the lectures covered
a lot of content in a short time, they seemed to bewell received by all participants.
The lectures emphasized the following threepoints: (1) energy saving is a global commitmentthat contributes to solving environmental issues; (2)Japan’s energy conservation activities are jointly
implemented by the public and private sectors; and(3) small-group activities should form the basis ofenergy saving in refineries. The third point on smallgroup activities, in particular, seemed to capture theavid attention of the participants as an issue thatpertains directly to them.
(2) Day 2: Energy Saving in the Reﬁnery 1(Operational Improvement, Small
Investments) / Pinch Technology
In the first half of the second day’s program, we
discussed specific examples of operational changes
and improvements in Japanese refineries that do not

JCCP NEWS No. 105 October 2009

require capital investment, again with an emphasison small-group activities, TPM, and other uniqueinitiatives developed in Japan.
In the latter half of the program, we introduced
pinch technology, a tool that is used to analyze
system design in the rearrangement of a heatexchanger. We also covered topics that provided afoundation for studying specific cases the next day
at a refinery.
(3) Day 3: Energy Saving in the Reﬁnery 2(Large Investments) / New Energy Saving
Technologies
On the third day, we explained about capital
investment projects for energy conservation that are
being implemented in refineries, and the profit ofsuch projects. In response to lectures on the plot andlayout of actual heat exchangers and the reliability
and safety of additional equipment, the participantsalso introduced their experiences at TAKREER.
JCCP lecturers and TAKREER participants thus
actively exchanged opinions and engaged ininteractive discussions with each other.
In the latter half of the day’s program, wetalked about the introduction status of the latest
equipment in refineries, and proceeded to describing
the details of such equipment. Since there werea number of power plant engineers among theparticipants, we hastily arranged a lecture on IGCC
(Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle), which
captured the participants’ attention and gained theirappreciation.
Information on high-efficiency heat exchangers
that incorporate the latest technologies was also asource of strong interest among the participants.
(4) Day 4: Group Discussion on Energy Savingin the Workplace
On the fourth day, we provided a forum forgroup discussions on designated energy-saving
issues. Adopting a method commonly used in TQM,
TPM, and various other management practices,each group identified a specific issue they face intheir workplace, analyzed its causes, and gave apresentation on improvement measures or future
visions regarding that issue.

As a summary of the constructive ideas thatemerged from the discussions, we emphasized
four important points and then wrapped up thesession. The four points were: (1) the developmentof operators who read manuals carefully and think
for themselves; (2) encouragement of small-group
activities; (3) the necessity of risk management
when considering an operational change; and (4)constant efforts to make improvements using the
PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle.
After the final discussion session, many
participants articulated their appreciation of theseminar. By participating in the seminar, theysaid they obtained knowledge and information
for resolving problem areas in their workplace,and were inspired by the exchange of views withparticipants from fields other than their own.
The stronger-than-expected positive feedback
from the participants has in turn inspired us toincorporate such discussion sessions in otherseminars as well.
(5) Day 5: Energy Saving Using the Computer /Examples of Optimization Using Computers
In the first part of the day’s lecture on energy
saving using the computer, we provided thebasics of PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative)
control, MPC (Model Predictive Control), APC(Advanced Predictive Control, and RTO (RealTime Optimization). We explained their differences
and introduction methods in an easy-to-understandmanner in relation to the various controls needed todrive a car, as an example.

Presentation of the completion certiﬁcate

JCCP NEWS No. 105 October 20095

In the second part of the lecture, we introduceda case example in which APC was introduced
to optimize operations in response to changes inneeds regarding multi-boiler and power generator
utility systems. In the example, the introduction of
APC also contributed to reducing the manpower
needed to switch between steam, electricity, andfuel operations.

5. Reﬂections
At the end of the seminar, the participants wereasked to fill in an evaluation sheet and give theirimpressions and opinions of the seminar. As a result,
we received many opinions concerning the group
discussion session. It was the first attempt of its kindfor us lecturers, but it was a new experience for theparticipants as well. They said that the opportunity
to hold a discussion with members from the same
workplace, followed by a discussion with groups ofparticipants from other workplaces, was extremelyinteresting and meaningful.
At the closing ceremony, we received kind words
of appreciation from Mr. Ahmed Herzallah, Senior
Career Development Officer, and Mr. Anwar M.
G. Al Mutawa, Senior Training Officer. (Mr. Al
Mutawa is also the gentleman who undertook allof the necessary preparations for the seminar as ourcounterpart in TAKREER.) Mr. Ahmed M. Al Gattan,
Director, Training & Career Development, also
attended the ceremony to confirm the participants’reaction to the seminar, and both the TAKREER
and JCCP sides were gratified by the participant’s
extremely high evaluations of the seminar.
The participants, many of whom attended a JCCP
program for the first time through this seminar,

Mr. Ahmed M. Al Gattan, Director,
Training & Career Development (seated center),at the TAKREER Head Ofﬁce

expressed their wish to also attend a JCCP regularcourse in the future.
After the seminar, we visited the TAKREERHead Office to assess the results of the seminar anddiscuss future plans. We also paid a courtesy callon the Japanese Embassy in UAE, where we gave areport on the seminar, as well as received invaluable
information on current issues in Abu Dhabi.
In sum, the recent seminar convinced us thatthe continuous implementation of joint seminars
with TAKREER would further strengthen our
two organizations’ long-standing relationship andcontribute to enhancing mutual understanding.
Duly realizing that the implementation ofsuch seminars is made possible by JCCP member
companies and cooperating companies inside andoutside of Japan, we would like to extend our
deepest appreciation to everyone who gave us theircooperation in the planning of the recent seminarthrough to its implementation.
<by Tetsuji Kubota, Training Dept.>

6

JCCP NEWS No. 105 October 2009

Personnel
Exchange

Customized Program on“Human Resource Management (HRM)”
in Kuwait (KNPC) and UAE (TAKREER)
In October and November 2008, JCCP implemented a Customized Program–Overseas (CPO) on humanresource management (HRM) intended for Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) in Kuwait and
TAKREER in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Both seminars featured the same program.

1. Overview of the Seminar
The 5-day seminars were held at hotels in Kuwait
and Abu Dhabi. Following a general introductionof HRM under the heading, “Transitions and Status
Quo of Japanese-style HRM,” one day each wasspent on more details of HRM practices applied
by a Japanese oil company and an engineering
company. In addition to the general introduction
and details of HRM, another day was allotted to
topics in “Kaizen,” namely, “General Overview ofKaizen” and “Introductions of Kaizen Examples
in Refineries,” as requested by the counterpart
organizations. These lectures were provided as an
aspect of personnel education, from the approachof “cultivating a Kaizen mind.”

2. Seminar Program
The seminar was organized as follows:[Day 1, Day 2] “Transitions and the Status Quoof Japanese-style HRM”
Two days were spent on a general discussionof the main theme of the seminar, divided into 4
parts: (1) Japanese history and Japanese mentality;(2) Traditional Japanese-style HRM system; (3)Environmental changes surrounding Japanesesociety and companies today; and (4) Issues andfuture direction of HRM in Japanese companies.
[Day 3] “HRM System of Nippon Petroleum
Refining Co., Ltd.”A detailed description was given of the company’s
HRM system, in reference to its ability assessment

and performance-based compensation systems,
which were newly adopted when the company
revamped its HRM system in 2002.
[Day 4] “HRM System of JGC Corporation”
The engineering company’s current HRM
system was comprehensively examined, including
its performance-based personnel, recruitment,
and evaluation systems, which were introduced tothe company several years ago in response to thegeneral trend of the times.
[Day 5] “General Overview of Kaizen” and“Kaizen Examples in Refineries”
This session was intentionally designed to firstprovide a general overview of the concept of Kaizenprior to introducing Kaizen examples in refineries.
It invited participants to consider the meaning of
Kaizen and examine the unique “Kaizen mind” ofthe Japanese people, by explaining the process of
implementing Kaizen activities, the “5S” as a means
to achieving Kaizen, and the “Toyota method” as a
successful example of continuous Kaizen efforts.
The session finally expounded on what is necessaryfor entrenching the Kaizen mind in the workplace.
In a closer examination, specific examples of
Kaizen that Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. has actuallyadopted in its refinery were introduced, with theaddition of examples of other companies, in UAE.
Visuals were used to provide easy comparison
between “before” and “after” implementation of
Kaizen, in an easy-to-understand presentation.
The good combination of general and detailed
discussions seemed well received and appreciatedby all participants.

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 20097

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Participants of the seminar (excluding the 5 female participants)

1. Background

2. Dates of Implementation

In February 2008, JCCP members Mr. Hisayoshi
Tanda, then Operations Manager, and Mr. Shigeyoshi
Takahashi, Lecturer, embarked on a promotional
tour of CPO and CPJ programs in the Middle
East region. During their visit to TAKREER, theyreceived a request for a 5-day HRM seminar as a
FY2008 CPO program. Thereafter, members of
JCCP’s Training Department and the TAKREER
side held working discussions on the specificcontent and schedule of the program, and agreed
to conduct the CPO in November 2008.

Seminar venue

8

November 9–13, 2008

3. Lecturers
Akio Hoshino (JCCP Training Dept.)
Shinichi Satake (JCCP Training Dept.)
Hitoshi Miyasaki (Personnel Department,
Nippon Oil Corporation)
Nobutaka Nohara (Personnel Department,
JGC Corporation)

Opening address by Mr. Ahmed Gattan, Director,
Training & Career Development

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 2008

Mr. Hitoshi Miyasaki
from Nippon Oil Corporation

Mr. Nobutaka Nohara
from JGC Corporation

4. Summary of the Seminar(1) The seminar was attended by 21 participants.
About half were personnel in charge of humanresources in the Head Office, and the other half
were staff from TAKREER’s two refineries,
and included a number of engineers. Fiveparticipants were women.
(2) Mr. Ahmed Gattan, Director, Training & Career
Development, kindly delivered a speech atboth the opening and closing ceremonies.
Other members of the department, namely,
Mr. Ahmed Herzallah, Senior Officer, and Mr.
Anwar Mutawa, our counterpart in TAKREER,
attended to us throughout our stay in Abu

Thank-you speech by one of theparticipants

Dhabi, and lavished warm hospitality andconsideration on us on behalf of TAKREER.
(3) It seems that the concept of the “Kaizen mind”
was new to the participants. They did not leave
their seats during the 3-hour lecture on thegeneral overview of Kaizen, but listened to thelecture with strong interest.
(4) In the closing ceremony, one of the participants
gave a heartwarming thank-you speech on
behalf of his fellow participants. Moreover,during our visit to the TAKREER Head Officeprior to our departure, Mr. Herzallah informed
us that the seminar met with high acclaim
among the entire staff, which indicated to us
TAKREER’s strong expectations and feelingsof gratitude to JCCP.

5. Visit to the Japanese Embassy
in UAE, the TAKREER Head Ofﬁce,
and Other Institutions

With executive personnel of the TAKREER(from third from left: Mr. Anwar Mutawa,
Mr. Ali Al-Harmoudi Sultan, Mr. Ahmed Gattan;
second from right: Mr. Ahmed Herzallah)

Japanese Embassy in UAE
The Japanese members visited the Japanese
Embassy in UAE, where they spent an hour anda half exchanging views on recent situations in
Abu Dhabi, general conditions in UAE, UAE’s
relationship with other GCC countries, andother such topics of interest, with H.E. Mr.
Takuma Hatano, Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary, and Messrs. Tomoyoshi Hisamori

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 20099

Ambassador Takuma Hatano (second from left) and
Mr. Tomoyoshi Hisamori, Secretary

At the TAKREER Head Ofﬁce; Ms. Nadia Al Romaithy,
Training Ofﬁcer (right)

and Atsunori Sato, Secretaries. The members were
especially interested to learn about the recent stateof affairs in Dubai, which had seemed to enjoy abubble economy at one time.

was a participant in a seminar held the previous
week, so they shared their frank views and requests
regarding JCCP seminars based on their personal
experiences.
The Japanese members also visited the Abu
Dhabi Offices of Nippon Oil Corporation and JGC
Corporation. At the former, they met with Mr. Baba,
Director, and Mr. Shibata, Manager, and at the latter,with Mr. Katagi, Director, and discussed national
issues and living conditions in Abu Dhabi, the stateof the economy in the Middle East, as well as othergeneral situations and current circumstances in the
Middle East as a whole.

TAKREER Head Ofﬁce
The Japanese members met with Mr. Ahmed
Herzallah, Senior Career Development Officer,
and Ms. Nadia Al Romaithy, Training Officer. Mr.
Herzallah was a participant in the FY2007 JCCP
Program Seminar (TCJ: special seminar held inJapan, inviting managerial people from oil companies
in oil-producing countries), and Ms. Al Romaithy<by Akio Hoshino, Training Dept.>

At the Nippon Oil Corporation Abu Dhabi Ofﬁce:
Mr. Baba, Director (second from right) and
Mr. Shibata, Manager (right)

10

At the JGC Corporation Abu Dhabi Ofﬁce:
Mr. Katagi, Director (center)

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 2009

Personnel
Exchange“Refinery Plant Maintenance Seminar”
Held in UAE (TAKREER)

Participants of the seminar

1. Background to the Seminar
The United Arab Emirates is the second largest
exporter of crude oil to Japan after Saudi Arabia,
accounting for a share of approximately 26%, andone of Japan’s most important countries in termsof securing stable supplies of crude oil. However,no Customized Program Overseas (CPO) has been
held in UAE since the establishment of JCCP,
except for the “Environment and Safety Seminar”
held in 2004.
In January 2008, Mr. Mikio Kojima, thenExecutive Director of JCCP, held a policy dialogue
with H.E. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef, CEO of Abu
Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), andMr. Jasem Ali Al-Sayegh, General Manager at
Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (TAKREER),
and paved the way for future implementation of
tailor-made programs in UAE. Thereafter, a JCCP
delegation composed of Mr. Hisayoshi Tanda, thenGeneral Manager of the Operations Department,
Mr. Shigeyoshi Takahashi, then-Master Lecturer of
the Training Department, and Mr. Kazuhiro Hirano,
then-General Manager of the JCCP Middle East

Office, visited TAKREER in February, to advancediscussions on the implementation of the programs.
In the meeting, JCCP counterparts Mr. Ahmed
Herzallah, Senior Career Development Officer HR& A Division, and Mr. Anwar Mahmoud Ghalib Al
Mutawa, Senior Training Officer, Training & Career
Development Dept. HR & A Division, requested aseminar on refinery plant maintenance.
As requested, JCCP held the “Refinery Plant
Maintenance Seminar” over a four-day period,
from July 21 to 24, 2008. Four MaintenanceGroup members from JCCP’s Training Department(Messrs. S. Miyawaki, K. Nakazawa, F. Tone, and
A. Higashi) lectured on pre-assigned topics related
to the theme of the seminar.

2. Overview of the Seminar
Tailor-made programs would typically be held at
a training center situated on a refinery site. However,the Refinery Plant Maintenance Seminar was heldin the conference room of the Sheraton Abu Dhabi
Hotel, due to refinery security policies. Mr. Abed
Nasser Al Ameri, Manager of the Maintenance

JCCP NEWS No. 102 November 200811

Preliminary meeting on the day before the seminar

Seminar scene

Department at Abu Dhabi Refinery, participatedin the seminar, in addition to 17 engineers from
TAKREER’s Abu Dhabi and Ruwais Refineries
and pump stations.
Recent years have seen the construction of many
new buildings in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which havedramatically changed the cities’ skylines. Sheraton
Abu Dhabi, the venue of the seminar, provided
superb hospitality, and facilitated the pleasantand successful implementation of the seminar.
Also owing to thorough preparations made by the
TAKREER staff, the seminar proceeded smoothly
and accomplished its goals, as planned.

Day 2: Lecture on maintenance management at
refineries
Day 3: Lecture on safety management and TPM
activities at refineries
Day 4: Lecture on case examples of damage to static
equipment and their countermeasures
Q&A session, presentation of completion
certificates, closing ceremony

3. Details of the Seminar
The seminar mainly featured various maintenancemanagement issues and their countermeasures,
which the JCCP lecturers have experienced at
Japanese refineries. The following topics werecovered during the four days of the seminar.
Day 1: Opening ceremony, self-introductions,introduction of JCCP
Lecture on maintenance management ofrotary equipment at refineries

Mr. Abed Nasser Al Ameri, Manager, delivering theclosing address

12

Based on their vast experience in their respective
topics, the lecturers also discussed technicalimprovements that have been made at Japaneserefineries, reliability improvement activities,
awareness-raising activities, and achievements
made in those areas, and engaged the participants inan active Q&A session, which enhanced the content
of the seminar.

4. Evaluation and Impressions of the
Seminar
As a general impression of the seminar, we JCCP
lecturers sensed the participants’ strong desire to
apply even a small part of what they have learned
from the seminar to their respective workplaces, tocontribute to improving TAKREER refineries in the
future. In the evaluation forms handed out on the
final day, all of the participants indicated their wish
to participate in a JCCP regular course in Japan in
the near future, and provided bright prospects for
JCCP training activities.
Lastly, we wish to extend our sincerest
appreciation to everyone (and Mr. Anwar, inparticular) who generously gave us their time andcooperation every step of the way in the planningand implementation of the seminar.

JCCP NEWS No. 102 November 2008

<by Akio Higashi, Training Dept.>

Personnel
Exchange

Report on the Cooperation with
Training Centers Program—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Oman—
A two-member delegation from JCCP, consisting of
A. Yamanaka, General Manager, Operations Department,
and K. Kojima, Lecturer, Training Department, visited
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and Oman from February 18
to March 1, 2010 under the Cooperation with Training
Center Program.
The main objectives of the visits were to introduce
and promote the FY2010 JCCP regular course programs,
explain and discuss in detail the implementation ofcustomized programs, and exchange views with JCCP
counterparts in those countries.

Aramco and Japanese oil companies. As the training ofyoung employees is an important issue at Saudi Aramco,
the proposed program, which focuses on training young
employees, was well-received by Saudi Aramco. To
JCCP , the program would provide a means for assessing
new training needs in oil-producing countries.
Following the meeting, the delegation was shown
Saudi Aramco’s impressive laboratory, meticulously
managed to ensure safety and health.

Saudi Arabia

On February 22, the JCCP delegation visited Qatar
Petroleum (QP) and met with Mr. Mohamed Normarzuki
Bin Yaacob, Senior Supervisor, Short Tech., Corporate
Training, and his staff.
Mr. Yaacob thanked JCCP for its cooperation throughtraining programs and technical cooperation projects,
and then mentioned a few points in regard to QP’s future
participation in JCCP regular courses. He explainedthat QP was unable to send many participants overseas
last year due to the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza
virus, but plans to increase its participation this year,
given the improved situation. He also said he willconsider QP’s participation in JCCP training programs
comprehensively, in reference to JCCP member company
courses as well.
On February 23, the delegation visited the

The JCCP delegation visited Saudi Aramco’s Ras
Tanura Refinery on February 20 and held a meetingwith Mr. Mohammed A. Al-Omair, Executive Director,
Refining & NGL Fractionation, and his staff. Mr.
Al-Omair is responsible for overseeing all refineries
operated by Saudi Aramco.
After expressing his appreciation of JCCP training
programs and technical cooperation projects, Mr.
Al-Omair noted that he has recently begun requiring
participants to submit a report after completing theirtraining courses at JCCP. He also put forth a request fora Customized Program-Japan (CPJ) in fiscal 2010.
JCCP proposed the implementation of an informationexchange program between young employees of Saudi

Meeting with Mr. Mohammed A. Al-Omair, Executive Director(center), at Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura Reﬁnery

Qatar

Meeting at the QP Head Ofﬁce

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 201013

Meeting at the TASWEEQ Head Ofﬁce

Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Company(TASWEEQ) and met with Mr. Anton Bray, Marketing
Director, Condensate & Refined Products, and his staff.
TASWEEQ is wholly owned by the Qatari government,
and mainly engages in the export and sales of petroleum
products. This was the first visit made by a JCCP
delegation.
The delegation introduced JCCP and its activities,
gave an overview of the FY2010 regular course programand customized training program. They also explained
and requested TASWEEQ’s participation in the FY2010
JCCP Program Seminar (TCJ) that is scheduled to be heldin Japan this July for JCCP counterpart personnel.
Mr. Bray said he would need to discuss the possibilityof customized programs with other officers of TASWEEQ,
but wishes to implement several Customized ProgramsJapan (CPJ) and Customized Programs-Overseas (CPO)on separate occasions during the year. He also said hewould like the CPJ to be designed mainly for Qataripersonnel, in consideration of the number of participants
the program could accommodate and the duties of theparticipants, and the CPO, for all employees.

to better implement the capacity increase project planned
for the Ruwais Refinery, that TAKREER wishes to senda member to participate in the FY2010 TCJ program,and that they are thinking positively about the next VIP
invitation of JCCP.
Following the visit to TAKREER, the delegation
visited Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), andmet with Mr. Hashem Y. Al Refaei, Marketing Research& Administration Division Manager, Marketing &Refining Directorate, who participated in last year’s
JCCP International Symposium, and his staff.
Mr. Al Refaei expressed his appreciation of JCCP
training programs and technical cooperation projects, andsaid he wishes to continue sending ADNOC employees
to participate in JCCP’s FY2010 regular courses. He
also thanked the JCCP members for their proposal for
a CPJ on oil marketing and physical distribution, andpromised to make the necessary internal arrangements
to realize the program.
After the meeting, the delegation had the opportunity
to inspect a large-scale service station complex operated
by ADNOC.

At the TAKREER Head Ofﬁce

UAE
On February 24, the JCCP delegation visited Abu
Dhabi Oil Refining Company (TAKREER) to meetwith Mr. Ja’afar Salem Al-Jaberi, HR & Administration
Division Manager, Mr. Ahmed Herzallah, Senior Career
Development Officer, HR & Administration Division,and other staff members.
TAKREER thanked JCCP for its support throughtraining programs and technical cooperation projects,
and talked about several topics, such as the fact that
officers at the president’s assistant level were reshuffled

14

Meeting at the ADNOC Head Ofﬁce

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 2010

Oman
In Oman, the JCCP delegation visited Oman
Refineries and Petrochemicals Company (ORPC) on
February 28, and met with Mr. Mohammed Rabia
Al Ghailani, General Manager Corporate Support,
and his staff.
Mr. Al Ghailani has only recently been appointed
to his present position, but on welcoming the
JCCP delegation, he promptly expressed his
appreciation of JCCP training programs andtechnical cooperation projects. Because ORPC was

With Mr. Mohammed Al Ghailani, General Manager,at the ORPC Head Ofﬁce (center)founded by a merger between the former Oman
Refinery Company (ORC) and the Sohar Refinery,
Mr. Al Ghailani showed strong interest in the merger
and consolidation of Japanese oil companies.
The delegation introduced JCCP activities,
thanked ORPC for its participation in JCCP
training programs and technical cooperation
projects, gave a rundown of Oman’s past record ofparticipation in JCCP training programs, presented
an overview of FY2010 JCCP regular courses andcustomized training programs, and explained andrequested ORPC’s participation in the FY2010 TCJ
program.
The delegation learned from its recent visitsthat countries and organizations with a steadyrecord of participation in JCCP training programsand technical cooperation projects, such as Saudi
Arabia and UAE, have stronger interest not onlyin JCCP regular courses but also in CPO and CPJ
programs, and more specific requests of JCCP
training programs. JCCP takes this as a testament
to the achievements and relationships of trust thatit has established over its history of close to 30
years.
In recent years, JCCP has been concentrating its
efforts on providing even more practical training
programs than ever before, but the recent visits
made the delegation renew their awareness of thesignificance of meeting and exchanging frank views
with JCCP counterparts.
<by Kazuo Kojima, Training Dept.>

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 201015

TechnicalCooperation

Fish Reef Completion Ceremony“Application Study of Sulfur Concrete
Technology in UAE”
On August 3, 2010, JCCP and the Marine Environment
Research Center (MERC) of the UAE Ministry ofEnvironment and Water held a ceremony at the JAL Hotelin the Emirate of Fujairah, UAE, to mark the completionof an artificial fish reef under the “Application Study of
Sulfur Concrete Technology in UAE.”

1. Project Overview
Sulfur is a refinery operation by-product that isavailable in surplus. This project aims to demonstrate
how the application of this large supply of sulfur
resources could be expanded, by creating sulfur concrete
from sulfur, sand, and additives, installing artificial fish
reef blocks and sewage pipes made of sulfur concrete on
a trial basis, and examining their applicability in UAE.
Compared to regular concrete, sulfur concrete is moresalt resistant and acid resistant—properties that makeit suitable for use as fish reef blocks and sewage pipes.
To examine the applicability of sulfur concrete to
sewage pipes, a segment (approx. 80 m) of existing
pipes in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi was replaced with sulfur
concrete sewage pipes last January. The evaluation of
its applicability is presently ongoing.
To examine the applicability of sulfur concrete as
an artificial fish reef, sulfur concrete fish reef blocks
have been installed off the coast of Umm Al Quwain

last June, and off the coast of Fujairah this February.
After their installation, a large colony of pearl oysters
and numerous schools of fish have been confirmed. With
regular concrete fish reefs, the growth of algae and shells
take time, because concrete is alkaline, but since sulfur
concrete is practically neutral in alkalinity, algae andshell growth was observed soon after installation.
The fish reef blocks are being checked for any outflow
of substances, and the impact of any such outflow on theenvironment is being assessed at a MERC laboratory.
So far, no outflows to the sea or impact on fishes havebeen observed, and the safety of sulfur concrete has
been confirmed.

2. Completion Ceremony
A ceremony marking the completion of the fish reef
was held to present the proven effects of the fish reef
and to introduce JCCP activities to UAE parties.

Mr. Morihiro Yoshida, Managing Director of JCCP,
delivering a speech

Fish reef block covered with pearl oysters

16

The ceremony was held with the attendance ofDr. Ebrahim Al Jamali, Manager, MERC, Ministry ofEnvironment & Water; Mr. Soliman Al Kadem, Head of
Fujairah Fisheries Society, and others on the UAE side;and H.E. Mr. Tatsuo Watanabe, Japanese Ambassador

JCCP NEWS No. 108 January 2011

to UAE; representatives from participating Japanesecompanies Penta-Ocean Construction Co., Ltd. and JX
Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation; and Mr. Morihiro
Yoshida, Managing Director of JCCP, on the Japaneseside.

Exchanging views while browsing a wall of photosof the project

Dr. Ebrahim Al Jamali, Manager, MERC, giving a presentation
on future plans for the ﬁsh reef

Following a series of speeches by the guests of honorand sponsors of the ceremony, an overview of the project
was introduced, and technical presentations were given
regarding the installation status of the fish reefs andthe results of ensuing observations. The participating
Japanese companies and MERC assumed the role ofgiving the presentations, and used photos and videos tovisually emphasize the effects of the installed fish reefs.
This produced frequent questions and comments fromfishery members and other UAE participants throughout
the presentations, as an indication of their strong interestin the project. The participants also engaged in active
exchanges of views while browsing photographs of the
fish reefs displayed along the wall at the back of theroom, before and during intervals of the ceremony.

3. Ripple Effects of the Project
The global balance of sulfur demand-supply continues
to trend toward considerable supply excess. In fact, theMiddle Eastern countries as a whole produce sulfur inamounts exceeding demand by more than 4 million
tons/year. At present, some 2.4 million tons of sulfur are
produced in UAE refineries, but this volume is expected
to increase to almost 6.5 million tons by 2015.
Even from a global perspective, sulfur production
is steadily growing amid an increasing need to process
heavier crude oil and produce lighter, low-sulfur fuels.
Given this situation, the development of large-scalesulfur applications is extremely important to refinery
management, and the application of sulfur to such
structures as artificial fish reefs and sewage pipes offersa potential solution as a large-scale market for sulfur.
The fish reefs that were installed in this project are ofminimum scale, and the sulfur concrete blocks composing
each fish reef were made using approximately 100 tonsof sulfur. However, since some fish reefs are almost
1,000 times larger in reality, sulfur usage would amountto some 100,000 tons per fish reef. Besides sulfur, sandand other aggregates can also be procured in UAE, so
steady technical transfer to UAE through this project
would enable the demonstration of sulfur concrete asa large-scale outlet for sulfur usage, as well as creating
new employment in the country. There are thus mounting
expectations of this project on the UAE side.
<by Hiroshi Iida, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

JCCP NEWS No. 108 January 201117

TechnicalCooperation

Commencement of
the TAKREER Research Centre Project,
Phase II
—Signing Ceremony Held in UAE—
UAE is pursuing a national policy for
employment creation and human resource
development of the younger generation.
Under this policy, Abu Dhabi Oil Refining
Company (TAKREER), an affiliate of Abu
Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC),
has been strongly seeking to establish atechnology center to enable it to develop
capacities to solve technical issues related torefinery management and to upgrade its oil
refining technologies as a future leader in oil
refining and facility management technologies
among the GCC countries.
Meeting held after the signing ceremony: (from left)
The TAKREER Research Centre (TRC)
Mr. Jasem Ali Al-Sayegh, General Manager of TAKREER;
Mr. Morihiro Yoshida, Managing Director of JCCP;
Project was approved by H.E. Yousef Omair
Mr. Setsuo Ohmori, Japanese Minister to UAE; andBin Yousef, Chief Executive Officer, in
Mr. Shigeki Nakashima, Managing Executive Ofﬁcer of Idemitsu Kosan
FY2005, and was thereafter launched withthe cooperation of Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
By leveraging Idemitsu Kosan’s wealth of technical at the TAKREER Head Office. As a continuation of theexpertise regarding research center operations, the previous TRC establishment project, the Phase II projectproject aims to provide support for the designing of R&D will send Japanese instructors and advisors to TRC as
facilities and the installation of laboratory instruments in required to help establish long-term stable operations
the research center, as well as for the establishment of the of the pilot plant installed in the previous project, andorganizational framework, functions, and management to transfer analysis procedures for data acquired fromtechnologies of the center and the development of the pilot plant and evaluation technologies for new andresearch center personnel. Phase I of the project was spent catalysts used there. Through the technical transfer,
launched in FY2006 and was completed at the end of the project aims to provide technical support that would
March 2010, after having achieved its original objectives ultimately allow TRC to improve refinery operationsof formulating safety measures regarding the handling and optimize the refinery on its own. The transfer ofof dangerous high-pressure substances during the the necessary technologies will be conducted throughconstruction of the research center building, providing on-the-job training, to also promote the development
support for designing a rational equipment layout plan of TRC personnel.
The signing ceremony was held in stately splendor
that takes pilot plant operations into consideration, andat the TAKREER Head Office, with the attendance of
supporting the introduction of analytical instruments.
The subsequent stage of the project was recently Mr. Al-Sayegh and the deputy general manager andlaunched anew as the TAKREER Research Centre Project, executive officers under him; the director of TRC; Mr.
Phase II. Prior to kicking off the project, Mr. Jasem Ali Setsuo Ohmori, Japanese Minister to UAE; and Mr.
Al-Sayegh, General Manager, and Mr. Morihiro Yoshida, Shigeki Nakashima, Managing Executive Officer, andManaging Director of JCCP, signed the Memorandum of Mr. Yoshikuni Yamakawa, Executive Officer, from
Agreement (MOA) for the project on October 18, 2010 Idemitsu Kosan. In the opening statement, the UAE side
18

JCCP NEWS No. 108 January 2011

emphasized that the human resource development of
UAE workers is the country’s foremost important issue,
and UAE is therefore placing great expectation on thedevelopment of its personnel through the TRC project.
The Japanese side noted that JCCP receives many
participants from UAE to its regular courses and has
implemented a number of technical cooperation projects
with UAE beside this TRC project, and pledged to devote
every effort to building technical capacities in refining
engineers and thereby contribute to human resource
development in UAE through JCCP programs.
It is hoped that the implementation of this project willfurther deepen friendly ties between UAE and Japan,
and that the transfer of Japan’s operation and evaluation
technologies for oil refining equipment will contribute to
the development of oil refining technologies and humanresource development in UAE.
On the day after the project signing ceremony, Mr.
Yoshida, Mr. Nakashima, and other members of theJapanese delegation visited the TAKREER ResearchCentre to inspect its laboratory facilities, thus completingthe agenda of the signing ceremony.
The following is an outline of the TAKREER
Research Centre Project, Phase II.

Overview of the Planned Project
1. Project implementation period:
April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2013 (three-year project)
2. Host facility: TAKREER Research Centre
3. Participating company: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
4. Project details:(1) Advisors and instructors will be dispatched to TRC
to provide support for long-term stable operationsof the pilot plant and operational guidance ofanalytical instruments (on-the-job training).
(2) The correlation between operating data acquired
from an actual unit and that acquired from thepilot plant will be established, and support will
be provided for the transfer of catalyst evaluation
technology for catalysts used in the pilot plant andfor the creation of a reaction simulation system.
(3) The technologies and procedures for achieving
operational improvement and optimizationof actual refinery units will be transferred to
TRC through the transfer of catalyst evaluation
technologies.
(4) Support will be provided for human resource
development and TRC operations through theabove transfer of technologies.
<by Takeyoshi Haishima, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

The completed TAKREER Research CentreUÊ ÃÌÀÕVÌi`ÊÊÌ iÊÃÌiÊvÊÌ iÊ*iÌÀiÕÊÃÌÌÕÌi]ÊV>Ìi`Ê
in the eastern suburbs of Abu DhabiUÊ Õ`}Ê>Ài>\Ê>««ÀÝ°ÊÓ]ÓääÊÓ, 3 storiesUÊ ÃÌÀÕVÌÊLi}>ÊÊ«ÀÊÓäänÊ>`ÊÜ>ÃÊV«iÌi`ÊÊ
>ÌiÊ«ÀÊÓääÆÊ"ÜiÀÃ «ÊÜ>ÃÊÌÀ>ÃviÀÀi`ÊÌÊ/, ,ÊÊ
i>ÀÞÊÕ}ÕÃÌÊÓää

JCCP NEWS No. 108 January 2011

Project agreement

19Topics

Commencement ofa New JCCP Project with UAE— Design and Evaluation of a Pilot Plant for the Treatment of
Reﬁnery Wastewater —UAE is experiencing remarkable economic growth
today, mainly in its oil and gas industries. However, thisgrowth is raising concerns about environmental problems.
The Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (TAKREER), a
subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC),
has also been seeking to improve environmental load
reduction technologies at the Ruwais Refinery and to
upgrade its refinery wastewater treatment system.
In light of this situation, JCCP and United ArabEmirates University (UAE University) have carried out
the Project on Development, Design and Evaluation ofAdvanced Refinery Wastewater Treatment Process in
UAE (FY2005 – 2009) to examine efficient refinery
wastewater treatment methods, and have succeeded indeveloping a new treatment system at the laboratory level.
The new system treats refinery wastewater according toa three-step process, which includes electrocoagulation(for sulphate removal and COD reduction), bioreaction(for phenol removal), and adsorption (for COD removal).

Signing the MOA

Compared to the conventional system, it can efficiently
treat wastewater at a higher level.
Before the new wastewater treatment system could beapplied to an operating refinery, practical performance
evaluation tests needed to be performed using actual
wastewater discharged from a refinery. Therefore, withthe objective of performing the necessary evaluation

Principal members of the signing ceremony(From the left) H.E. Dr. Maitha Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State;
Dr. Abdulla Saad Al-Khanbashi, Vice Chancellor of UAE University;
Mr. Jasem Ali Al-Sayegh, General Manager of TAKREER;
Mr. Morihiro Yoshida, Managing Director of JCCP;
Mr. Setsuo Omori, Minister at the Japanese Embassy in UAE

20

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 2010

tests, JCCP will be launching a new project, the Joint
Study on Design and Evaluation of a Pilot Plant for theTreatment of Refinery Wastewater in UAE, this fiscal
year over a period of three years.
The project will be held jointly with UAE University
and TAKREER as JCCP’s counterparts on the UAE
side. UAE University will be responsible for evaluating
the performance and optimizing the pilot wastewater
treatment unit, and TAKREER will install the unit in the
Ruwais Refinery and cooperate in its operation.
After a series of discussions on the joint
implementation of the project, JCCP, UAE University,
and TAKREER reached a final agreement and held an
MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) signing ceremonyon May 17, 2010.
On the UAE side, Mr. Jasem Ali Al-Sayegh, General
Manager of TAKREER, and Dr. Abdulla Saad AlKhanbashi, Vice Chancellor of UAE University; andon the Japanese side, Mr. Morihiro Yoshida, Managing
Director of JCCP, signed the MOA and exchanged

commemorative gifts, with hopes for the success of the
new project.
H.E. Dr. Maitha Salem Al Shamsi, Minister ofState and JCCP’s counterpart for technical cooperation
projects in UAE, also attended the ceremony anddelivered words of gratitude for the new JCCP project
and for JCCP’s technical cooperation with UAE. On
the Japanese side, Mr. Setsuo Omori, Minister at theJapanese Embassy in UAE, expressed his approval of
the new JCCP project and articulated his hopes that it
will contribute to strengthening ties between UAE andJapan. Other members on the Japanese side included Mr.
Masaki Ikematsu, Executive Director, from Nippon Oil
Research Institute Co., Ltd., a participating member in
the JCCP technical cooperation project.
All parties concerned look forward to the successful
completion of the project, and hope that the transfer ofJapanese environmental countermeasure technologies andenvironmental improvement technologies will enhance
the friendly relationship between UAE and Japan.
<by Nobuyuki Suyama, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 201021

Topics

Completion Ceremony for“Application Study of Sulfur Concrete
Technology” in UAE
A two-day ceremony to celebrate the completionof the preparatory phase of the UAE-JCCP joint
technical cooperation project on “Application Studyof Sulfur Concrete Technology” was held on May 10
and 11, 2009, at Marine Resources Research Center(MRRC) in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain on thefirst day, and at UAE University in the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi on the second day.
The project aims to demonstrate new uses ofsulfur, which is produced in surplus as a by-productin oil refineries. More specifically, modified
sulfur concrete, which is made of sulfur, sand, andaggregates, will be used to make artificial fish reef
blocks and sewage pipes on a test basis to examine
its commercial applicability in UAE. Expectations
for the project are high in UAE, as its successful
completion would not only provide effective usesof by-product sulfur, but could also create new
employment opportunities in the country.
In the preparatory phase, a series of pipes
have been installed in Al Ain City (removalof an 80-meter segment of an existing sewage
pipeline and installation of sulfur concrete pipes
and manholes) and await the commencement ofa demonstration test for assessing durability, andthe necessary preparations have been made for the
installation of an artificial fish reef off the coast of
Umm Al Quwain. With the preliminary groundwork
thus completed, the ceremony was held on the said
dates, with the attendance of dignitaries and officials
from both UAE and Japan.

1. Ceremony at MRRC (May 10)
The ceremony held at MRRC was attended by
Mr. Abdulrazzaq Anwahi, Advisor to the Ministry ofEnvironment & Water; Dr. Ebrahim Jamali, Directorof MRRC; Mr. Abdul Karim, President of Board of
Directors, Umm Al Quwain Co-operative Society
22

Completion ceremony at MRRC

for Fishermen; and other relevant parties on the
UAE side. The Japanese side was represented by
Mr. Kazuo Sunaga, Minister, Japanese Embassy in
UAE; Mr. Masahiro Yoshida, Director of Nippon
Oil Corporation; Mr. Yasuji Kakimoto, Director ofPenta-Ocean Construction Co., Ltd.; and Mr. Katsuo
Yokoyama, Managing Director of JCCP. Nippon
Oil Corporation and Penta-Ocean Construction Co.,
Ltd. are two companies participating in the projecton the Japanese side.
Dr. Osama Wahba, Marine Protected Area
& Coral Reefs Specialist, MRRC, opened theevent as moderator, then gave the podium to Mr.
Abdulrazzaq Anwahi, who delivered an opening
speech, followed by Mr. Sunaga, Mr. Yokoyama,
Mr. Kakimoto, and Mr. Karim. All the speakers
expressed their expectation that the project willfurther strengthen cooperative ties between UAE
and Japan. Mr. Yokoyama also took a moment tobriefly describe JCCP activities in UAE. After the
opening speeches, Mr. Kota Nakase, Manager,
Penta-Ocean Construction Co., Ltd., and Mr. Takeshi
Kiyota, Senior Staff, Nippon Oil Corporation, gavea presentation on sulfur concrete technology and

JCCP NEWS No. 105 October 2009

the application of sulfur concrete to artificial fish
reefs and sewage pipelines, which captured theattention of all participants. The session held in
the auditorium, the tour of MRRC facilities, andthe reception, all contributed to promoting greater
understanding of the project.

2. Courtesy Call on H.E. Dr. Maitha
Al Shamsi, Minister of State

3. Ceremony at UAE University(May 11)
The ceremony held at UAE University wasattended by Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi, Prof. Rory
Hume, Prof. Abdel-Mohsen Mohamed, and a
representative from Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services
Company (ADSSC), on the UAE side, and by H.E.
Tatsuo Watanabe, Japanese Ambassador to UAE,
in addition to members of the Japanese delegation
who attended the ceremony at MRRC.
With Prof. Mohamed acting as moderator,
the event began with opening speeches by Prof.
Hume, Ambassador Watanabe, Mr. Yokoyama, Mr.
Yoshida, and the representative from ADSSC.
As a friendly gesture and a sign of hospitality,
the UAE University side prepared a cake decorated
with the flags of UAE and Japan, and Dr. Al Shamsi,
Ambassador Watanabe, and Mr. Yokoyama literally
joined hands in cutting the first slice.

H.E. Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister of State(seated second from right)

Preceding the ceremony at UAE University, Mr.
Yokoyama and the Japanese delegation paid a courtesy
call on by H.E. Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister ofState, to thank her for UAE’s understanding andsupport of JCCP activities. Dr. Al Shamsi said thatJapan’s technical cooperation is indispensable toupgrading technologies at UAE University as wellas in UAE as a whole, and expressed her continued
expectation of JCCP’s support. As Minister ofState who plays a central role in the developmentof science, technology, and education in UAE, Dr.
Al Shamsi takes strong interest in issues related toeducation and technology in the country.
Prof. Rory Hume, Provost of UAE University,
was also present to receive the Japanese delegation.
In reference to the project, he said he has strong
interest in the production of pipes and manholes
using sulfur concrete, largely because it was his
grandfather who invented the hume pipe.

Completion ceremony at UAE University

Cutting a cake decorated with the ﬂags of
UAE and Japan

JCCP NEWS No. 105 October 200923

As in the ceremony held at MRRC, thepresentations on sulfur concrete technology and theapplication of sulfur concrete to sewage pipelines andartificial fish reefs were received with strong interestby all participants. After the ceremony, the Japanesedelegation, along with their UAE hosts, toured thesite of the sewage pipe installation work and attended
a reception, further promoting greater understandingof the project among all participants.

4. Sewage Pipe Installation
A sewage pipeline managed by ADSSC runs
near UAE University in Al Ain, at a depth ofapproximately 5 meters. This January, a section ofaround 80 meters along this pipeline was removed,
and new pipes and manholes made of sulfur
concrete were installed. These components havebeen re-buried and are now being used as part of
the regular sewage pipeline. UAE University ismonitoring their applicability.

fish reef blocks were installed and provided a clear
indication of the blocks’ effectiveness. Continuous
observations will be made to assess the effectivenessand durability of the sulfur concrete fish reef.
On a final note, we would like to extend our
deepest appreciation to UAE University, MRRC, theJapanese Embassy in UAE, Nippon Oil Corporation,
Penta-Ocean Construction, and all relevant parties
for their kind support and cooperation in making
the ceremony possible.
<by Hiroshi Iida, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

5. Artiﬁcial Fish Reef Installation
An artificial fish reef was installed in the waters off
the coast of Umm Al Quwain about one month after
the ceremony. A total of 215 fish reef blocks made ofsulfur concrete (2.2 tons/block) were stacked threedeep at a depth of 15 meters, 6 kilometers off the coastof Umm Al Quwain. The blocks, which were stored
in an MRRC facility, were transported to the port,
loaded onto a ship by crane, and installed at sea.
Schools of fish appeared soon after the artificial

Local newspaper article on the completion ceremony

Site of sewage pipe installation work in Al Ain(pipes and manholes before being buried)

School of ﬁsh swimming around the artiﬁcial ﬁsh reef
installed on the ocean ﬂoor

24

JCCP NEWS No. 105 October 2009

TechnicalCooperation

Support for the Establishment of
TAKREER Research Center in UAE
1. Project Background
Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (TAKREER),
an affiliate of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company(ADNOC), is striving to be a leading company inthe oil refining industry, by acquiring superior oil
refining and facility management technologies.
To this end, it has been seeking to improve its
technologies, so that it may efficiently solve
technical issues relating to further efficiency andoptimization of refinery operations.

JCCP commenced a feasibility study on theestablishment of a research center at TAKREER in
FY2005, with the participation of Idemitsu Kosan
Co., Ltd. In June of the same year, the undertaking
was approved by H.E. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef,
CEO of ADNOC, and thus the four-year project on“TAKREER Research Center (TRC) Establishment”(FY2006 – 2009) was begun.

Conceptual image of thethree-story TRC building

2. Project Overview
The project aims to transfer Idemitsu Kosan’sabundant experience and technologies relating
to the operation of research centers to TRC, by
providing support in designing equipment/apparatus,
formulating a comprehensive project framework in
consideration of the organization, functions, andmanagement technologies of the research center, andin developing research center personnel.
So far, a specific short- to medium-term action

plan has been established for the TRC, and efforts
have been directed toward the formulation of
concrete plans regarding the phased introduction of
test/analysis equipment, organizational framework,
division of duties within each department, and theassignment and employment of personnel.
As a result, a function- and safety-oriented
design has been created for the TRC researchbuilding, and the focus of the project has shiftedto the introduction of a pilot plant and test/analysis
equipment. More specifically, a schedule is being

JCCP NEWS No. 102 November 200825

examined for the installation of the test/analysis
equipment and pilot plants after technical evaluationof the building specifications and completion of
the research building (project to be completed in
May 2009).
In the area of human resource development,
we are considering the dispatch of advisors andinstructors from Japan, as a means to providing
technical guidance on the operation of the installed

equipment, as well as guidance for the analysis ofacquired data.
We have great expectations that the projectwill contribute to the development of oil refining
technologies in UAE, and further deepen friendly
ties between UAE and Japan.
<by Takeyoshi Haishima, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

Center Manager
Secretary

Coordination

Head office,Refineries Licensors

University,
PI Research institutions
Process Study

Research

Chief Engineer

Chief Researcher

Process Engineering

Catalyst Research

Process Modelingand Simulation

Pilot Plant
Analysis
Products Development

Organizational chart of the research center (plan)

26

JCCP NEWS No. 102 November 2008

Topics

Signing Ceremony
for the Joint Project on Removal of Acid Gases fromNatural Gas Using Membrane Contactors (Phase II)
On May 19, 2008, United
Arab Emirate University (UAE
University) and JCCP held aceremony for the signing of a
Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) on a joint technicalcooperation project slated for
implementation in FY2008.
Joint technical cooperation
projects are the mainstay of JCCP
technical cooperation activities.
UAE University and JCCP began
implementing these projects in
Members of the Japanese delegation and UAE University,
FY2001, with the participation
with H.E. Dr. Maitha Salem Al-Shamsi, Minister of State (center)of the UAE oil industry (AbuDhabi Oil Refining Company(TAKREER)) and the UAE gas industry (Abu refining company affiliated with ADNOC, and JCCP
Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Co. Ltd. (ADGAS)). They have jointly implemented projects for wastewater
aim to strengthen friendly relations between UAE and acid gas treatment within the UAE oil industry,
and Japan, by transferring Japan’s technologies and from FY2005 to FY2007, in the effort to enhance
expertise in global warming and environmental technologies for mitigating environmental burden
pollution countermeasures to UAE University and in the Ruwais Refinery of TAKREER.
Based on the results of those projects, UAE
UAE oil and gas industries.
The project for which the signing ceremony University and JCCP decided to implement
was held constitutes phase 2 of the project on phase 2 of the project in FY2008, to promoteacid gas treatment, which was implemented from the commercialization of the technology for the
FY2005 to FY2007. It will examine the feasibility selective removal of acid gases from a hydrocarbon
of employing membrane contactors in the selective gas stream. Following the preparation of a new
removal of acid gases (e.g. CO2 or H2S) from MOA, the two organizations held the signinghydrocarbon gas at the laboratory level, applying ceremony at UAE University on May 19, andthe Das Island LNG plant as a model. The ultimate officially kicked off the FY2008 project.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Mr. Katsuo
goal of the project is to reduce energy consumption
by using the membrane separation technology to Yokoyama, Managing Director of JCCP, andremove acid gases, in place of the conventional other members of the Japanese delegation paid acourtesy call on Mr. Kazuo Sunaga, Minister atmethod that uses an amine solution.
In UAE, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company the Embassy of Japan in UAE, to report on the(ADNOC) is strongly promoting a Health, Safety successful completion of the signing ceremony, andand Environment (HSE) Management Program in to introduce and ask for his cooperation with JCCP
the oil sector. Under this scheme, TAKREER, an oil activities in UAE.
JCCP NEWS No. 101 August 2008

27

The signing ceremony was held in an auditorium
on UAE University’s Al-Maqam campus, with theattendance of Dr. Abdulla Al-Khanbashi, Acting
Vice Chancellor and Provost, and other membersof the University on the UAE University side,and members of a Japanese delegation headedby Mr. Yokoyama. Amid a friendly atmosphere,
Dr. Al-Khanbashi and Mr. Yokoyama signed the
MOA with hopes for the project’s success, andexchanged commemorative gifts and words ofcongratulations.
Mr. Takahiko Yamaji, President of Nippon
Oil Research Institute Co. Ltd., also attended the
ceremony and articulated his firm commitment
to the project. Nippon Oil Research Instituteis a major participant in a number of JCCP
technical cooperation projects, and will be themain implementing company of the new project.
Mr. Matsushita, First Secretary at the Embassy ofJapan in UAE, attended the ceremony on behalfof Ambassador Takuma Hatano, and relayed theAmbassador’s hopes that the project will further
promote friendship between UAE and Japan.

Exchange of commemorative gifts
Dr. Abdulla Al-Khanbashi, Acting Vice Chancellor andProvost of UAE University (right), andMr. Katsuo Yokoyama, Managing Director of JCCP

28

On the UAE University side, the ceremony washonored by the attendance of H.E. Dr. Maitha Salem
Al-Shamsi, Minister of State. Before being appointed
to Minister of State in February 2008, Dr. AlShamsi was Assistant Provost for Research of UAE
University, and a counterpart for JCCP technicalcooperation projects in UAE (she still holds the
position of Director of the center for externally
funded research activities (eFORS)). At the signingceremony, she conveyed words of appreciation for
JCCP technical cooperation projects.
A dozen or so newspaper journalists andphotographers witnessed the ceremony. Articles
introducing the event, accompanied by photos, werecarried in Khaleej Times, a major English-language
newspaper in UAE, and on Internet websites.
JCCP looks forward to the successful completionof the project and to the smooth transfer of Japan’s
technologies in environmental and environment
improvement measures, as significant steps indeepening friendly relations between UAE andJapan.
<by Nobuyuki Suyama, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

Article on the signing ceremony(Khaleej Times]Ê>ÞÊÓÇ]ÊÓäänÊi`Ì®

JCCP NEWS No. 101 August 2008

TechnicalCooperation

Project on Flare Gas Recovery
from Oil Refining Facilities in the UAE
Background to the Project
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company(ADNOC) in the UAE has initiateda health, safety, and environmental
management program in May 1998,
and has been actively engaging inenvironmental countermeasures withthe objectives of reducing waste gas
and materials and improving energy
efficiency. This policy has become amodel for nationwide environmental
countermeasures in the UAE, and has
also prompted the enforcement of the
Basic Environmental Law in February
2000.
Under this situation and based ona strong request by the Abu Dhabi
Oil Refining Company (TAKREER),

JCCP has implemented a study on theapplicability of the flare gas recovery
technology at the Ruwais Refinery.

in FY2006, and are mainly conducting
on-site construction work in FY2007.
s&UTURE PLANS
We are scheduled to complete theconstruction and commissioning workof the flare gas recovery system in
FY2007. In FY2008, we plan to support
operational technologies and conduct anevaluation of the project.

Overview of the Projects/BJECTIVE
The project sets out to introduce andexamine the flare gas recovery systemdesigned to reduce flare gas emission,
with the final objectives of achieving
effective utilization of flare gas andreducing environmental impact, at
TAKREER’s Ruwais Refinery.

s%XPECTED RESULTS
The project is expected to substantiate
the feasibility of reducing gas emissions
and improving energy efficiency at the
Ruwais Refinery. It will also provide abasis for the application of the system toother units within the refinery, as well as
to other refineries under TAKREER.

s

0ROGRESS MADE SO FAR
We have completed the detailed
design of the facility and arranging for the
procurement of equipment and materials<by Hitoshi Hirokawa, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

Flare gas
Refining
units

Flare stack
Flare gas recovery system

Compressor
Existing
off-gastreating unit

Fuel gas(sweet)Seal drum

Flare gas
Sweet gas

Diagram of the Flare Gas Recovery System

JCCP NEWS No. 99 February 200829

TechnicalCooperation

The Tenth Scientific Council Meetingwith UAE University Held in Al Ain
The Tenth Scientific Council Meeting was held
on November 5, 2009, at United Arab Emirates
University (UAE University) in Al Ain, UAE, with
15 members on the UAE University side headed by
H.E. Dr. Maitha Al-Shamsi, Minister of State, and8 members on the Japanese side represented by Mr.
Morihiro Yoshida, Managing Director of JCCP.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. AlShamsi thanked JCCP for its cooperation in UAE
University’s research activities. In turn, Mr. Yoshidaspoke on behalf of the Japanese side as he reported
on the satisfactory results that are being achieved
through the cooperative relationship that has
been growing stronger between UAE University
and JCCP, and expressed his expectations in the
project’s future development. Thereafter, progress
reports were given on the two technical cooperation
projects that the two institutions are jointly
implementing, followed by questions/answers andevaluations of each. An overview of the projects isprovided below.

underway at UAE University is producing steadyresults. A module that can withstand long hours
of high pressure has been developed, albeit at thelaboratory study, and an experiment has succeededin almost completely removing CO2 and H2S fromacid gas at 50 bar. On the Japanese side, Nippon
Oil Research Institute Co., Ltd. is assisting in theimplementation of the project, and Dr. Masaaki
Teramoto and Dr. Hideto Matsuyama of Kobe
University are providing technical guidance. On
the UAE side, Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Limited(ADGAS) is participating and cooperating as atechnical advisor.

● 0ROJECT ON 2EMOVAL OF !CID 'ASES FROM.ATURAL 'AS USING -EMBRANE #ONTACTORS
0HASE ))
0RINCIPAL )NVESTIGATOR $R -OHAMED!L -ARZOUQIThe study of membrane contactors that is● 0ROJECT ON $EVELOPMENT $ESIGN AND%VALUATION OF !DVANCED 2ElNERY 7ASTE
7ATER 4REATMENT 0ROCESS
0RINCIPAL )NVESTIGATOR $R -UFTAH%L .AAS
Under this project, the optimum conditions
for applying a three-step treatment process(Electrocoagulation Unit¡Bioreactor Unit¡
Adsorption Unit) to oil industry wastewater
treatment are being studied at UAE University. On
the Japanese side, Nippon Oil Research InstituteCo., Ltd. is assisting in the implementation of
the project, and on the UAE side, Abu Dhabi Oil
Refining Company (TAKREER) is participating

Mr. Morihiro Yoshida, Managing Director of JCCP
(second from right)

H.E. Dr. Maitha Al-Shamsi, Minister of State(second from left)

30

JCCP NEWS No. 106 March 2010

Members of the Scientiﬁc Council Meeting(members from UAE University and Japanese-side members)

and cooperating as a technical advisor.
Owing to the participation and cooperationof ADGAS and TAKREER, the two projects gobeyond the scope of an academic study project tobeing a project whose results can be used to benefit
the oil and gas industries in UAE.
UAE University is rapidly increasing its
reputation as an outstanding university in the Middle
East region (increased its ranking from 496th in
the world in 2008 to 374th in 2009). Along withthis reputation, the awareness of the university as a
research institution based in UAE is also expected
to increase.
To support and further develop the friendly
relations between UAE and Japan, JCCP willcontinue to approach the oil industry in UAE throughthe implementation of joint research projects with
UAE University and contribute to the promotion of
joint industry-academia studies in UAE.
The 11th Scientific Council Meeting is scheduled
to be held in May 2010, in Abu Dhabi.

<by Nobuyuki Suyama, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

JCCP NEWS No. 106 March 201031

TechnicalCooperation

The Ninth Scientific Council Meeting
Held with UAE University
Since FY2001, United Arab Emirates University(UAE University) and JCCP have jointly
implemented a number of technical cooperation
projects. In FY2009, they cooperated in advancing
two ongoing projects: a project on acid gas
treatment from natural gas (Phase II), and a projecton wastewater treatment in refineries in UAE.
To exchange information on the progress of the
projects, UAE University and JCCP held the Ninth
Scientific Council Meeting at JCCP Headquarters
on May 25, 2009. The meeting is held biannually,
alternating the venue between UAE and Japan. Thistime, it was held in Japan, and attended by a totalof 16 members, with both sides equally represented
by 8 members.
Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company Limited(ADGAS) is participating in the acid gas treatment
project, and Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company(TAKREER) is participating in the wastewater
treatment project, as technical advisors. Thanks totheir cooperation, the projects are able to go beyond
the scope of a regular academic study project, toproduce practical results that could be applied tothe oil and gas industry in UAE.

Scientiﬁc Council Meeting

Clerical meeting

32

JCCP NEWS No. 105 October 2009

On the Japanese side, Nippon Oil ResearchInstitute is assisting in the implementation of the
projects, and Dr. Masaaki Teramoto and Dr. Hideto
Matsuyama of Kobe University are providing
technical guidance in the acid gas treatment
project.
In the meeting, the members reported on
the progress of the projects and held active
discussions on plans for FY2009. Both projects
were reported to be making steady progress.
In the wastewater treatment project, there areplans to examine an advanced treatment processthat uses Electrocoagulation treatment, Phenol
Biodegradation treatment and Adsorption treatment
to provide continuous treatment of wastewater inrefineries. The design of a test unit for experimental
use will also be studied. In the acid gas treatment
project, research on treatment technologies for high-pressure acid gases (carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide)
is currently underway. Earlier in the project, sample
membrane contactors for acid gas separation weresuccessfully created, and were duly acknowledged
by Dr. Teramoto as a remarkable achievement.
Expectations of future research results also run highin the Middle East.
In addition to participating in the ScientificCouncil Meeting, the members from UAE University
completed a busy schedule during their stay in Japan
from May 23 to 28. We held a clerical meeting on
the budgets and plans of the two projects, held
discussions on details of the implementation plans,and engaged in fruitful exchanges of information forthe successful implementation of the two projects.
The Tenth Scientific Council Meeting isscheduled to be held next in November, at UAE
University in Al Ain.
<by Nobuyuki Suyama, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

H.E. Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of State (seated, right)
and Mr. Masataka Sase, Executive Director of JCCP (seated, left)

Members of the Scientiﬁc Council Meeting(members from UAE University and Japanese-side members)

JCCP NEWS No. 105 October 200933

TechnicalCooperation

The Sixth Scientific Council Meeting with UAE University
Held in Al Ain
On November 4, 2007, JCCP and
UAE University co-hosted the Sixth
Scientific Council Meeting at UAE
University, located in Al Ain, UAE. The
two institutions began implementing
joint technical cooperation programs in
FY2001, and are presently carrying out
two programs on wastewater treatment
and acid gas treatment.
A s p a r t n e r s f r o m t h e UA E
industrial sector, the Ruwais Refineryof Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company( TA K R E E R) i s sup p o r t i ng t h ewastewater treatment program, and
Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Co. Ltd.
(ADGAS) is giving cooperation in theacid gas treatment program.
From Japan, Nippon Oil Research
I nst it ute is pa r t icipat i ng i n t he
implementation of the programs, and Dr.
Masaaki Teramoto of Kobe University isproviding research guidance and project
assistance in the acid gas treatment
program.

The Scientific Council Meeting isheld biannually, alternating the venue
between Japan and UAE. At the sixth
such meeting held recently, the members
reported on, and actively discussed, theprogress of activities that have been
made during the first half of FY2007.
The following is an overview of theachievements.

s Wastewater treatment
In the wastewater treatment program,a new treatment method that combines
biological treatment and activated carbon
adsorption treatment processes was
acknowledged as the optimum method
for treating wastewater. Particularly
with respect to adsorption treatment,
activated carbons made by processing
seeds from locally-cultivated dates were
determined to be especially effective inadsorbing certain metals.
As a result of a survey on wastewater
properties at the Ruwais Refinery, it wasagreed that treatment technologies need
to be established for CODs, phenols andsulfuric acid salt.

s Acid gas treatment
In the acid gas treatment program, avariety of experiments were conductedusing hollow fiber membrane as ameans of removing carbon dioxideand methane from natural gas. The
results of the experiments closely
matched a mathematical model thathas been developed earlier. In reality,
the process would require an increasein pressure, so an experiment was also
conducted to demonstrate that carbon
dioxide can indeed be removed underincreased pressure. The experiments
verified the effectiveness of hollow
fiber membrane. The members of the
program will continue to pursue theirefforts to attain a practical process that
can take the place of gas-washing withan alkali solution.

<by Nobuyuki Taneda, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

Opening ceremony

34

Discussion session

JCCP NEWS No. 99 February 2008

Topics

The 28th JCCP International Symposium“Innovation of Technology and Management in Oil Downstream:
For Security of Oil Supply”

Panelists and guests of honor

The 28th JCCP International Symposium was heldon January 27 and 28, 2010, under the auspices of the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), andwith the attendance of approximately 350 visitors.

In this year’s symposium, leading authorities fromoil producing and consuming countries were invited
to exchange views on management and technology
innovation toward advanced utilization of oil.

1. Theme and Goal

2. Overview

The theme of this year’s symposium was “Innovationof Technology and Management in Oil Downstream:
For Security of Oil Supply.” Over the medium to longterm, the global balance in oil supply and demand is apt
to tighten, as a result of the increase in oil consumption
particularly in newly emerging economies. Amid thissituation, oil producing and consuming countries must
share the responsibility of mitigating inordinate increases
in oil consumption by promoting advanced utilization ofoil without undermining economic growth.

(1) First Day: Opening Ceremony (January 27)
The symposium opened with an address by Mr.
Yaichi Kimura, President of JCCP, and a greeting fromthe guest of honor, Mr. Masaaki Kimura, DirectorGeneral of the Natural Resources and Fuel Department,
METI. These were followed by keynote speeches by
Mr. Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director, International
Energy Agency (IEA), and Mr. Mohammed A. Al-Omair,
Executive Director, Refining and NGL Fractionation,
Saudi Aramco.

Symposium venue

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 201035

Mr. Yaichi Kimura, President of JCCP, reiterated
the theme of this year’s symposium—Innovation ofTechnology and Management in Oil Downstream: For
Security of Oil Supply—and presented a perspective on
the issue. He said that we have spent decades developing
oil utilization technologies and mechanisms to create
today’s affluent society, but oil is a limited resourcethat we must use wisely. The extent to which we canachieve the effective utilization of oil depends on thetechnical and management capabilities of all of us who
work in the oil industry. Mr. Kimura closed his addressby emphasizing the importance of technology andmanagement innovation in handing down the precious
resource to the next generation.

Mr. Yaichi Kimura, President of JCCP,
giving an opening address

Mr. Masaaki Kimura from METI spoke as follows: Oilproducing countries and Japan have established friendly
relationships over many years as the foundation of oil
security. However, as oil demand is expected to increase
mainly in emerging countries over the medium to longterm, one of the priority issues of the worldwide oil
industry lies in how to address such changes in the global
energy situation. Therefore, in the face of anticipatedchanges in the global oil supply-demand environment,
the theme of this symposium holds great significance,
as it provides an opportunity to explore how technology
and management innovation in the oil downstream sector
could prevent the wasteful use of oil and promote its
effective utilization to the greatest possible extent as
an extremely valuable resource. Moreover, since issues
in the oil downstream sector are common issues to oil
producing and consuming countries alike, forums suchas this symposium, in which various parties assemble
to discuss a common theme, are certain to contributelargely to building consensus and stabilizing the global
oil supply structure. In the end, Mr. Kimura expressed his
expectation that the collective wisdom of oil producing
and consuming countries will expand the possibilitiesof the precious and superior resource called “oil,” forthe future of our society.
(2) Keynote Speeches
Mr. Nobuo Tanaka from IEA gave a keynote speech
as follows: Future increases in demand for oil will
come mainly from non-OECD countries, or in otherwords, from developing countries, and oil demand willcontinue to growth steadily and eventually outpace theproduction capacity of worldwide suppliers. Inevitably,spare production capacity will become tighter than it istoday. Nevertheless, the situation will not cause a sudden
insecurity in oil supply as in past oil crises, but will
constrict oil supplies in a gradual manner. Experts call thisphenomenon “creeping oil crisis*.” Needless to say, thebest way to ensure stable supply of oil while maintaining
economic growth is to realize advanced applications ofoil, conserve energy, and prevent wasteful oil use.

Mr. Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director of IEA,
giving a keynote speech
Mr. Masaaki Kimura, Director-General of the
Natural Resources and Fuel Department, METI,
giving a speech as a guest of honor

36* Creeping oil crisis: an oil crisis that occurs as a result of a
gradual constriction of oil supplies over time

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 2010

Mr. Mohammed A. Al-Omair, Executive Director of
Saudi Aramco, giving a keynote speech

Mr. Mohammed A. Al-Omair from Saudi Aramco also
gave a keynote speech, firstly presenting an overview
of Saudi Aramco’s role in the global oil industry. He
said that Saudi Arabia has the world’s largest reserveof hydrocarbon resources. In order to assure consumers
that oil will continue to be a reliable source of energy,
Saudi Aramco has striven to secure stable supplies ofoil as a leading oil-producing country. Ensuring oil
security requires considerable investment, but Saudi
Aramco has established a consistent system for the
stable supply of oil, from the oilfields to consuming
regions. For example, it has maintained its 12 million
b/d oil production capacity through the developmentof oil resources, acquired the capacity to also supply
oil products by strengthening its refining capabilities,
and invests in Vela International Marine Limited (Saudi
Aramco’s wholly owned shipping subsidiary). Mr.
Al-Omair also spoke about the importance of humanresource development, stating that Saudi Aramco has
been able to continue the difficult and challenging
business of supplying oil, precisely because it isblessed with “people” who constantly pursue higher
levels of technology and management. Based on the
belief that “people” are the most precious asset of thecompany, it has spared no investment in human resource
development. Saudi Aramco’s success today is the resultof this policy. Mr. Al-Omair said that Saudi Aramco willcontinue to contribute to the global stabilization of oil
supplies by directing its efforts to developing humanresources and achieving advanced utilization of oilbased on innovating technologies and management.
(3) First Day: Special Lectures (January 27)
The latter half of the symposium agenda on the firstday featured special lectures by Mr. Mubarak S. Al Ketbi,
Manager, Crude & Condensate Division, Marketing &Refining Directorate, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company(ADNOC); Mr. He Zhoyun, Vice President, Economics& Development Research Institute, SINOPEC; and Mr.
Pramod Kumar Karunakaran, Managing Director/CEO,
Ethylene Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., PETRONAS.
Mr. Al Ketbi of ADNOC said that UAE is not only
focusing on the development of renewable energy
systems, but also on the development of nuclear power,
and has plans to invest 40 billion dollars in nuclear
power development by 2017. With the completion of asecond unit at the Ruwais Refinery, clean fuel supplies
will also be available. Mr. Al Ketbi stressed that
UAE will endeavor to secure stable energy supply bycomprehensively developing various types of energy.
Mr. Zhoyun of SINOPEC said that oil consumption
is increasing in China, and particularly the consumptionof automotive fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel. The
country is therefore directing its efforts to creating social
systems that promote efficient utilization of oil. For
example, it is focusing on developing alternative energy
and technologies such as coal liquefaction, bioethanol,
biodiesel, hydrogen energy and electric vehicles, and has
also implemented a policy for shifting the mainstream
transportation mode from automobiles to railways bydeveloping inter-city high-speed railways and inner-city
subway networks.
Mr. Karunakaran of PETRONAS spoke about theimportant role of the oil industry. He explained that
PETRONAS commenced operations related to oil
development in 1974, and has increased its corporate
value and developed into a company that contributes
to society by producing petroleum and petrochemical
products from hydrocarbons. Although various difficult
issues lie ahead, such as rising oil prices and intensifying
international competition, Mr. Karunakaran said the oil
industry has a responsibility to continue providing stablesupplies of oil.
(4) Second Day: Discussion Sessions (January 28)(i) Session 1 (morning session) “Management
Innovation”
Under the chairmanship of Mr. Takeshi Kurosaki,
Executive Corporate Officer in Charge of Petroleum
Refining Dept., Japan Energy Corporation, five panelists
delivered presentations on management innovation
at their company. The panelists included Mr. Masoud
Salim Al Msalmy, General Manager, Corporate Support
Division, Oman Refineries & Petrochemicals Company(ORPC); Mr. Hashem Y. Al Refaei, Manager, Marketing
Research & Administration Division, Marketing

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 201037

& Refining Directorate, Abu Dhabi National Oil
Company (ADNOC); Ms. Nina Nurlina Pramono, Vice
President, People Management of Human Resources,
PERTAMINA; Mr. A. O. Oniwon, Group Executive
Director, Refineries & Petrochemicals, Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); and Mr.
Shinji Takasu, General Manager, Refining Technology,
Petroleum Refining Dept., Japan Energy Corporation.
In a summary of the panelists’ presentations,
Mr. Kurosaki noted as follows: In this session, fivepanelists spoke about management innovation in theirrespective companies. Each company bears a largesocial responsibility to ensure stable oil supply, butliberalization and globalization trends have created anenvironment of intense international competition. Unlessthe companies embrace technology and management
innovation and build a competitive corporate culture,they will not be able to fulfill their responsibility. In all
five presentations, “people” were the common key tocreating a competitive company. New technologies andmanagement systems may be developed, but they would
have no effect if “people” do not change. Therefore, it isimportant, above all else, for people to interact with eachother beyond national and corporate boundaries and touse that experience to mutually acquire the wisdom of“human development.”

Session 2 panelists

Mr. Asaad Ahmad Al-Saad, Deputy Chairman & Deputy
Managing Director, Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery, Kuwait
National Petroleum Company (KNPC); and Mr. Takashi
Yasuda, Executive Officer, Senior General Manager,
R&D Division, JGC Corporation.
Mr. Tange summarized the presentations as follows:
Today, we listened to presentations on measures
for improving the value of hydrocarbons in four
countries. A new trend seems to be emerging in both
oil producing and consuming countries, to use oil invalue-added applications instead of simply burning it
as fuel. However, comprehensive capacity to manage
diverse technologies is required to continue the trend.
Oil producing and consuming countries may havetheir differences, but they nonetheless share the same
objective of seeking more advanced uses of oil andnatural gas. We hope to develop new oil energy systems
through mutual cooperation.

Session 1 panelists(ii) Session 2 (afternoon session) “Technology
Innovation”
Under the chairmanship of Mr. Sei Tange, Executive
Vice President and CMO, JGC Corporation, four panelists
delivered presentations on technology innovation in theirrespective companies. The panelists included Mr. MarkG. Lawrence, Head of GTL Product Marketing, Qatar
Petroleum Marketing Services (Tasweeq); Mr. Aminallah
Eskandari, Managing Director and Chairman of Board of
Directors, Hormoz Oil Refining Company (NIORDC);

38

Q&A session

3. Summary
In the closing ceremony, Mr. Masataka Sase,
Executive Director of JCCP, summarized the discussions
that took place in this year’s symposium, which focusedon management and technology innovation for security

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 2010

of oil supply. In regard to management innovation, he
indicated that all panelists identified “human resource
development” as the key to innovation and raised strong
awareness that no company can survive the trend of
globalization unless all ranks of personnel, from top
management to site workers, unite their strengths.
With respect to technology innovation, Mr. Sase
said the panelists gave inspiring presentations on thechallenges that are being addressed in their respective
countries to produce high-value products from all typesof hydrocarbon resources, from methane to heavy oil.
However, as each country is working independently
to attain a goal that is common to both oil producing
and consuming countries, Mr. Sase emphasized thesignificance of all countries coming together to learn
from each other in an exchange of information, andcalled on all participants to further strengthen their bondsof mutual cooperation in the future.
In this year’s symposium, the keynote speechdelivered by Mr. Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director of
IEA, noted that we must prepare to address a “creeping
oil crisis,” which distinctively differs from the oil crisesof the 1970s. JCCP has consistently focused on stable oil
supply as an overriding theme of our annual international
symposiums, and feel that the time has come for oil
producing and consuming countries to cooperate inachieving technology and management innovation basedon their longstanding relationships of trust. For our part,
we will strengthen our commitment to serving as a bridge
between oil producing and consuming countries andcreating opportunities for mutual cooperation.
<by Hisayoshi Tanda, Administration Dept.>

The 28th JCCP International Symposium Program“Innovation of Technology and Management in Oil Downstream: For Security of Oil Supply”
Date

Time

Jan. 27 (Wed)14:00 – 15:45

Proceedings
Opening ceremony
Opening address:
Mr. Yaichi Kimura, President of JCCP
Guest of honor speech:
Mr. Masaaki Kimura, Director-General, Natural Resources and Fuel
Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI
Keynote speeches:
Mr. Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
Mr. Mohammed A. Al-Omair, Executive Director, Reﬁning and NGL
Fractionation, Saudi Aramco

15:45 – 17:30

Special lectures(1) Mr. Mubarak S. Al Ketbi, Manager, Crude & Condensate Division,
Marketing & Reﬁning Directorate, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company(ADNOC) (UAE)(2) Mr. He Zhoyun, Vice President, Economics & Development ResearchInstitute, SINOPEC (China)(3) Dr. Pramod Kumar Karunakaran, Managing Director/CEO, Ethylene
Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PETRONAS) (Malaysia)

Jan. 28 (Thu)

18:00 – 20:00

Reception

9:30 – 12:00

Session 1 “Management Innovation”

13:30 – 16:00

Session 2 “Technology Innovation”

16:00 – 16:10

Closing address: Mr. Masataka Sase, Executive Director of JCCP

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 201039

Keynote Speeches
Country

Organization

Name

Title

Japan

International Energy Agency(IEA)

Mr. Nobuo Tanaka

Executive Director

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Aramco

Mr. Mohammed A. Al-Omair

Executive Director, Reﬁning and
NGL Fractionation

Guest Speeches
Country

Organization

Name

Title

UAE

Abu Dhabi National Oil
Company (ADNOC)

Mr. Mubarak S. Al Ketbi

Manager, Crude & Condensate
Division, Marketing & Reﬁning
Directorate

China

SINOPEC

Mr. He Zhoyun

Vice President, Economics &Development Research Institute

Malaysia

Ethylene Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
(PETRONAS)

Mr. Pramod Kumar
Karunakaran

Managing Director/CEO

Session 1: Management Innovation
Chairman: Mr. Takeshi Kurosaki, Executive Corporate Ofﬁcer in Charge of Petroleum Reﬁning
Department, Japan Energy Corporation
Country

Company

Name

Title

Oman

Oman Reﬁneries &Petrochemicals Company(ORPC)Mr. Masoud Salim Al Msalmy

General Manager, Corporate
Support Division

UAE

Abu Dhabi National Oil
Company (ADNOC)

Mr. Hashem Y. Al Refaei

Manager, Marketing Research &Administration Division, Marketing& Reﬁning Directorate

Indonesia

PERTAMINA

Ms. Nina Nurlina Pramono

Vice President, People
Management of Human Resources

Nigeria

Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC)

Mr. A. O. Oniwon

Group Executive Director,
Reﬁneries & Petrochemicals

Japan

Japan Energy Corporation

Mr. Shinji Takasu

General Manager, Reﬁning
Technology, Petroleum Reﬁning
Department

Session 2: Technology Innovation
Chairman: Mr. Sei Tange, Executive Vice President and CMO, JGC Corporation
Country

Company

Name

Title

Qatar

Qatar Petroleum Marketing
Services (Tasweeq)

Mr. Mark G. Lawrence

Head of GTL Product Marketing

Iran

Hormoz Oil Reﬁning
Company (NIORDC)

Mr. Aminallah Eskandari

Managing Director and Chairmanof Board of Directors

KuwaitKuwait National Petroleum
Company (KNPC)

Mr. Asaad Ahmad Al-Saad

Deputy Chairman & Deputy
Managing Director, Mina
Al-Ahmadi ReﬁneryJapan

JGC Corporation

Mr. Takashi Yasuda

Executive Ofﬁcer, Senior General
Manager, R&D Division

40

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 2010

Topics

The 27th JCCP International Symposium“Future Vision of the Oil Industry:
Creating Value from Hydrocarbons and Approaches to New
Energy Systems”

Participants of the symposium

On January 28 and 29, 2009, JCCP held “The27th JCCP International Symposium” under the
auspices of the Ministry of Economy, Trade andIndustry (METI). The two-day event drew anaudience of 372 visitors.

Opening address:
Mr. Yaichi Kimura, President of JCCP

1. Theme and Goal
The theme of this year’s symposium was “Future
Vision of the Oil Industry: Creating Value from
Hydrocarbons and Approaches to New Energy
Systems.”

Guest of honor speech:
Mr. Shinsuke Kitagawa, Director-General,
Natural Resources and Fuel Department, METIJCCP NEWS No. 104 June 200941

Oil consumption is increasing in newly emerging
economies, and is adding new strains on the global
oil market. Oil-producing and oil-consuming
countries must therefore cooperate in addressing
the common issue of mitigating the increase inoil consumption, by seeking even more advanced
utilization of oil through promotion of energy
conservation, introduction of renewable energies,
and petrochemical integration.
In this year’s symposium, leading engineers from
Middle East and Asian oil-producing countries,
as well as from Japanese oil companies, wereinvited to share the initiatives for effective oilutilization that are implemented in their respective
countries. By providing a forum for mutual sharingof experience, the symposium aimed to create acommon awareness that such personal exchange
of information is vital to the efficient introductionof relevant technologies.

2. Overview(1) First Day: Opening Ceremony (January 28)
The symposium began with an opening address
by Mr. Yaichi Kimura, President of JCCP. This wasfollowed by a greeting from the guest of honor,
Mr. Shinsuke Kitagawa, Director-General of the
Natural Resources and Fuel Department, METI, anda keynote speech by Mr. Nasser D. Al Mahasher,
General Manager, Saudi Petroleum, Ltd.
Mr. Kimura stressed the need to appreciate more
seriously than ever the true value of oil today, andspoke about the important responsibility of theoil downstream sector in oil-producing and oilconsuming countries. Based on the understandingthat the oil refining industry plays an important rolein converting oil into petroleum and petrochemical
products, Mr. Kimura pointed out that the extent
to which we can achieve effective utilization ofoil depends on how much we are able to develop
advanced oil refining technologies. Therefore, inthis respect, we need to renew our awareness that
we bear an important responsibility to the next
generation.
Mr. Kitagawa of METI stated that creating newvalues in the oil industry is a common issue to42

Keynote speech:
Mr. Nasser D. Al Mahasher, General Manager,
Saudi Petroleum, Ltd.

oil-producing and oil-consuming countries, andexpressed his expectations that fruitful exchangesof views will take place in the symposium.
Mr. Al Mahasher, in his keynote speech, spoke
about increasing the value of oil, summarized asfollows: Saudi Aramco has the responsibility toprovide stable supplies of oil to the world. We havea continuous production capacity of 12 million b/din the upstream sector. In the downstream sector, weare developing integrated petrochemical refineries,
including the PetroRabigh joint venture with
Sumitomo Chemical, to increase the value of oil.
Oil still exists in relative abundance today, but the
precious resource will eventually run dry. Therefore,
Saudi Aramco will continue to make every effort
to maximize the value of our precious oil resource.
Today, we are seeing less implementation of major
projects due to the recent global downturn, but Saudi
Aramco is looking beyond this short-term trend.
We must not lose sight of long-term oil-related
needs and opportunities. Companies that are able
to keep a steady eye on the future are sure to enjoy
even greater success when the global economy
recovers.
Mr. Al Mahasher also used the Japanese
expression “a-un no kokyu,” which roughly
translates into “being in sync with each other without
using gestures or words,” and called on everyone toendure together and successfully emerge from thecurrent difficulties to a bright future in the spirit of“a-un no kokyu.”

JCCP NEWS No. 104 June 2009

The 27th JCCP International Symposium Program“Future Vision of the Oil Industry:
Creating Value from hydrocarbons and Approaches to New Energy Systems”
Date

Time

Jan. 28 (Wed)14:00 – 15:00

15:15 – 17:40

Proceedings
Opening ceremony
Opening address:

Mr. Yaichi Kimura, President of JCCP

Guest of honor speech:

Mr. Shinsuke Kitagawa, Director-General of
the Natural Resources and Fuel Department,
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy,
METI

Keynote:Mr. Nasser D. Al Mahasher, General
Manager, Saudi Petroleum, Ltd.

Guest speech(1) Mr. Vikram M. Sampat, Vice President, Petroleum Business,
Reliance Industries Limited (India)(2) Mr. Seiji Takeuchi, General Manager, Planning and Coordination
Ofﬁce, Rabigh Project, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan)(3) Dr. Fereidun Fesharaki, Chairman, FACTS Global Energy(United States)(4) Mr. Abubakr Amer Al-Saiari, Liaison Coordinator, Human Resources,
Qatar Petroleum (Qatar)Jan. 29 (Thu)

18:00 – 20:00

Reception

9:30 – 12:00

Session 1 “Challenge of the Petroleum Industry to Seek Maximum Valuefrom Hydrocarbons—Towards the Best Mix of Future Energy Systems—”

13:30 – 16:00

Session 2 “Challenge of the Petroleum Industry to Seek Maximum Valuefrom Hydrocarbons—Towards Consumer-Producer Cooperation—”

16:00 – 16:10

Closing address: Mr. Masataka Sase, Executive Director of JCCP

Keynote Speech
Country

Organization

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Petroleum, Ltd.

Name
Mr. Nasser D. Al Mahasher

Title
General Manager

Guest Speeches
Country

Organization

Name
Mr. Vikram M. Sampat

Title

India

Reliance Industries Limited

Japan

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. Mr. Seiji Takeuchi

General Manager, Planning and
Coordination Ofﬁce, Rabigh Project

USA

FACTS Global Energy

Dr. Fereidun Fesharaki

Chairman

Qatar

Qatar Petroleum

Mr. Abubakr Amer Al-Saiari

Liaison Coordinator, Human
Resources

JCCP NEWS No. 104 June 2009

Vice President

43

(2) First Day: Special Lectures (January 28)
Following Mr. Al Mahasher’s keynote speech,
guest speakers Mr. Vikram M. Sampat, Vice
President, Petroleum Business, Reliance Industries
Limited; Mr. Seiji Takeuchi, General Manager,
Planning and Coordination Office, Rabigh Project,
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.; Dr. Fereidun
Fesharaki, Chairman, FACTS Global Energy; andMr. Abubakr Amer Al-Saiari, Liaison Coordinator,
Human Resources, Qatar Petroleum, gave special
lectures.
Mr. Sampat stated that maintaining competitive
strength is extremely difficult to do in the turmoilof today’s global economy, and emphasized theimportance of enhancing technological capabilities
and strengthening business management technologies.
Mr. Takeuchi spoke about PetroRabigh, and defined
it as a major project that offers three benefits:large-scale equipment, advanced technologies, andinexpensive feedstock, and that aims to contributeto promoting industries and creating employment in
Saudi Arabia as a worldwide leader in the chemicalindustry. Dr. Fesharaki estimated the fair prices ofcrude oil, and gave note that investments need tobe made extremely carefully, especially since somany countries are pushing forward with projects
for the construction of refineries and cracking units,that by 2010 or so the global market may become
saturated with excessive supplies of oil products.
Lastly, Mr. Al-Saiari articulated the importance ofhuman resource development, emphasizing the needto systematically develop outstanding personnel,
as they are the key to the success of large-scale
projects.

(3) Second Day: Discussion Sessions(January 29)(i) Session 1 (morning session)
Mr. Keizoh Takeuchi, Director and SeniorVice President, Nippon Petroleum Refining Co.,
Ltd., chaired Session 1. The panelists included
Mr. Howard Bevan, Senior Business Planner,
Corporate Planning Department, Qatar Petroleum;
Dr. Jihad M. Mohaidat, Technology Department
Manager, Industries Unit, MASDAR-Abu Dhabi
Future Energy Company; Mr. Ahmad S. Al-Jemaz,
Deputy Managing Director, Shuaiba Refinery,
Kuwait National Petroleum Company; and Mr.
Hiroji Adachi, Executive Officer and General
Manager, Technical Service Department, Nippon
Oil Corporation.
After the panelists delivered their presentations,
Mr. Takeuchi summarized Session 1 discussions asfollows: Oil-producing and oil-consuming countries
are both actively implementing initiatives for theeffective utilization of oil resources. However,in order to bring success to such large projects, aframework of worldwide cooperation based on a
global perspective is essential. In this respect, JCCP
serves an important role: to more strongly than everpromote training, technical cooperation, and humanresource development.

Session 1 panelists: Representing Japan, Kuwait, UAE,
and Qatar (from the left)

Session 2 panelists: Representing Japan, Saudi Arabia,
UAE, China, and Iran (from the left)

44(ii) Session 2 (afternoon session)
Mr. Junjiro Kuramochi, Director and General
Manager, Manufacturing Department, Idemitsu Kosan
Co., Ltd., chaired Session 2. The panelists included
Mr. Seyed Morteza Elahi, Director of Planningand Projects Control, Pars Oil and Gas Company;

JCCP NEWS No. 104 June 2009

Mr. Chaohui Huang, Section Chief, Comprehensive
Plan Department, SINOPEC Zhenhai Refining &Chemical Company; Mr. Ahmed Omar Abdulla,
Assistant General Manager, Operations, Abu Dhabi
Oil Refining Company (TAKREER); Mr. Hussain A.
Al-Qahtani, Director, Joint Manufacturing Program,
Ras Tanura Integrated Petrochemical Project, Saudi
Aramco; and Mr. Katsumi Teraoka, Executive Chief
Engineer, Manufacturing Department, Idemitsu
Kosan Co., Ltd.

After the panelists delivered their presentations,
Mr. Kuramochi summarized Session 2 discussions,and concluded as follows: When considering thefinite nature of natural resources, it is imperativethat oil-producing and oil-consuming countries
mutually pursue the noble use of oil, by promoting
oil and petrochemical integration, increasing thevalue of oil, and saving energy.

Session 1: Challenge of the Petroleum Industry to Seek Maximum Value from Hydrocarbons—Towards the Best Mix of Future Energy Systems—
Chairman: Mr. Keizoh Takeuchi, Director, Senior Vice President, Nippon Petroleum Reﬁning Co.,Ltd.
Country

Company

Name

Title

Qatar

Qatar Petroleum

Mr. Howard Bevan

Senior Business Planner,
Corporate Planning Department

UAE

MASDAR – Abu Dhabi
Future Energy Company

Dr. Jihad M. Mohaidat

Manager, Technology Department,
Industries Unit

KuwaitShuaiba Reﬁnery, Kuwait
Mr. Ahmad S. Al-Jemaz
National Petroleum Company

Deputy Managing Director

Japan

Nippon Oil Corporation

Executive Ofﬁcer and General
Manager, Technical Service
Department

Mr. Hiroji Adachi

Session 2: Challenge of the Petroleum Industry to Seek Maximum Value from Hydrocarbons—Towards Consumer-Producer Cooperation—
Chairman: Mr. Junjiro Kuramochi, Director and General Manager, Manufacturing Department,
Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
Country

CompanyName
Mr. Seyed Morteza Elahi

Title

Iran

Pars Oil and Gas Company

China

SINOPEC Zhenhai Reﬁning & Mr. Chaohui Huang
Chemical Company

Section Chief, Comprehensive Plan
Department

UAE

Abu Dhabi Oil Reﬁning
Company (TAKREER)

Mr. Ahmed Omar Abdulla

Assistant General Manager

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Aramco
Ras Tanura Reﬁnery

Mr. Hussain A. Al-Qahtani

Director, Joint Manufacturing
Program, Integrated Petrochemical
Project

Japan

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.

Mr. Katsumi Teraoka

Executive Chief Engineer,
Manufacturing Department

JCCP NEWS No. 104 June 2009

Director, Planning and Projects
Control45

Summary speech:
Mr. Masataka Sase, Executive Director of JCCP

3. Summary
In closing the symposium, Mr. Sase summarized
the two days of discussions as follows: In the
Middle East and Asia, there are many plans for theconstruction of new refineries. Through advanced
integration, these refineries are designed under the
principle of pursuing added value to the extreme.
This situation has made me realize anew that adding
value is a common issue for both oil-producing
and oil-consuming countries. From the corporate
perspective, pursuing added value translates intohigher productivity, and from the social perspective,
it means achieving efficient use of petroleum,
reducing environmental burden, and conserving
precious oil resources. Therefore, enhancing thevalue of oil is an important challenge for both oilproducing and oil-consuming countries, one whichmust be addressed through mutual cooperation.

Symposium audience

Mr. Sase then closed the symposium byarticulating JCCP’s commitment to promotepersonnel and technical exchange between oilproducing and oil-consuming countries andcontribute to creating new values of oil.
This year ’s symposium was held amidst
the worldwide financial crisis that began lastSeptember. However, country representatives
agreed that “although projects may see a slight delay
due to the temporary fluctuation in the economy,
it is important to look ahead to achieve advanced
utilization of oil in the long term,” and voiced their
expectations of Japan’s cooperation in developing
human resources and corporate culture as a means
for bringing those projects to success. To respond tothese expectations, JCCP will continue promoting
training and technical cooperation programs in the
future.
<by Hisayoshi Tanda, Administration Dept.>

46

JCCP NEWS No. 104 June 2009

Participants of the symposium

TopicsThe 26th JCCP International Symposium“The Role of the Oil Downstream Sector
from the Perspective of Stable Energy Supply”
On February 6 and 7, 2008, “The 26th
JCCP International Symposium” washeld under the auspices of the Ministryof Economy, Trade and Industry. As the
symposium took place just as the crude
oil price had exceeded 100 dollars per
barrel, it attracted greater attention thanever before, and drew an audience of
close to 300 participants.

Symposium ThemeT h i s y e a r ’s s y m p o s i u m w a s
conducted under the theme, “The Roleof the Oil Downstream Sector from the
Perspective of Stable Energy Supply—
The Necessity and Possibilities ofInternational Collaboration.”
Today, the issue of securing a stableoil supply is a worldwide concern.
The objective of the symposium
was to therefore seek avenues forsecuring a stable supply of oil, throughdiscussions among guests and panelists
from Japan and abroad, on issues andcountermeasures commonly faced in
the oil downstream sector. JCCP hoped
to promote the awareness that “it isimportant for oil-producing and oilconsuming countries to step beyond theirroles, to cooperate in resolving issues
in the oil industry, while sharing theirexperience with each other,” and that“promoting cooperation and deepening
the engagement between oil-producing
and oil-consuming countries is the key
to securing a stable energy supply.”

Symposium Overview(1) Opening Ceremony(February 6, 2008)
On the first day, the symposium
began with an opening address by Mr.
JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 2008

Akira Idemitsu, President of JCCP,
followed by a greeting by the guest ofhonor, Mr. Shinsuke Kitagawa, DirectorGeneral of the Natural Resources andFuel Department, Agency for Natural
Resources and Energy, Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI),
and an introduction of the chairmen
and panelists of Sessions 1 and 2 by
Mr. Mikio Kojima, Executive Directorof JCCP. Following this, Mr. Idemitsu
gave a keynote speech.
In his greeting, Mr. Kitagawa firstwelcomed all the guests from abroad
who had come to Japan to participate in
the symposium. He then spoke about thesignificance of the close relationshipsthat oil-producing countries and Japan’soil downstream sector have built over
the years. Today, the crude oil market isundergoing a great change in response
to increasing global demands for oil, but
47

Guest of honor speech
Mr. Shinsuke Kitagawa, Director-General
Natural Resources and Fuel Department
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI

Japan nonetheless continues to receive
a stable supply of crude oil, owing
precisely to the strong relationship oftrust it has cultivated with oil-producing
countries. Representing METI, Mr.
Kitagawa also expressed his hopesthat JCCP will continue to implement
activities that respond to the needsof oil-producing countries, and thatthe mutually beneficial relationships
between JCCP and those countries willcontinue to grow even stronger.
Mr. Idemitsu, in his keynote speech,
stressed the importance of oil and thenecessity of ensuring its sustainable supply.
He explained that oil is indispensable toautomobile, airplanes, and other modernmeans of transportation, as well as animportant petrochemical raw material,from which various types of plastics
and chemicals are made. It is a precious
resource that must not be depleted byour generation. Mr. Idemitsu emphasizedthat it is our responsibility to the next
generation, to reconsider the role of theoil downstream sector and ensure a stableoil supply for the future.
(2) Special Lectures(February 6, 2008)
Following Mr. Idemitsu’s keynote
speech, Dr. Ken Koyama, Board
Member of The Institute of Energy
Economics, Japan, and Mr. Waleed H.
Al-Bedaiwi, General Manager, Saudi
Petroleum, Ltd., were asked to give a
special lecture as guest speakers.
After briefly summarizing today’s
global energy situation, Dr. Koyama
discussed the evolving relationshipbetween the Middle East and Asia. He
stated that the Middle East and Asia
are gradually forming an inseparable
relationship, in which they mutually

Special lecture
Dr. Ken Koyama, Board Member
The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan

48

Keynote speech
Mr. Akira Idemitsu, President of JCCP

depend upon each other. This is because
the two regions are the growth centersof the world. Asia’s growth could
provide an enormous oil market to
the Middle East, and growth in the
Middle East would allow Asia to importa large supply of oil. In the future,investments are expected to increase inboth directions, from the Middle East toAsia, and vice versa, and bring the tworegions closer to each other.
Mr. Al-Bedaiwi spoke about thesignificant relationship between oilproducing and oil-consuming countries,
likening the relationship to “the twosides of a coin,” which are inseparablefrom the other. He closed his lecture,by articulating Saudi Aramco’s strong
vow to join hands with its partners in
the oil downstream sector, to upholdits responsibility of providing a stablesupply of oil.

Special lecture
Mr. Waleed H. Al-Bedaiwi, General Manager
Saudi Petroleum, Ltd.

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 2008

(3) Discussion Sessions(February 7, 2008)
The second day of the symposiumfeatured Session 1 discussions in themorning and Session 2 discussions
in the afternoon. They arrived at thefollowing conclusions.

1) Session 1
Theme: Management Issues in
the Oil Downstream Sector for
Contributing to Globally Stable
Supply of Energy
The chairman of Session 1, Mr.
Isao Kusakabe, Executive Officer& General Manager, International
Ventures Department, Cosmo Oil Co.,
Ltd., summarized Session 1 discussions
as follows: “Many countries today areexperiencing rapid economic growth, asituation that will make the world evermore oil-dependent in the future. At

26th JCCP International Symposium Program
The Role of the Oil Downstream Sector from the Perspective of Stable Energy Supply
Date
Feb. 6 (Wed)Time
2:00 – 3:00 pm

Proceedings
Opening ceremonyUÊ "«i}Ê>``ÀiÃÃ\Ê
Mr. Akira Idemitsu, President of JCCPUÊ ÕiÃÌÊvÊ ÀÊÃ«iiV \Ê
Mr. Shinsuke Kitagawa, Director-General, Natural Resources and Fuel
Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METIUÊ ÌÀ`ÕVÌÊvÊÃiÃÃÊV >ÀiÊ>`Ê«>iÃÌÃ\ÊMr. Mikio Kojima, Executive Director of JCCPUÊ iÞÌiÊÃ«iiV \Ê
Mr. Akira Idemitsu, President of JCCP

3:15 – 5:40 pm

Special lecturesUÊÀ°ÊiÊÞ>>Board Member, The Institute of Energy Economics, JapanUÊ À°Ê7>ii`Ê°Ê i`>Ü
General Manager, Saudi Petroleum, Ltd.
UÊ À°Ê-ÕÌ>Êi >À
Director, Marketing & Reﬁning, Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC)

Feb. 7 (Thu)

6:00 – 8:00 pm

Reception

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Session I “Management Issues in the Oil Downstream Sector for
Contributing to Globally Stable Supply of Energy”

12:00 – 1:30 pm

Lunch break

1:30 – 4:00 pm

Session II “Technological Issues in the Oil Downstream Sector for
Contributing to Globally Stable Supply of Energy”

4:00 – 4:10 pm

Closing greeting: Mr. Mikio Kojima, Executive Director of JCCP

Special Lectures
Country

Organization

Name

Title

Japan

The Institute of Energy Economics,
Japan

Dr. Ken Koyama

Board Member
Director, Strategy and Industry
Research Unit

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Petroleum, Ltd.

Mr. Waleed H. Al-Bedaiwi

General Manager

UAE

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC)

Mr. Sultan Al-Mehairi

Director, Marketing & Reﬁning(on behalf of Mr. Hashem Y. Al-Refaei, Marketing Research &Administration Manager)

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 200849

Session 1 panelists(From the right: Indonesia, Oman,
Qatar, UAE, Japan)

Session 2 panelists(From the right: Iran, Kuwait,
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Japan)

the same time, however, we are facing
a number of serious issues, such as
drastic increases in crude oil prices,
environmental issues that call for
stringent regulations, growing demands
for petroleum products, and the needto seek measures for securing a stableoil supply. Given this situation, urgent
attention must be directed to expanding
and upgrading refinery facilities anddeveloping human resources. As Japanand oil-producing countries share thesame oil downstream issues, we must
harness our efforts to secure a globallystable supply of oil. Relationships of trustthat are born from such collaboration
would also provide greater ‘energy
security.’”2) Session 2
Theme: Technological Issues in
the Oil Downstream Sector for
Contributing to Globally Stable
Supply of Energy
The chairman of Session 2, Mr.
Keiichi Matsumoto, Director & Senior
Executive Officer of Toyo Engineering
Corporation, identified the following
three technical issues from among
various issues confronting the oil

50

downstream sector in each country, as
common issues that have a particularly
large impact on a globally stable supplyof energy.
The first issue is the growing demand
for gasoline and diesel oil, and measures
for satisfying that demand, such asincreasing heavy oil cracking capacity
and adopting deep desulfurization
technologies. In every country, demands
for transportation fuel, such as gasoline
and diesel oil, are increasing, while
demands for heavy oil are decreasing.
For this reason, there is an urgent needto construct and expand the capacities
of facilities that crack heavy oil andconvert it to gasoline and diesel oil.
Desulfurization technologies are alsosought, to produce petroleum productsthat comply with environmental
standards that are becoming more andmore stringent the world over.

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 2008

The second issue is the decrease inheavy oil demand and the increase ofvalue-added petroleum products. As acountermeasure to the decreasing demandfor heavy oil, heavy oil should either be
converted to light oil, by introducing acracking unit, or to higher value-added
products, such as by introducing a
residual oil direct desulfurization unit,
solvent dewaxing unit, or IGCC, toproduce thermal power, steam energy,
electric power, or synthetic gas.
The third issue is safety andenvironmental measures. Ensuringsafety requires the proper maintenancemanagement of facilities, utilization of
appropriate tools, and awareness-raisingof employees. Environmental measures
should not only focus on preventing air
and water pollution, but must also pay
due consideration to other issues, such as
the reduction of industrial waste.

(4) Summary
Lastly, Mr. Kojima summarized
the two days of discussions and poseda thought for everyone to consider. He
stated that the oil downstream sector

Session I:
Chairman:Country

must fulfill an important role in securing
a globally stable supply of energy.
“Therefore,” he asked, “shouldn’t
the players in the downstream sector
mutually cooperate and make active

efforts to serve as a bridge between
oil-producing and oil-consuming
countries?” The symposium came toan end on this thought-provoking note.
<by Hisayoshi Tanda,
Administration Dept.>

Management Issues in the Oil Downstream Sector for Contributing to Globally Stable Supply of Energy
Mr. Isao Kusakabe, Executive Ofﬁcer & General Manager, International Ventures Department,
Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd.
Company

Name

Title

Indonesia

PT PERTAMINA

Mr. Gigih Prakoso

Manager, Corporate Business
Planning and Development

Qatar

Qatar Petroleum

Dr. Ali Hamed Al-Mulla

Manager, Corporate Environment
and Sustainable Development

Oman

Oman Reﬁnery Company L.L.C.

Mr. Said Waleed Q. Al-Zadjali

Manager, Procurement, Contracts &InventoryUAE

Abu Dhabi Oil Reﬁning Co.
(TAKREER)

Mr. Sultan Saeed Al-Muhairi

Abu Dhabi Reﬁnery Division
ManagerJapan

Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd.

Mr. Hirohiko Kato

General Manager, International
Business Dept.

Session II:
Chairman:Country

Technological Issues in the Oil Downstream Sector for Contributing to Globally Stable Supply of Energy
Mr. Keiichi Matsumoto, Director, Senior Executive Ofﬁcer, General Manager, Plant Engineering Center,Toyo Engineering Corporation
Company

Name

Title

Iran

National Iranian Oil Reﬁning and Mr. Amin Allah Eskandari
Distribution Company (NIORDC)

KuwaitKuwait National Petroleum Co.

Mr. Mohammed Ghazi Al-Mutairi Deputy Managing Director,
Mina Abdulla Reﬁnery

Nigeria

Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation

Engr. Onochi A. Anyaoku

Group Executive Director, Reﬁning
and Petrochemicals Directorate

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Aramco

Mr. Ali Alhazmi

Superintendent, Riyadh Reﬁnery
Operation DivisionJapan

Toyo Engineering Corporation

Mr. Tomomichi Tomita

General Manager, Process Systems
Engineering Division

Scene of the Symposium

Director, Reﬁning Affairs

Closing address
Mr. Mikio Kojima, Executive Director of JCCP

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 2008

51

Topics

The 18th Joint GCC-Japan
Environment Symposium—Environment & Water Resources for Our Future—
The 18th Joint GCC-Japan Environment Symposium
was jointly organized with Bahrain Centre for Studies &Research (BCSR), and was held over a three-day period
from February 8 to 10 in Bahrain, under the theme,“Environment & Water Resources for Our Future.”

Background
JCCP has held the Joint GCC-Japan Environment
Symposium annually to provide a forum for informationexchange among environmental experts in the GCC
countries and Japan, and fiscal 2009 marked the 18th
convening of the symposium.

Overview
Some 230 participants from the GCC countries
and Japan, the largest number ever, attended theopening ceremony, which was held on the 8th. They
included such key figures as H.E. Dr. Mohammed J.
K. Alghatam, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
BCSR; Dr. Abdulla M. Alsadiq, Secretary-General of
BSCR; Dr. Eion Turnbull, Deputy Chief Executive(Refining & Marketing) of the Bahrain Petroleum
Company (BAPCO), which provided special assistancein implementing the symposium by hosting a BAPCOsponsored reception on the evening of February 8; H.E.
Mr. Hideo Sato, Ambassador of Japan to Bahrain; andDr. Junzo Kasahara, Professor Emeritus at the Universityof Tokyo (and leader of the Japanese delegation).
Dr. Alsadiq, Dr. Turnbull, Ambassador Sato and Mr.
Morihiro Yoshida, Managing Director of JCCP, eachgave an opening address.
Dr. Alsadiq thanked the guests for attending the
symposium, and expressed his expectations that the
symposium will provide hints for resolving water
resource and climate change issues in the GCC region.
He noted that, as environmental issues are a large
concern to the GCC countries where water resources
are limited, it is highly meaningful to have Japaneseand GCC experts mutually share their knowledge andexchange views on issues of concern to the region inthis symposium.
Dr. Turnbull emphasized our responsibility toseriously address environmental issues today as leadersin the field, although whether we succeed or not in doing
so can only be judged by the next generation. He said
he was confident that technological innovations thatwill be introduced in the symposium would bring us
new possibilities.
Ambassador Sato noted that this environment
symposium, launched in 1992 as a greening seminar andheld for roughly 20 years since, provides an opportunity
to address the issue of global warming, particularlyin the GCC region where environmental issues havebecome pronounced after the Gulf War. He encouraged

Commemorative photo at the opening ceremony

52

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 2010

all participants to learn and benefit from the knowledgeof the Japanese and GCC experts.
Mr. Yoshida, after giving a brief introduction of
JCCP and an overview of JCCP technical cooperation
projects and training programs, asserted that Japan’s
advanced environmental technologies would be effectivein addressing environmental issues that are raisingwidespread concern in the GCC countries, and stressed
the importance of this symposium.
Three keynote lectures followed the opening
speeches. On the Japanese side, Dr. Kasahara gave alecture under the title, “An innovative method for the
4D monitor of storage in CCS (Carbon dioxide Captureand Storage) and oil and gas reservoirs and aquifers.” On
the Bahrain side, lectures were given by Mr. Essa G. AlAnsari, General Manager of Major Engineering Projects
at BAPCO, and Prof. Waleed Al-Zubari, Vice-Presidentof Academic Affairs at Arabian Gulf University.
After the keynote lectures, 19 Japanese GCC experts
gave presentations in four separate discussion sessions.
N February 8
Session 1: Energy and Gas Industry andSustainability
Session 2: Water Resources and Environmental
Protection
N February 9
Session 3: Climate Change and Global Warming
Session 4: Future Perspective for Energy, Water
and Environment
Many of the presentations given by GCC experts
focused on “water” and “the environment.” This isunderstandable, since the symposium was originallydesigned as a greening seminar. However, it also
indicated the GCC countries’ consistently strong interest
and concern in issues related to the environment andwater resources.

A closing ceremony was held on the 9th following
the final discussion session. Dr. Mohammed S.
Al-Ansari, Director of the Publication & Data Warehouse
at BCSR and Chairperson of the Organizing Committeeof the Environment Symposium, and M. Nakamura,Manager of the Technical Cooperation Dept. at JCCP,
officially closed this year’s symposium after thanking
all symposium participants and everyone from BCSR
and BAPCO for their cooperation.
On the 10th, the Japanese delegation visited a
BAPCO refinery, accompanied by many people fromthe Bahrain side. There they visited the Low Sulphur
Diesel Production Control Center among other facilities,
and recognized anew Bahrain’s strong commitment toenvironmental conservation.
On the 7th, the day before the opening of theenvironment symposium, the JCCP Secretariat held apress conference at BCSR to present an overview of
JCCP activities and explain details of the environment
symposium. Dr. Alghatam, Dr. Alsadiq, Dr. Al-Ansari,
Mr. Yukio Ishibiki, Second Secretary of the Japanese
Embassy in Bahrain, and six Japanese lecturers also lent
their presence to the event.

Summary
The participants of the environment symposium engagedin active discussions in the four discussion sessions.
GCC experts took particular note of the presentations on
Japan’s advanced environmental technologies as potential
solutions to their environmental challenges.
Members on the JCCP side hope that this environment
symposium has helped deepen relationships between oilrelated companies and organizations in the GCC region
and JCCP. Moreover, public recognition of JCCP in
the GCC countries has increased, owing to local media
coverage of the press conference and symposium.
<by Makoto Nakamura, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

Discussion session

Press conference

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 2010

53

The 18th Joint GCC-Japan Environment Symposium
No.

CountryName

Organization

Session 1: Energy and Gas Industry and Sustainability
Chairpersons: Prof. Hidenori Yahiro, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Japan
Dr. Mohammed S. Al-Ansari, Bahrain Centre for Studies & Research
1

Saudi Arabia

Mr. Mohammad A. Hajri

Saudi Aramco

2

Japan

Mr. Shigeyuki Funada

Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd.

3

Bahrain

Mr. Ijaz Ashraf

The Bahrain Petroleum Company

4

BahrainDr. Tarek Ghalwash

Bahrain Centre for Studies & Research

Session 2: Water Resources and Environmental Protection
Chairpersons: Dr. Muhammad Al-Rashed, Kuwait Institute for Scientiﬁc ResearchEng. Nassema Al-Marzouqi, Water Distribution Directorate, Bahrain
1

KuwaitDr. Mohammad Al-Murad

Kuwait Institute for Scientiﬁc Research

2BahrainDr. Khaled BurashidElectricity & Water Authority

3

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Alaadin A. BukhariKing Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

4

Oman

Dr. Mahad Said Baawain

Sultan Qaboos University

5

Qatar

Dr. Kamel Mostafa Amer

Ministry of Environment

Session 3: Climate Change and Global Warming
Chairpersons: Dr. Waheeb Al-Naser, University of Bahrain
Dr. Ali Hamad Al-Mulla, Qatar Petroleum
1

UAE

Dr. Sayed A. M. Marzouk

UAE University

2

Japan

Dr. Ken-ichi Fujimoto

Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative
Association

3

Japan

Ms. Hikari Egami

JGC Corporation

4

BahrainDr. Mohammed S. Al-Ansari

Bahrain Centre for Studies & Research

5

BahrainDr. Majeed Safar Jasim

University of Bahrain

Session 4: Future Perspective for Energy, Water and Environment
Chairpersons: Eng. Ebrahim Al-Kaabi, Electricity and Water Authority, Bahrain
Dr. Ken-ichi Fujimoto, Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative Association, Japan
1

Japan

Dr. Kayoko Tsuruga

JGI, Inc.

2

BahrainDr. Waheeb Al-Naser

University of Bahrain

3BahrainDr. Nader Al-Masri

Bahrain Centre for Studies & Research

4

Japan

Prof. Hidenori Yahiro

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime
University

5

Bahrain

Prof. Ibrahim Abdel Gelil

College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University

Symposium venue

54

One of the Japanese lecturers: Ms. Hikari Egami,
JGC Corporation

JCCP NEWS No. 107 September 2010

Topics

The 17th Joint GCC-Japan
Environment Symposium(The 4th Joint KISR-JCCP Environment Symposium)

Participants of the symposium

JCCP and Kuwait Institute for Scientific
Research (KISR) jointly held the 17th Joint GCCJapan Environment Symposium (the 4th Joint
KISR-JCCP Environment Symposium) fromFebruary 2 to 4, 2009. The symposium was held in
Kuwait City, under the theme, “Water Resources in
the GCC and Environmental Challenges.”
This symposium has been held annually in a GCC
country as a forum for information exchange among

environmental experts in the GCC countries andJapan, and was held for the 17th time this year.
The opening ceremony was held on the 2nd, withthe attendance of more than 200 people from the
GCC countries and Japan. They included such key
figures as Dr. Naji M. Al-Mutairi, Director Generalof KISR, Mr. Jamal Al-Nouri, Managing Director –Planning of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)
who provided special assistance in implementing

Dr. Naji M. Al-Mutairi, Director General, KISR (left),
Mr. Masataka Sase, Executive Director of JCCP (right)

Dr. Takeo Kikkawa, Professor at Hitotsubashi University
Graduate School (leader of Japanese delegation)

JCCP NEWS No. 104 June 200955

Mr. Jamal Al-Nouri, Managing Director – Planning, KPC(left), Dr. Muhammad F. Al-Rashed, Director,
Water Resource Division, KISR (center)

Dr. Al-Mutairi (left), H.E. Mr. Masatoshi Muto,
Ambassador of Japan to Kuwait (right)

the symposium, H.E. Mr. Masatoshi Muto,
Ambassador of Japan to Kuwait, and Dr. Takeo
Kikkawa, Professor at Hitotsubashi University
Graduate School of Commerce and Management(leader of the Japanese delegation). Dr. Al-Mutairi,
Mr. Al-Nouri, H.E. Ambassador Muto and Mr.
Masataka Sase, Executive Director of JCCP, eachgave an opening address.
Dr. Al-Mutairi acknowledged that environmental
issues are of growing concern to the GCC countries
where water resources are limited, and stressed how
important and meaningful it is for experts fromJapan and the GCC countries to exchange viewsand engage in serious discussions on environmental
issues. He also expressed his wish that matters
discussed in this symposium will provide clues toaddressing issues concerning water resources andclimate change in the GCC countries.
Mr. Al-Nouri noted that holding the symposiumin Kuwait this year was well-timed, as it coincidedwith KPC’s company-wide undertaking to addressenvironmental issues, and said that he was looking

forward to the presentations.
H.E. Ambassador Muto explained that Japan
experienced serious public pollutions in the
1960s and 1970s, but has overcome those issues
through its own efforts, and is presently applying
the knowledge it has acquired through thatexperience to the Kuwait Gulf Treatment Projectthat is being implemented jointly with the Kuwait
Ministry of Higher Education. He also expressed
his wish that the symposium will encourage more
Japanese companies and organizations to addressenvironmental issues in Kuwait and other GCC
countries, and produce significant achievements.
Mr. Sase firstly gave a brief introduction of
JCCP, followed by an overview of JCCP technicalcooperation projects and training programs
implemented in Kuwait. He then explained theeffectiveness of Japan’s advanced environmental
technologies in addressing environmental issues
that are becoming of increasing concern in the GCC
countries, and emphasized the importance of thisenvironment symposium.

Symposium venue

Symposium session

56

JCCP NEWS No. 104 June 2009

Press conference at KISR

Japanese delegation at the press conference

The last but not the least item of the opening environmental technologies seemed to attract theceremony was Dr. Kikkawa’s keynote lecture titled strong interest of all GCC experts.
“Energy Conservation and Technological Innovation:
On the 3rd, a closing ceremony was held
Japan’s Contribution to Cool Earth.” The lecture following the completion of the second day offocused on the “Cool Earth 50” initiative, which discussions. Dr. Khaled Hadi, Manager, Hydrology
Japan had proposed in May 2007 as a post-Kyoto Department, representing KISR (on behalf of Dr.
framework. Dr. Kikkawa stated that achieving an Muhammad F. Al-Rashed, Director, Water Resource
appropriate balance between global environmental Division), and Mr. Mitsuyoshi Saito, Councilor forconservation and economic growth is essential JCCP, summarized the two days of discussions andto realizing the “Cool Earth 50” initiative, and proposed twelve recommendations concerning thethat this balance could be effectively achieved by symposium presentations. In closing, Mr. Koichi
promoting energy conservation and technological Io, Deputy General Manager, expressed his deep
innovation such as Carbon Dioxide Capture and appreciation to KISR, KPC and all participants, on
Storage (CCS) and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) behalf of JCCP.
technologies. Dr. Kikkawa also introduced the “TopOn the 4th, we visited the exhibition center andRunner Program” and “Sector by Sector Approach,” oil field (artificial oil lake created on the Burgan
which are Japan’s unique methods for reducing Oil Field) of Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), whichgreenhouse gases toward realization of “Cool Earth appeared to symbolize the deep commitment of50.” He explained that the former is producing steady Kuwait’s oil-related companies and organizations
results in the residential, commercial
and transportation sectors, and thatthe latter is proving effective inindustrial sectors.
Discussion sessions were heldon the 2nd and the 3rd. A total of 18
presentations were given under four
themes: (i) Renewable Energy for
Water Treatment and Desalination;(ii) Clean Development Mechanisms(CDM); (iii) Protection andManagement of Water Resources;and (iv) Oil & Gas Industry andEnvironmental Issues, and were
Local newspaper article on the
Local newspaper article on thefollowed by active discussions.
environment symposium
press conference
Presentations on Japan’s advanced(Arab Times)(Al Watan)
JCCP NEWS No. 104 June 200957

toward the environment.
In this environment symposium, Mr. AlNouri, Managing Director – Planning of KPC,
not only attended the opening ceremony, but also
generously hosted a KPC-sponsored reception on
the evening of the 2nd. We hope that the occasionof this environment symposium has helped deepen
relationships between oil-related companies andorganizations in Kuwait and JCCP.
Prior to the symposium, a press conference washeld at KISR on February 1, with the attendance of
Dr. Al-Rashed, Director, Water Resource Divisionof KISR, Mr. Takanori Yamashita, First Secretary at
the Embassy of Japan in Kuwait, and eight Japanese
lecturers. The JCCP Secretariat gave a statement on
the environment symposium, as well as introduced
an overview of JCCP and JCCP activities in Kuwait.
The local newspapers ran many articles on the press
conference and environment symposium, and helped
increase public recognition of JCCP in Kuwait.
We would like to extend our deepest appreciation
to everyone who has cooperated in the successful
implementation of this symposium.
<by Makoto Nakamura, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

List of speakers
No.

CountryName

Organization

Session 1: Renewable Energy for Water Treatment and Desalination
Chairperson: Dr. Muhammad F. Al-Rashed, Kuwait Institute for Scientiﬁc Research (KISR)
Prof. Katsuyuki Fujinawa, Shinshu University
1

KuwaitDr. Essam El-Sayed

Kuwait Institute for Scientiﬁc Research (KISR)

2

Japan

Mr. Eiji Wada

Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative
Association

3

Japan

Mr. Kei Omura

NTT Data CCS Corporation

4

Japan

Mr. Sueo Nagasawa

Water Re-use Promotion Center

Session 2: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Chairperson: Prof. Morihiro Kurushima, Toyo University
Mr. Mohammad Al-Fodari, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC)
5

Japan

Prof. Morihiro Kurushima

Toyo University

6

KuwaitDr. M. M. Oskay

Chevron Company

7

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Mansor Kashir

Saudi Aramco (ARAMCO)

8UAE

Dr. Ali H. Al-Marzouqi

UAE University (UAEU)

Session 3: Protection and Management of Water Resources
Chairperson: Dr. Alaadin Bukhari, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)
Mr. Mohamed Al-Senafy, Kuwait Institute for Scientiﬁc Research (KISR)
9

KuwaitDr. Meshan Al-Otaibi

Ministry of Electricity and Water

10

Japan

Prof. Katsuyuki Fujinawa

Shinshu University

11

BahrainDr. Nader Al-Masri

Bahrain Center for Studies & Research (BCSR)

12

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Nassim Al-Abed

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)

13

Oman

Mr. Saleh Said Mohammed
Al-Shoukri

Ministry of Environment and Climate

14

KuwaitDr. Amr Fadlelmawla

Kuwait Institute for Scientiﬁc Research (KISR)

Session 4: Oil & Gas Industry and Environmental Issues
Chairperson: Dr. Ali Hamad Al-Mulla, Qatar Petroleum (QP)
Mr. Fahad Al-Dihani, Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC)
15

KuwaitMr. Fadhel A. Al-Ali

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)

16

Japan

Dr. Kazuo Okamura

Shimizu Corporation

17

Qatar

Mr. Said Abdi Yusuf

Qatar Petroleum (QP)

18

Japan

Mr. Takaaki Izumi

Nippon Oil Research Institute Co., Ltd.

58

JCCP NEWS No. 104 June 2009

Topics

The 16th Joint GCC-Japan
Environment Symposium(The 4th Joint KFUPM-JCCP Environment Symposium)

Participants of the symposium

T h e 16 t h J o i n t G C C - Ja p a n
Environment Symposium (the 4th
Joint KFUPM-JCCP Environment
Symposium) was held in Dhahran, Saudi
Arabia, from January 28 to 30, 2008,by the joint sponsorship of JCCP andKing Fahd University of Petroleum &Minerals (KFUPM). The main theme ofthe symposium was “GCC Environment
and Sustainable Development.”
The symposium is held annually in a

GCC country under basic environmental
themes, and provides a forum fordiscussions among experts in theenvironment field.
An opening ceremony officiallyopened the symposium on the 28th. It
was attended by H.E. Dr. Khaled bin
Saleh Al-Sultan, Rector of KFUPM,
Dr. Sahel N. Abdul-Jauwad, Vice
Rector of KFUPM, Mr. Isam A. Bayat,
Vice President, Engineering Services,

H.E. Dr. Khaled bin Saleh Al-Sultan, Rector of KFUPM

Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi
Aramco), and H.E. Hiroshi Oka, Chargéd’Affaires, Embassy of Japan to Saudi
Arabia, in addition to more than 140
participants. H.E. Dr. Al-Sultan, Mr.
Bayat, H.E. Mr. Oka, and Mr. Katsuo
Yokoyama, Managing Director of JCCP,
each gave an opening address.
H.E . D r. A l- Su lt a n st rong ly
acknowledged that environmental
considerations are essential to the

Mr. Isam A. Bayat, Vice President of Saudi Aramco

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 200859

H.E. Hiroshi Oka, Chargé d’Affaires,
Embassy of Japan to Saudi Arabia

sust a i nable development of t he
GCC countries, and expressed highexpectations that the symposium will
discuss topics of particular relevanceto the environment in the region, suchas water resources and climate change.
Mr. Bayat com mented on thetimeliness of holding this environment
symposium in Saudi Arabia, just at atime when Saudi Aramco is making
company-wide effor ts to addressenvironmental issues, and said he waslooking forward to what would be
discussed.
H.E. Mr. Oka stated that Japan and
the GCC countries have a long-standing
relationship in the energy sector, but arelationship of cooperation is rapidly
evolving in the environment sector as
well. He said that he is extremely pleased
to see a strengthening of relationships
between JCCP and the national oil
companies, research institutions, anduniversities in the GCC countries, in

Mr. Katsuo Yokoyama, Managing Director of JCCP

the environment sector.
Mr. Yokoyama, after giving a brief
overview of JCCP technical cooperation
projects in Saudi Arabia, stated that
it was a great pleasure to be able tohold this environment symposiumin the GCC countries each year, andemphasized the fact that environmental
issues cannot be solved by one country’s
efforts alone, but requires global level
initiatives.
Discussion sessions held on the
28th and 29th featured 15 presentations
on fou r topics : (i) Sust a i nable
Environmental Development; (ii) Oil
Industry and Environmental Issues;(iii) Environmental Rehabilitation;and (iv) Research and Development inEnvironment. Active discussions took
place in each session.
On the 29th, a closing ceremony
was held following the completion of
the discussion session. Representing
KFUPM, Dr. Walid A. Abderrahman,

Opening ceremony

60

Professor, Water Resource Management,summarized the two days of sessions,and representing JCCP, Koichi Io,
Deputy General Manager, TechnicalCooperation Department, took theopportunity to thank KFUPM, Saudi
Aramco, and all participants for their
participation in the symposium.
During the two days of discussion
sessions, some participants from the
GCC countries asked whether theJapanese lecturers could also delivera presentation at an environmental
conference to be held in their respective
countries. The participants apparently
found the presentations on Japan’s
advanced environmental technologies
to be highly beneficial.
On the 30th, we visited a coastalmangrove nursery at Saudi Aramco’s
Ras Tanura Refinery. We saw thenursery as an indication of Saudi
Aramco’s strong commitment to theenvironment.

Symposium session

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 2008

In this environment symposium, Mr.
Bayat, Vice President of Saudi Aramco,
not only attended the opening ceremony,
but also hosted a reception for all guests(on the 28th). Taking the opportunityof his generous cooperation, we hope
to further deepen JCCP’s relationshipwith Saudi Aramco.
On January 27, the day prior toholding the symposium, we held apress conference at KFUPM. With theattendance of Dr. Abdul-Jauwad, Vice
Rector of KFUPM, H.E. Mr. Oka,
and five Japanese lecturers, we madean announcement on the environment
symposium scheduled to be held thenext day, and provided an overview
of JCCP activities in Saudi Arabia.
News of the press conference received
coverage in the local newspaper, andcontributed to increasing JCCP’s profile
in Saudi Arabia.
We extend our deepest appreciation
to everyone who has cooperated in
the successful implementation of this
symposium.
<by Koichi Io,
Technical Cooperation Dept.>

Symposium venue

Local newspaper article on thepress conference

List of Speakers
No

Country

Session 1:
Moderator:

Name

Organization

Sustainable Environmental Development
Dr. Kenichi Fujimoto, Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative Association (KITA) <Japan>

1

Japan

Dr. Takehiko Matsui

Tottori University

2

KuwaitDr. Amr Fadlemawla

Kuwait Institute for Scientiﬁc Research (KISR)

3

BahrainDr. Nader El-Masri

Bahrain Center for Studies & Research (BCSR)

Session 2:
Moderator:

Oil Industry and Environmental Issues
Prof. Abdul Malik Al AlShaikh, King Saud University (KSU) <Saudi Arabia>

4

Japan

Mr. Masayuki Aida

Nippon Oil Corporation

5

UAE

Dr. Muftah H. El-Naas

UAE University (UAEU)

6

Japan

Dr. Masaharu Tasaki

Shimizu Corporation

7

Qatar

Dr. John Kilani

Qatar Petroleum (QP)

Session 3:
Moderator:

Environmental Rehabilitation
Dr. Mohammed Al Ansari, Bahrain Center for Studies and Research (BCSR) <Bahrain>

8

Japan

Dr. Kenichi Fujimoto

Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative
Association

9

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Hussein Al-Beshrey

Royal Commission for Jubail

10

Oman

Dr. Andy Yaw Kwarteng

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)

11

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Ahmad S. Bajahlan

Royal Commission for Yanbu

Session 4:
Moderator:

Research and Development in EnvironmentProf. Abdulaziz M. Al Bassam, King Saud University (KSU) <Saudi Arabia>

12

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Walid Abderrahman

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals(KFUPM)

13

Japan

Dr. Ryoji Ohba

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

14

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Khaled Al-Damegh

King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology(KACST)

15

Saudi Arabia

Dr. William G. Conner

Saudi Aramco

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 2008

61

Topics

Courtesy Visit with H.E. Mr. Yousef Omair
Bin Yousef, CEO of ADNOCOn November 3, 2009, Mr. Morihiro Yoshida,
Managing Director of JCCP, paid a courtesy call on H.E.
Mr. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef, Chief Executive Officer
of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), andother key figures in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is one of the sevenemirates of the United Arab Emirates, which wasformally established in 1972. It is situated facing
the Gulf, and is blessed with abundant oil and gas
resources that support its economy. To Japan, Abu
Dhabi is an extremely important crude oil supplier,providing crude oil supplies that are equivalent
to roughly 25% of Japan’s total oil consumption.
Given this situation, JCCP has provided continuous
cooperation to ADNOC and Abu Dhabi Oil Refining
Company (TAKREER) through the years since its
establishment in 1981 by implementing technicalcooperation projects and training programs.
In the courtesy visit to H.E. Mr. Yousef Omair Bin
Yousef, Mr. Yoshida first expressed his greetings as
the new managing director of JCCP appointed lastAugust. He then described JCCP’s contributions
to ADNOC and TAKREER, namely in the latest
technical cooperation project on flare gas recovery,
the TAKREER research center establishment project,
and the project on application of sulfur concrete
technology, and thanked the CEO for his continuous
understanding and cooperation.
H.E. Mr. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef offered words
of appreciation to JCCP for implementing technicalcooperation projects and training programs thathave contributed greatly to expanding businessand developing human resources at ADNOC and
TAKREER, and voiced his expectations for theirfurther continuation and development.
Mr. Yoshida also mentioned JCCP’s strong
desire to expand its cooperation in the areas ofenvironmental measures and energy conservation,in which needs are hereafter expected to grow in
UAE as in the rest of the global community. To
this, H.E. Mr. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef replied by
62

Courtesy visit with H.E. Mr. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef,
CEO of ADNOC
Mr. Morihiro Yoshida, Managing Director of JCCP (left)
H.E. Mr. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef, CEO of ADNOC (center)describing an environmental improvement projectthat is based on culturing coral reefs in seas nearoilfields and refineries, and said he would like JCCP
to cooperate if the opportunity arises.
After his visit to ADNOC, Mr. Yoshida paid acall on Mr. Jasem Ali Al-Sayegh, General Manager
of TAKREER. Mr. Al-Sayegh said he is grateful to
JCCP for its implementation of technical cooperation
projects and training programs in Abu Dhabi,
including the flare gas recovery project and the
TAKREER research center establishment project.
He then said that his participation in a JCCP course
in 1987, when he was young, and his experience inJapan has greatly benefited his career thereafter.
Mr. Yoshida also made a courtesy visit to theJapanese Embassy in the UAE and met with H.E.
Mr. Tatsuo Watanabe, Ambassador, to give a
brief account of the accomplishments of JCCP’scontribution to ADNOC, TAKREER and UAE
University over the years and an overview of thelatest projects that are being implemented in UAE.
Ambassador Watanabe, saying he is familiar with
JCCP activities, praised JCCP for the contributions
it has made in UAE, and encouraged JCCP to more
widely and actively introduce details of its activities
both inside and outside the country.
<by Shoichiro Yagi, General Manager, Middle East Ofﬁce>

JCCP NEWS No. 106 March 2010

Topics

Visits to Southeast Asia and the Middle East
by Mr. Sase, Executive Director of JCCP
Marking the occasion of his appointment inJuly 2008 as the new Executive Director of JCCP,
Mr. Masataka Sase made visits to oil-producing
countries in Southeast Asia in September 2008
following the summer holidays, and to oil-producing
countries in the Middle East in October 2008, after
the end of Ramadan. In addition to paying calls on
counterpart organizations to introduce himself andto thank them for their participation in JCCP training
activities and technical cooperation programs, Mr.
Sase held frank exchanges of views with the leadersof those organizations on a wide range of topics,
including today’s rapidly changing situation in the
global oil market, future business prospects in oilproducing countries, and areas for improvement in
JCCP activities. As Mr. Sase was not able to visit
all JCCP counterpart countries in the two regions
during his first trip, he wishes to make additional
visits to those countries he has not yet visited at his
earliest opportunity and strengthen relationships
across the board.

Middle East Oil-Producing Countries
1. UAE(1) Abu Dhabi National Oil Company(ADNOC)On October 16 (Thu.), Mr. Sase visited ADNOC,
and met with Mr. Mubarak S. Al Keti, Manager,
Crude and Condensate Division.
UAE is Japan’s second-largest supplier of crudeoil, following Saudi Arabia, supplying one-fourthof the total amount of oil consumed in Japan, and to
UAE, Japan is an important importer of crude oil.
The two countries have maintained a cooperative
relationship since the formal establishment of UAE
in 1971.
Mr. Sase was not able to meet directly with H.E.
Mr. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef, CEO, for an urgent
meeting during this visit to ADNOC, but received amessage from the CEO through Mr. Al Keti, statingthat Japan is important to ADNOC, as a country
playing a central role in the global oil business,and expressing his wish to continue strengthening
ADNOC’s friendly ties with JCCP and promoting
personal exchanges.

(2) Abu Dhabi Oil Reﬁning Company(TAKREER)
In the afternoon of October 16 (Thu.), Mr. Sase
visited TAKREER Headquarters, and met with Mr.
Ahmed O. Abdulla, Assistant General Manager,
Operations, and Mr. Ismail Al Mulla, Human
Resources and Administration Manager.
TAKREER was established in 1999, to take over

Mr. Ahmed O. Abdulla, Assistant General Manager,
Operations (third from left), and
Mr. Ismail Al Mulla, Human Resources andAdministration Manager (second from right)

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 200963

the responsibility of refining operations previously
undertaken by ADNOC. Including the period
during which it was a refining division under the
management of ADNOC, its relationship with JCCP
goes back 27 years.
Mr. Sase received warm words of appreciationfrom Mr. Abdulla, for his role in providing numerous
young officer candidates with a meaningful forum
for learning about Japanese corporate management
through JCCP courses, and for the invaluable
opportunity to meet people from many different oilproducing countries not only in the Middle East, butfrom Asia, Africa, and South America as well, andto establish an extensive network of professionals
in the oil industry.

2. Oman(1) H.E. Dr. Mohammed Hamed Saif Al-Rumhy
On October 18 (Sat.), Mr. Sase paid a courtesy
call on H.E. Dr. Mohammed Hamed Saif Al-Rumhy,
Minister of Oil and Gas.
This year, state-run Oman Refinery Company(ORC) is celebrating its 23rd anniversary since
the commencement of operations in 1985. JCCP
has been supporting ORC since the beginning,particularly in the development of staff members.
Hereafter, the company must prepare for an
inevitable shift of power to the next generation,
as seasoned employees reach retirement age, as
well as upgrade its refineries by introducing largescale cracking units and integrating refinery and

H.E. Dr. Mohammed Hamed Saif Al-Rumhy,
Minister of Oil and Gas (right)

64

petrochemical operations. Developing outstanding
engineers capable of addressing such major businesschallenges is a management issue that begs close
attention in the near future, and one that Minister
Al-Rumhy believes will greatly benefit from further
cooperation with JCCP.
(2) Oman Reﬁneries and Petrochemicals
Company (ORPC)
After paying a call on H.E. Dr. Al-Rumhy, Mr.
Sase visited ORPC, and met with Mr. Adel Al
Kindy, CEO, and Mr. Masoud Al Msalmy, GM,
Corporate Support.
Oman is currently planning the constructionof a new refinery at Duqm, which would be thecountry’s third refinery following the Mina al-Fahal
and Sohar Refineries. It is to be a state-of-the-art
refinery equipped with a residue cracking unit andan integrated petrochemical complex, in order toincrease the value of Oman’s oil.
Increasing the value of oil is a priority issue inboth oil-producing and oil-consuming countries.
“The creation of new oil industries is for thecommon benefit of oil-producing and oil-consuming
countries,” stated Mr. Al Kindy, who also expressed
his hopes that JCCP will continue to act as a catalyst
in promoting mutual exchanges of information
while contributing to the development of the oil
downstream sector.

3. Iran(1) National Iranian Oil Reﬁning andDistribution Company (NIORDC),
Reﬁnery Affairs Division
On October 20 (Sat.), Mr. Sase visited NIORDC
to meet with Mr. A. Eskandari, Director, Refinery
Affairs, and Mr. S. Mahjoubi, Technical Studies
Manager.
In Iran today, demand for oil products, andparticularly gasoline, is increasing at a rapid rate, andoil companies are hard-pressed to expand refinery
capacities and increase gasoline production. Given
this situation, NIORDC is considering expanding
the capacities of its nine existing refineries andbuilding seven new refineries, thereby doubling

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 2009

Oil to pay a call on Mr. Y. Javadinia, GM, Petroleum
Ministry Office.
Mr. Javadinia has participated in a JCCP regularcourse twice in the past. Based on what he haslearned, he has created a textbook on Japanese-stylehuman resource development, and personally gives
lectures on the topic to young executive candidates.
He emphasized that it is important that Japan and
Iran share learning experiences through JCCP
courses, and expressed his gratitude to JCCP for
its cooperation.
Mr. A. Eskandari, Director, Reﬁnery Affairs,
NIORDC (center)its current refining capacity. It is also working toincrease the value of its refineries by introducing a
residue cracking unit and other facilities.
Mr. Eskandari noted that the development ofoutstanding personnel is key to bringing these large
projects to successful fruition, and expressed his
expectations of receiving continued cooperationfrom JCCP through regular courses and technicalcooperation projects.
(2) NIORDC Human Resources Division
In the afternoon of October 20 (Sat.), Mr. Sase
visited NIORDC’s Human Resource Division, andmet with Mr. H. Ghorbani, Director of Human
Resources.
NIORDC is planning to sequentially separate
its refineries and cede them to the private sector.
In preparation for this move, the Human Resource
Division is busy promoting the developmentof human resources and improving employee
productivity. Having himself participated in a tailormade program on human resource development
held in Japan last February, Mr. Ghorbani is keen tohave many more staff members study Japanese-stylehuman resource development through JCCP, andrequested JCCP to continue providing such pertinent
training programs for Iran in the future.
(3) Iranian Ministry of Oil
After visiting NIORDC’s Human Resource
Division, Mr. Sase visited the Iranian Ministry of

4. Qatar(1) Qatar Petroleum (QP), Reﬁning Directorate
In the morning of October 22 (Wed.), Mr. Sase
visited QP, and met with Mr. Hussain M. AlIshaq, Director Refining, Refining Directorate,
who assumes leadership on the Qatar side in the
JCCP technical cooperation project on “Efficiency
Improvement in the Mesaieed Refinery in Qatar.”
Thirty years ago in 1978, Japan and Qatar
established a joint venture company called Qatar
Steel Corporation (QACSO) through which, Mr.
Al-Ishaq noted, Qatar has learned many thingsfrom Japan. Even today, large-scale projects areunderway in Qatar, for the construction of oil,
LNG, and petrochemical plants that utilize thecountry’s abundant reserves of oil and natural gas.
Because Qatar has a small population, the successof these large-scale projects hinges on enhancing

Mr. Hussain M. Al-Ishaq, Director Reﬁning, QP (right)

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 200965

the capacity of each and every individual involved.
Based on this awareness, Mr. Al-Ishaq expressed
his strong wish that JCCP continue to extend its
cooperation to Qatar, as a central player in thetransfer of Japan’s refinery management expertiseand refinery technologies to Qatar.
(2) QP Qatarization Steering Committee
In the morning of October 23 (Thu.), Mr. Sase
visited with Mr. Essa Rashed Al Kaabi, Chairman
of QP’s Qatarization Steering Committee.
Qatar is moving forward with the development of
its oil and natural gas resources on a large scale, andis launching a number of major projects, including
the export of LNG overseas via pipeline from its
refineries. The Qatarization Committee has a large
responsibility in this grand design, to foster Qataripersonnel.
Mr. Al Kaabi, acknowledging that JCCP regularcourses are unique programs that offer the opportunity

66

to learn about various aspects of the oil industry
directly from Japanese oil companies, asked JCCP
to continue providing regular courses through which
Qatari citizens may acquire hands-on experience inJapanese-style corporate management.
Mr. Sase’s recent visits to oil-producing countries
in Southeast Asia and the Middle East have allowed
him to personally meet key figures in thosecountries, reconfirm friendly relations between
JCCP and its counterpart organizations, and obtain
invaluable views on future JCCP activities. Basedon the relationships of trust JCCP has cultivatedwith oil-producing countries around the world
over the 27 years since its founding, we shall makecontinuous efforts to further enhance our training
and technical cooperation programs.
<Middle East: Hisayoshi Tanda, Administration Dept.>

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 2009

Topics

H.E. Dr. Maitha Al-Shamsi,
UAE Minister of State, Visits Japan

Dr. Al-Shamsi at JCCP, with Mr. Masataka Sase, Executive Director of JCCP

As part of the FY2008 JCCP VIP Invitation
Program, JCCP has invited H.E. Dr. Maitha AlShamsi, UAE Minister of State, to Japan, from
November 15 to 21, 2008.
Before being appointed to Minister of State andResearch Advisor at UAE University in February
2008, Dr. Al-Shamsi has held prominent positions
at the university. She assumed the positions of
Deputy Vice Chancellor in 1990, Vice Chancellorin 2000, and Assistant Provost for Research in2004. In these capacities, she actively promoted
the development of higher education in UAE andhas made a significant number of achievementsin that area. In addition to her current position as
Minister of State, Dr. Al-Shamsi holds various otherimportant posts, including Managing Director of

the Dubai Women’s Establishment and President of
the Marriage Fund, and plays a central role in thedevelopment of science, technology and education,
and women’s issues, in particular, in UAE.
UAE and Japan enjoy a close relationship basedon crude oil and natural gas, as well as engage inactive cooperation issues. The two countries began
implementing technical cooperation projects in
FY2001, and UAE University, in particular, hasbeen, and continues to be, an active participant inthese joint research projects. To discuss the progressof ongoing activities, JCCP and UAE University
hold a scientific council meeting biannually, with
Dr. Al-Shamsi heading the UAE University side.
In addition to attending the 7th Scientific Council
Meeting in Japan, Dr. Al-Shamsi also used the

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 200967

opportunity of her visit to Japan to call on oil-related
research institutes and governmental institutions inJapan.

1. At JCCP Headquarters(November 17)
Upon receiving Dr. Al-Shamsi at JCCP
Headquarters, Mr. Masataka Sase, Executive
Director of JCCP, congratulated Dr. Al-Shamsi on
her appointment as Minister of State. He and Mr.
Katsuo Yokoyama, Managing Director of JCCP,
then exchanged views with Dr. Al-Shamsi on oilrelated issues and JCCP activities in general.

2. Scientiﬁc Council Meeting(November 17)
Members from UAE University, the JCCP
Technical Cooperation Department, Nippon Oil
Research Institute, a corporate participant in the
joint research projects with UAE University, and Dr.
Masaaki Teramoto of Kyoto Institute of Technology
gathered at JCCP Headquarters to take part in the
7th Scientific Council Meeting. The members held
active discussions on the progress of activities inthe study on wastewater treatment in UAE refineries
and the study on acid gas treatment in UAE’s natural
gas industry, that are being implemented as part of
the FY2008 program.

Scientiﬁc Council Meeting in session

68

3. Visit to Nippon Oil Corporation(November 18)
At the Central Technical Research Laboratory,
Dr. Al-Shamsi was warmly welcomed by Mr. Hajime
Okazaki, General Manager, senior researchers of thelaboratory, and Mr. Takahiko Yamaji, President of
Nippon Oil Research Institute. After receiving warm
words of welcome from Mr. Okazaki and a general
overview of the laboratory, Dr. Al-Shamsi toured
the facilities where research is being conducted
on RECOSUL, a type of modified-sulfur concrete
developed to make effective use of sulfur, which iscurrently being applied to a demonstration study
in UAE. She toured other parts of the laboratory
as well, while listening avidly to technicalexplanations of various studies, including thoserelating to catalyst assessment bench plants andnew developments in fuel cells, and at one point,
appeared particularly impressed with the knowledge
and eloquent explanations given by young female
researchers. Dr. Al-Shamsi was also invited to testride a fuel-cell vehicle, and showed strong interest
in its development.
A lively discussion session with all members
concerned concluded Dr. Al-Shamsi’s visit to thelaboratory.

Dr. Al-Shamsi touring the research facilities

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 2009

this meeting presented a good opportunity to further
strengthen the friendly relationship between UAE
and Japan.

Dr. Al-Shamsi receiving an explanation fromfemale researchers of the laboratory

4. Courtesy Call on the Vice Ministerof Economy, Trade and Industry(November 19)
Vice Minister Takaichi warmly welcomed
Dr. Al-Shamsi on her first visit to Japan after
being appointed Minister of State, expressing herappreciation of Dr. Al-Shamsi’s role in promoting
friendly relations between UAE and Japan overmany years, as well as her pleasure in meeting Dr.
Al-Shamsi in person.
Ms. Takaichi emphasized the two country’s
relationship of mutual trust and cooperation,
mentioning that UAE and Japan have formed strong
bonds of cooperation through development projects
in the oil upstream sector, as well as in a wide rangeof other sectors, including personal exchanges anddevelopment not only in relation to crude oil trade,but also through educational and inter-university
exchange programs.
Dr. Al-Shamsi noted that JCCP and UAE havebeen implementing technical cooperation projects
for 7 years now, and a number of university-based
cooperation programs have emerged from them. As
many of these programs have largely benefited fromknowledge obtained from Japan, Dr. Al-Shamsi
expressed her strong wish that the two countries
continue to cooperate in performing joint technicalprojects in the future.
The two women also shared their views on theimportance of family and home, and agreed that

Meeting with Ms. Sanae Takaichi, Vice Minister of
Economy, Trade and Industry

5. Visit to the Japan Institute ofWorkers’ Evolution(November 19)
The Japan Institute of Workers’ Evolution aims to
improve the welfare of female workers by initiating
activities for promoting child-rearing education
among female workers and improving employment
management practices. As it is one of the areas inwhich Dr. Al-Shamsi has particularly strong interest,
she had been looking forward to this meeting with
Ms. Nobuko Matsubara.

Meeting with Ms. Nobuko Matsubara,
Chairperson of Japan Institute of Workers’ Evolution

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 2009

69

The meeting began with Ms. Matsubara
expressing her immense pleasure in meeting Dr.
Al-Shamsi. As key figures in women’s issues in
UAE and Japan, Dr. Al-Shamsi and Ms. Matsubara
exchanged in-depth views on women’s educationand marriage issues in both countries.

6. Visit to the Embassy of UAE
in Japan(November 19)
On the final day of Dr. Al-Shamsi’s stay in Japan,
H.E. Ambassador Saeed Alnouais kindly hosted abanquet for Dr. Al-Shamsi at the Embassy of UAE
in Japan, inviting Ms. Yuriko Koike, member ofthe House of Representatives, executives from theJapanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry,
the presidents of JCCP member companies,
ambassadors of eight Middle East countries, and
JCCP board members.
We believe that this invitation program hasoffered Dr. Al-Shamsi a good opportunity to gain
first-hand experience in Japan’s latest technologies
while deepening her understanding of oil and energy
trends in Japan. Furthermore, we feel there wassignificant meaning in having such an important

70

With the ambassadors of Middle East countries in Japan

person as Dr. Al-Shamsi, who plays a central rolein promoting science and technology in UAE, gaina better understanding and appreciation of Japanby establishing close ties with Japanese leaders invarious fields.
JCCP extends its profound appreciation to
everyone at the Embassy of UAE in Japan, theMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry, theMinistry of Foreign Affairs, the Japan Instituteof Workers’ Evolution, Nippon Oil Corporation,
and Nippon Oil Research Institute, for theirgenerous support and cooperation in the invitation
program.
<by Kenji Ikushima, Technical Cooperation Dept.>

JCCP NEWS No. 103 February 2009

Topics

Mr. Kojima, Executive Director of JCCP,
Visits the Middle East
—Iran, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia—
Between January and March 2008,
Mr. Mikio Kojima, Executive Directorof JCCP, visited Iran, Qatar, UAE,
and Saudi Arabia, to reaffirm basic
principles for strengthening its relations
with those countries, through policy
dialogues with the heads of national oil
companies.
As outlined below, Mr. Kojima
received full understanding andagreement regarding the reorganizationof JCCP and its basic policies for futurecooperation activities, and successfully
paved the way toward strengthening ties
between JCCP and the four countries.

I. Iran(January 20 – 24, 2008)
On January 22, Mr. Kojima visited
NIORDC (National Iranian Oil Refining& Distribution Co.) and met with
Mr. Amin Allah Eskandari, Director
Refining Affairs. Mr. Kojima first
thanked Mr. Eskandari for agreeing toparticipate in the JCCP International
Symposium that was scheduled to beheld the coming February, despite hisbusy schedule. He then discussed thestrong cooperative relationship thatexists between NIORDC and JCCP
in training activities, and explainedthat JCCP receives many NIORDC
participants to JCCP regular courses
each year. Mr. Kojima also gave abrief account of the Expert Service(ES) program that was implemented
last year and an overview of the Study
Tour (ST) program that was scheduled
to be implemented in February, andencouraged NIORDC to make further
use of JCCP regular courses and tailormade courses in the future. In response,
Mr. Eskandari expressed his deep
appreciation of the cooperative efforts
of JCCP, and requested their continued
cooperation in establishing even closer
ties between the two organizations. In
the area of human resource development,
Mr. Eskandari specifically requested
JCCP’s cooperation in cultivating
human resources capable of creating
basic refinery designs, as well as humanresources qualified to engage in projectand safety management activities at
NIORDC. The two leaders agreed tocontinue exchanging views, in search of
the best means of future cooperation.
On January 23, Mr. Kojima visited
NIOPDC (National Iranian Oil Products

Meeting at NIORDC
Front row, right: Mr. Amin Allah Eskandari,
Director Reﬁning Affairs

Distribution Co.) and met with Mr.
S. N. Sha hnazizadeh, Managing
Director. Mr. Kojima first thanked Mr.
Shahnazizadeh for his participation in
a JCCP International Symposium inthe past, when Mr. Shahnazizadeh had
been Managing Director of Esfahan Oil
Refining Company. The two leadersthen discussed NIOPDC’s participationin JCCP regular courses, and agreed towork toward further strengthening ties
between the two organizations.
Also on January 23, Mr. Kojima
paid a call on H.E. Akio Shirota,
Ambassador, and Mr. Fujisawa, First
Secretary, at the Embassy of Japan in
Iran. Mr. Kojima gave an overview of
his meeting at NIORDC, and described
JCCP’s reorganization efforts and future
policies for strengthening relations with
oil-producing countries in the Middle
East. Ambassador Shirota noted that
Iran has abundant human resources,and heartily agreed that providing
continuous cooperation through JCCP
tailor-made courses and technicalcooperation would be key to building
strong ties between the two countries.
<by Takashi Hori, Operations Dept.>

With H.E. Ambassador Akio Shirota
at the Embassy of Japan in Iran

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 200871

II. Qatar and UAE(February 10 – 15, 2008)
1. Qatar
On February 12, Mr. Kojima met
with H.E. Abdullah Bin Hamad AlAttiyah, Deputy Prime Minister andMinister of Energy and Industry, andChairman and Managing Director of
Qatar Petroleum (QP). Mr. Kojima
first expressed his deep gratitude to his
Excellency for his strong leadershipin the Joint GCC-Japan Environment
Symposium, which was held last year,
then discussed the favorable relationshipof growing cooperation between QP
and JCCP, with reference to the large
increase that has been observed in thenumber of QP participants to regularcourses, particularly over the past five
years. Mr. Kojima also gave an overview
of the ST and ES programs held last year,
and finally emphasized the significant
role of JCCP in further solidifying thecooperative relationship between thetwo organizations, and in increasing
synergistic effects from the combinationof training and technical cooperation
activities. Deputy Prime Minister
Al-Attiyah expressed his profoundappreciation of JCCP cooperation, anddeclared his full support for further
expanding the relationship between thetwo organizations. Sheikh Abdulaziz
Bi n Ja ssi m A l-T ha n i, D i re ctor,
Administration, QP, also stressed thetwo organizations’ shared views on
strengthening bonds between QP and
JCCP.
Mr. Kojima also held meetings
with Mr. Essa Al-Kaabi, Director,
Qatarization, QP, and members of the
Human Resource Department. The
members of the meetings agreed tomake good use of both regular courses
and tailor-made courses, and articulated
their wishes to further strengthen QP’s
cooperative relationship with JCCP.

They also requested JCCP’s continued
support in the numerous large-scale
projects that are being implemented
across the energy industry in Qatar
today.
2. UAEOn February 13, Mr. Kojima met
with H.E. Yousef Omar Bin Yousef,
CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil
Company (ADNOC). While ADNOC
a nd JCCP a re enjoyi ng a go o dcooperative relationship through theimplementation of significant projects,
including projects for flare gas recovery
and the establishment of a research
center, Mr. Kojima stated that he would
like to develop stronger ties between
ADNOC/TAKREER and JCCP, byimplementing JCCP’s new schemeof tailor-made courses. H.E. Yousef
Omar Bin Yousef responded by firstexpressing his deep appreciation of
JCCP activities, and upon agreeing

At QP
H.E. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry(second from right) and Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Jassim Al-Thani,
Director, Administration (right)

At QP
With Mr. Essa Al-Kaabi, Director, Qatarization

At ADNOCWith H.E. Yousef Omar Bin Yousef, CEO (center)

At ADNOCWith Mr. Abdulla Saeed Al-Badi, Human Resources Director

72

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 2008

At TAKREERWith Mr. Jasem Ali Al-Sayegh, General Manager

that tailor-made courses are indeed an
extremely interesting scheme, requested
working-level discussions for theirimplementation in the future.
Mr. Kojima also met with Mr.
Abdulla Saeed A l-Badi, Huma nResources Director. Mr. Al-Badilistened with interest to Mr. Kojima’s
proposal for implementing tailor-madecourses, but based on the reason that
sending an entire group of supervisorlevel officers to Japan at once would
pose some difficulties, he stated that hewould prefer to begin with ES programs.
In fact, Mr. Al-Badi mentioned that hewould like JCCP to implement a numberof ES courses on different themes andfor different groups of participants.
On February 14, Mr. Kojima met
with Mr. Jasem Ali Al-Sayegh, General
Manager of Abu Dhabi Oil Refining
Company (TAKREER), who accepted
Mr. Kojima’s proposal for implementing
a tailor-made program with enthusiasm,
a n d e n c o u r a ge d wo r k i n g-l evel

discussions
fo r d eve l o p i n geffective programs.
The two leadersconcurred on thesig n i f ica nc e ofutilizing ta ilormade prog ra ms
to strengthent he cooperative
relationshipb et we en JCC P
and ADNOC /TAKREER.

3. Embassy of Japan in Qatar and
UAE
Mr. Kojima took the opportunityof his visit to Qatar and UAE to pay
a call on the Embassy of Japan in thetwo countries. In Qatar, he met with
H.E. Ambassador Yukio Kitazume
and Mr. Homma, First Secretary, andin UAE, he met with H.E. Ambassador
Takuma Hatano and Mr. Inokuchi,First Secretary, to give an overview
of his meetings at QP and ADNOC,
and to explain the restructuring of
JCCP and future policies. In regard to
tailor-made courses, both Ambassadors
expressed their concern that it could be
difficult for a number of personnel tosimultaneously leave their workplaces
for a substantial period of time toparticipate in tailor-made courses inJapan, and that perhaps ES programs
could be more readily implemented,
in this respect. Ambassador Hatanosuggested dispatching exper ts toWith H.E. Ambassador Yukio Kitazume
at the Embassy of Japan in Qatar

ADNOC’s Petroleum Institute (PI).
According to Ambassador Hatano,
ADNOC and TAKREER personnel arehighly interested in learning about fieldmanagement in Japan, so it may be agood idea to have Japanese experts visit
the working environment at ADNOC
and TAKREER, point out potential
problem areas, and provide guidanceon improvement measures.
<by Koji Hori, Administration Dept.>

III. Saudi Arabia(February 29 – March 5,
2008)
1. Saudi Aramco
Ras Tanura Reﬁnery
In the morning of March 2, Mr.
Kojima attended a tailor-made seminarthat had begun the previous day at
the Ras Tanura Refinery. He gave aspeech that emphasized his strong
wish to strengthen ties with Saudi
Aramco, and with the Ras Tanura
Refinery in particular, Saudi Aramco’s
mother refinery, and exchanged views
with refinery officers on future JCCP
cooperation. (For details, see “Tailormade Program on Refinery Plant
Maintenance Held in Saudi Arabia,” onpages 18-20 of this newsletter.)In the meeting with Mr. Mohammed
S. Al-Gusaier, Vice President, Refining,
Mr. Kojima extended his gratitude
to all who supported and cooperated
in implementing the first tailor-madeseminar at the refinery, but declaredWith H.E. Ambassador Takuma Hatano (center)at the Embassy of Japan in UAE

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 200873

of the tailor-madescheme.
2. Saudi Aramco
Head Ofﬁce
In the afternoono f M a r c h 2 , M r.
Kojima visited theSaudi Aramco Head
Office and met with
Mr. Abdulaziz F. AlKhayyal, Senior ViceAt the Ras Tanura Reﬁnery
President, Industrial
With Mr. Mohammed S. Al-Gusaier, Vice President
Relations. Mr. Kojima
paid a call on Mr. Althat this is “only the beginning” of Khayyal last January, to clarify JCCP’s
the new phase of JCCP cooperation, desire to strengthen its ties with Saudi
and that JCCP intends to continue Aramco, and to ask for Saudi Aramco’s
enhancing its activities in the future. Mr. cooperation in sending participants
Al-Gusaier expressed his appreciation to regular courses and implementingof JCCP activities, saying that refinery tailor-made programs. As a result,personnel who have participated in through Mr. Al-Khayyal’s kind offices,past JCCP courses have returned to the JCCP has received 36 participants fromrefinery not only with new technical Saudi Aramco in FY2007, the largest
knowledge, but also with a keen interest number from the company since JCCP
in Japanese corporate culture, as a result first launched regular courses, and hasof having been exposed to a refinery implemented a tailor-made seminar atwork environment where employees of the Ras Tanura Refinery. Mr. Kojima
their same generation work with pride gave an overview of those achievements,
and responsibility. He stated that he and deeply thanked Mr. Al-Khayyal forwould therefore like to continue sending his generous cooperation and thoughtfulrefinery personnel to take part in JCCP consideration.
Mr. Al-Khayyal in turn expressed
regular courses. Mr. Al-Gusaier also
requested the development of a new his high expectations of JCCP activities.
cooperation scheme that would allow He stated that Saudi Aramco has alonger-term onsite experience and responsibility of providing a stableguidance, and Mr. Kojima promised to supply of oil to the world, and must
explore the best means of responding maintain the world’s highest level ofto the request based on the foundation safe and stable operations. To thisAt the Saudi Aramco Head Ofﬁce
With Mr. Abdulaziz F. Al-Khayyal, Senior Vice President

74

end, he hopes to send as many Saudi
Aramco personnel to participate in JCCP
regular courses, not only to acquire
technology and knowledge, but also togain first-hand experience in “Japan’s
wonderful corporate culture,” foundedon responsibility and discipline.
The meeting ended with the two
leaders agreeing that the successful
implementation of the recent tailormade seminar is merely the first step
toward the strengthening of cooperative
ties between the two organizations, andthat they shall build upon that successto deepen cooperative efforts based ona “face-to-face” relationship of mutual
trust.
Mr. Kojima again visited the Saudi
Aramco Head Office in the afternoon ofMarch 3, to meet with Mr. Adil A. AlTubayyeb, Vice President, Marketing,
Supply & Joint Venture Coordination.
Mr. Al-Tubayyeb played a central
role in establishing the Saudi Aramco
Tokyo Office, and possesses a deep
understanding of the relationshipbetween Saudi Arabia and Japan. He
took part in a lecture event in Japan
sub-hosted by JCCP last December, andspoke to attending executive officers
from energy-related companies inJapan, on the significance of JapanSaudi Arabia cooperation in securing
a stable supply of oil. Mr. Waleed H.
Al-Bedaiwi, General Manager, Saudi
Petroleum, Ltd., who had temporarily
returned to Saudi Arabia from Japan,
also joined the meeting.
In the meeting, Mr. Al-Tubayyeb

At the Saudi Aramco Head Ofﬁce
With Mr. Adil A. Al-Tubayyeb, Vice President

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 2008

explained that the population in the
Middle East is increasing so rapidly
today that the Greater Middle East
Region, composed of the traditional
Middle East countries and neighboring
countries, is certain to become a majoroil-consuming region in the near future.
As the Middle East region also has theworld’s largest hydrocarbon reserves, it
is poised to become a major supplier ofpetroleum and petrochemical products,
in addition to crude oil. As a result,
Mr. Al-Tubayyeb predicts that the
Middle East region will develop into
a global hydrocarbon trading hub.
This significant information came at
an opportune time for JCCP, as it ispresently in the process of creating anaction plan that identifies the directionof its efforts for strengthening relations
with the countries of the Middle East.
3. King Fahd University ofPetroleum and Minerals(KFUPM)
In the morning of March 3, Mr.
Kojima paid a courtesy call on H.E.
Dr. Khaled S. Al-Sultan, Rector of
KFUPM. The university has been acting
as JCCP’s partner in implementing
various technical cooperation projects,

including the HS-FCC
development project,a nd is a n i mpor t a nt
counterpart of JCCP’s in
Saudi Arabia.
After fondly
reminiscing about Dr.
Al-Sultan’s visit to Japanin FY2004 under JCCP’s
VIP Invitation Program,
Mr. Kojima expressed his
gratitude to Dr. Al-Sultan,
With H.E. Dr. Khaled S. Al-Sultan, Rector, at KFUPM
for warmly receiving Dr.
Hideshi Hattori, Professor
Emeritus at Hokkaido University, under to spend more time to exchange views on
the Long-term Research Dispatch a wider range of issues than before, with
Program, and for his cooperation key persons in oil-related organizations
in holding the Joint GCC-Japan in major oil-producing countries. The
Environment Symposium last January. role of the Middle East is increasing in
Dr. Al-Sultan graciously accepted importance to Japan, as well as to the
Mr. Kojima’s words of appreciation, entire world, in securing a stable supply
saying that building trust is the hardest of oil. Expectations of JCCP have alsopart about establishing relationships, increased, accompanying this trend, andbut “JCCP and KFUPM are way past cooperation requests have diversified.
that stage,” and have entered a new JCCP intends to take into consideration
stage where the two organizations the recent series of dialogues that Mr.
should strengthen their bonds based the Kojima has held with oil industry
foundation of mutual trust that they have leaders in the Middle East, as well as
built over the years.
various other relevant factors, to develop
The follow-up meetings held between new, enhanced cooperation schemes inJanuary and March allowed Mr. Kojima the future.
<by Hisayoshi Tanda, Administration Dept.>

JCCP NEWS No. 100 May 200875

Topics

Mr. Katsuo Yokoyama,
Managing Director of JCCP,
Visits the Middle East
Mr. Katsuo Yokoyama, Managing Director of JCCP in charge of technical cooperation projects, traveled to the Middle East
twice, between October-end and November 2007, and visited a total of six countries in the region. This was Mr. Yokoyama’s
first visit to the Middle East, since his appointment as managing director in July 2007. He attended important ceremonies,
paid calls on various counterparts to introduce himself and exchange views on future implementation of technical cooperation
projects. Major details of his visits are presented below.

I. Oman, Iran, UAE(October 26 – November 8,
2007)
1. [Oman] Contract Signing
Ceremony with ORC<October 30, 2007>
Mr. Masoud Salim Al-Msalmy,
General Manager of Oman Refinery
Company LLC (ORC), and Mr. Katsuo

Yokoyama signed a memorandumof agreement (MOA) for the joint
implementation of the “Study for
Process and Operational Improvementin Mina Al-Fahar Refinery in Oman”(FY2007 – 2009). The study aims
to enhance process and operational
performance levels at the Mina AlFahar Refinery, so that ORC may better
respond to the increasing demand foroil in Oman. Over many years, JCCP
has continued to introduce Japan’s
oil refining technologies to ORC, asa fundamental part of its technicalcooperation activities, and has built astrong cooperative relationship with
ORC. Based on this proven trackrecord, ORC and JCCP have agreed to
implement the joint study project.
The signing ceremony took place

Greetings by Ambassador Keiji Omori

Greetings by Mr. Tsuyoshi Kamijo, Deputy Director, METI

Exchange of the MOA
Left: Mr. Masoud Salim Al-Msalmy, General Manager of ORC
Right: Mr. Katsuo Yokoyama, Managing Director of JCCP

Exchange of commemorative gifts
Center: Mr. Yasushi Hotta, President, Cosmo Research Institute Inc.
Right: Mr. Msalmy, General Manager of ORC

76

JCCP NEWS No. 99 February 2008

in a reception room at the Grand Hyatt
Hotel in Muscat, Oman. H.E. Keiji
Omori, Ambassador of Japan to Oman,
and Mr. Tsuyoshi Kamijo, Deputy
Director of the Petroleum Refining
and Reserve Division, the Agency for
Natural Resources and Energy, Ministryof Economy, Trade and Industry(METI), honored the ceremony with
their presence, and spoke briefly on the
project’s significant role in strengthening
the friendly relationship between
the two countries and in promoting
personnel exchanges. Mr. Msalmy and
Mr. Yasushi Hotta, President of Cosmo
Research Institute Inc., a participant
company in the project, also delivered
words of gratitude and expectations forthe successful completion of the project,
and thanked all parties concerned
for their cooperation. Mr. Yokoyama
delivered a greeting and extended
his appreciation to all parties. The
local newspaper covered news of theceremony, and contributed to increasing
public recognition of the JCCP technicalcooperation project in Oman.
2. [Oman] Visits to H.E.
Dr. Mohammed Bin Hamad
Bin Saif Al-Rumhy,
Minister of Oil and Gas, andSultan Qaboos University<October 31, 2007>
On the day following the signingceremony, Mr. Yokoyama paid a visit

MOA signing ceremony
Senior ORC ofﬁcials, Mr. Nitta, Secretary at the Japanese Embassy in Oman,
JCCP members, and members from Cosmo Research Institute Inc.,
with Ambassador Omori and Deputy Director Kamijo

to H.E. Dr. Mohammed Bin Hamad
Bin Saif Al-Rumhy, Minister of Oil andGas, to thank him for his cooperation
and ask for his continued support of
JCCP activities in Oman. Dr. Al-Rumhy
spoke favorably about his experience inparticipating in a technical cooperation
project implemented by the Petroleum
Energy Center (predecessor of JCCP’s
technical cooperation department)
in 1996, when he was an associate
professor at Sultan Qaboos University.
He welcomed the developments that
JCCP projects have made in Oman sincethen, and expressed his wish to maintainfriendly relations with JCCP.
Dr. Al-Rumhy also explained thatAt the Omani Ministry of Gas and Oil
Right: H.E. Dr. Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Saif Al-Rumhy,
Minister of Gas and Oil

he has been inviting large numbers ofuniversity students from Japan to Oman
every year since the 1990s, to promotea deeper understanding of Oman. He
wishes to extend this activity not only
to workers in oil and gas companies
in Japan, but to people in many othersectors as well. More recently, Dr.
Al-Rumhy has taken strong interest inJapan’s technologies for reducing CO2
emissions, and appears to have large
expectations of Japan.
Following the visit to the Ministryof Oil and Gas, Mr. Yokoyama visited
Sultan Qaboos University, where he
had the opportunity to meet with H.E.
Dr. Saud Nasser Ali Al-Riyami, Vice

At Sultan Qaboos University
Second from right, front row: H.E. Dr. Saud Nasser Ali Al-Riyami,
Vice Chancellor

JCCP NEWS No. 99 February 200877

Chancellor, and verify the progressof a JCCP project that is currently
being implemented jointly with theuniversity.
3. [Iran] Courtesy Call on
Mr. Mohammad Reza
Nematzadeh, Deputy Ministerof Petroleum and President of
National Iranian Oil Reﬁning
and Distribution Company(NIORDC), andVisit to National Iranian Oil
Company (NIOC)<October 29, 2007>
In Iran, Mr. Yokoyama paid acourtesy call on Mr. Mohammad
Reza Nematzadeh, Deputy Minister ofPetroleum and President of NIORDC,
and senior officials of NIORDC.
Mr. Yokoyama discussed JCCP’sachievements in relation to its training
courses and the huge number ofparticipants who have so far participatedin them, as well as exchanged views
with the NIORDC members on future
NIORDC support in implementing
JCCP technical cooperation projects
in Iran. Mr. Nematzadeh responded
in a positive manner, expressing
his intentions of prioritizing humanresource development as an issue ofcompany-wide importance, based on his
previous experience working at National
Petrochemical Company (NPC).
Mr. Yokoyama also visited National
Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), a major

At NIOC
Left: Mr. S.M.A. Khatibi Tabatabai,Vice Executive Director

producer and distributor of oil and gas
in Iran, and paid a courtesy call on
Mr. S.M.A. Khatibi Tabatabai, Vice
Executive Director for International
Affairs.
4. [UAE] Visit to Mr. Jasem Ali
Al-Sayegh, General Manager of
TAKREER<November 6, 2007>
In UAE, Mr. Yokoyama visited
Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company(TAKREER), to pay his respects to Mr.
Jasem Ali Al-Sayegh, General Manager,
as the new managing director of JCCP,
and to thank him for TAKREER’scooperation in JCCP projects. Mr.
Al-Sayegh expressed his appreciationof JCCP projects and his expectationsof further cooperation from JCCP indeveloping engineers and conducting
joint projects.

At NIORDC
Right: Mr. Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh,
Deputy Minister of Petroleum andPresident of NIORDC

Presenting a commemorative gift from
JCCP to TAKREER
Left: Mr. Jasem Ali Al-Sayegh,
General Manager

78

JCCP NEWS No. 99 February 2008

5. Visits with Other Senior Ofﬁcials<November 3 – 7, 2007>
In addition to the above figures,
Mr. Yokoyama also met with senior
officials and leaders of other companies
and institutions in Oman and UAE, andexchanged views on their cooperationand implementation of future JCCP
activities. Other gentlemen with whom
Mr. Yokoyama greeted included Mr.
Ahmed Mohammed Al-Haddabi, Acting
CEO of Sohar Refinery Company inOman; H.E. Dr. Hadef Bin Jouan Al
Dhahiri, Vice Chancellor, and H.E.
Dr. Maitha Salem Al Shamsi, Assistant
Provost for Research Affairs, of UAE
University; and Mr. Ali Mohd. Al Jaberi,
Division Manager of TAKREER’s
Ruwais Refinery.
T he Sixt h Scientif ic Council
Meeting with UAE University washeld on November 4 and 5, during Mr.
Yokoyama’s visit to UAE. An article on
the details of the meeting is provided in
the Topics section of this newsletter.
<by Wataru Maekawa,Technical Cooperation Dept.>

II. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait(November 15 – 30, 2007)
1. Contract Signing Ceremony withKing Abdulaziz City for
Science and Technology(KACST)<November 19, 2007>
H.H. Dr. Tu rk i bin Saud bin
Mohammed Al-Saud, Vice Presidentof KACST, and Mr. Katsuo Yokoyama
signed a memorandum of agreement( MOA) to conduct a project on“Experimental Application of InSAR
Technology in Saudi Arabia to Assess
the Effect of Reservoir Activity on
Surface Subsidence” (FY2007 – 2008).
The signing ceremony took place at thehead office of KACST in the Kingdomof Saudi Arabia.
In FY2006, JCCP conducted apreliminary study on the assessment ofpartial ground deformation (upthrustMOA signing ceremony with KACST
Right: H.H. Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed Al-Saud, Vice President
Center right: Dr. Mohammed ibn Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, President
Center left: H.E. Shigeru Nakamura, Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

and subsidence) in Saudi Arabia,
using InSAR (interferometric synthetic
aperture radar) analysis technology,
which numerically analyzes InSAR
data (microwave data reflected from asatellite) to assess ground deformation.
As KACST has taken a strong interestin the technology, JCCP has promptly
initiated a study for the creation of asystem for technical transfer and dataprocessing, and designed the study
with the objective of developing andtransferring technology that is capableof managing risks to oil facilities andareas caused by ground deformation in
Saudi Arabia.
The signing ceremony was attended
by Dr. Mohammed ibn Ibrahim AlSuwaiyel, President, H.H. Dr. Turki bin
Saud bin Mohammed Al-Saud, Vice

Exchange of commemorative gifts
Right: H.H. Dr. Turki bin Saud bin
Mohammed Al-Saud, Vice President
Center: H.E. Shigeru Nakamura,
Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

President, and Dr. Tariq A. Alkhalifah,
Director, on the KACST side; and by
H.E. Shigeru Nakamura, Ambassadorof Japan to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Masanori
Tsuruda, First Secretary, and Mr.
Tadanori So, Second Secretary, from theJapanese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, as
well as Mr. Hirokazu Kanai, Executive
Director of Nichiyo Engineering
Corporation, and a representative fromCentral Computer Services Co., Ltd.
(CCS), as representatives of participant
companies on the Japan side.
Firstly, Dr. Al-Suwaiyel expressed
his appreciation and his sincere wishes
for the success of the project and for thefurther deepening of the cooperative
relationship between JCCP and KACST.
Dr. Al-Saud also expressed his gratitude
for the implementation of the “extremely

Article featured in the local newspaper:“KACST and JCCP have signed an MOA
for a joint study, with the attendance of
H.E. Ambassador Nakamura”

significant technical project,” andconveyed his expectations of its successful
completion as well as his hopes that it
will lead to the implementation of manyother cooperation projects in the future.
Ambassador Nakamura stressed thesignificance of Saudi-Japan technicalcooperation as declared by then Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe during his visit
to Saudi Arabia in spring 2007, andexpressed his hopes for the successful
implementation of the project, as wellas thanked all parties concerned fortheir cooperation. Mr. Yokoyama, after
delivering a few words of greetings as

At the signing ceremony
Center: Dr. Mohammed ibn Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, President

JCCP NEWS No. 99 February 200879

the new managing director of JCCP,
pronounced his commitment to theproject, and thanked KACST for its
continued cooperation over many years.
On behalf of the participant companies,
Mr. Kanai from Nichiyo Engineering
Corporation expressed his firm resolve
to carry out the project with success andsteadily transfer the InSAR technology
to KACST.
After both leaders of the projectsigned the agreement, presentations
were given on example applicationsof the InSAR technology. KACST
reported on an effective applicationof the InSAR technology in capturing
ground deformations caused by anearthquake that had previously struck
the northwestern part of the country.
The representative from CCS used
actual case examples to show how theInSAR technology could be used tocapture deformations of the groundsurface. The ceremony ended on a
successful note, and was covered by
local newspapers. Implementation of the
project is expected to promote further
understanding of JCCP activities in
Saudi Arabia.
2. Visits to JCCP Counterpartsin Saudi Arabia, Qatar, andKuwait(1) King Fahd University ofPetroleum and Minerals(KFUPM)<November 20, 2007>
Mr. Yokoyama met with H.E. Dr.

Attendees of the meeting with KNPC
Center: Mr. Sami F. Al-Rushaid, previous Chairman of KNPC (current Chairman of KOC)
Second from left: Mr. Fahed Fahhad Al-Ajimi, Deputy Managing Director
Third from left: Mr. Asa’ad Ahmad E. Al-Saad, Deputy Chairman

Khaled S. Al-Sultan, Rector, and Dr.
Sahel N. Abdul-Jauwad, Vice Rector,
and thanked KFUPM for its pastcooperation in JCCP activities. The
Rector stated that “the university has
participated in the HS-FCC project, so
investigating the commercialization of
the HS-FCC technology is a welcome
development, from which the university
expects great results.”(2) Saudi Aramco<November 21, 2007>
Mr. Yokoyama met with Mr. Isam A.
Al-Bayat, Vice President, and Dr. Omar
S. Abdul-Hamid, Manager, to thankthem for their long years of cooperationin JCCP activities, and to seek further
development of t he cooperat ive
relationship between Saudi Aramco and
JCCP. Saudi Aramco thanked JCCP for

Exchange of commemorative gifts
Left: H.E. Dr. Khaled S. Al-Sultan, Rector

80

its generous support and cooperation,and exchanged views on future technicalcooperation projects.
(3) Kuwait National Petroleum
Company (KNPC)<November 28, 2007>
Mr. Yokoyama first paid a visit
to KNPC and exchanged views ontechnical cooperation projects with Mr.
Sami F. Al-Rushaid, previous Chairmanof KNPC, Mr. Asa’ad Ahmad E. AlSaad, Deputy Chairman, and Mr. Fahed
Fahhad Al-Ajimi, Deputy Managing
Director.
(4) KNPC’s Mina Abdulla
Reﬁnery (MAB)<November 29, 2007>
M r. Yokoya ma met wit h M r.
Mohammad Ghazi Al-Mutairi, Deputy

Exchange of commemorative gifts
Left: Mr. Isam A. Al-Bayat, Vice President

JCCP NEWS No. 99 February 2008

Attendees of the meeting at KNPC’s Mina Abdulla Reﬁnery
Center: Mr. Mohammad Ghazi Al-Mutairi, Deputy Managing
Director
Second from left: Mr. Ousama H. Shammas, Manager

Managing Director, and Mr. Ousama
H. Shammas, Manager, and exchanged
views on the progress, issues, and future
strategies of the “Development Studyof Residue Hydrocracking to Distillate
in KNPC ARD Units (Phase II),” athree-year project that KNPC and JCCP
launched in FY2005.
(5) Kuwait Institute for ScientiﬁcResearch (KISR)<November 28 & 29, 2007>

Attendees of the meeting at KISR
Second from left: Dr. Nader Al-Awadhi, Deputy Director General
Right of Mr. Yokoyama: Ms. Maraﬁ, Manager
Third from right: Dr. Abdulhameed Al-Hashem, PRSC Director

M r. Yokoya ma met wit h D r.
Nader Al-Awadhi, Deputy Director
General, and Dr. Abdulhameed AlHashem, Director of the Petroleum
Research & Studies Center (PRSC),
and thanked them for KISR’s long yearsof cooperation in JCCP activities. Drs.
Al-Awadhi and Al-Hashem outlined
future issues that KISR, including
the PRSC, needs to address in the
future, and exchanged views on various
cooperation issues. They also expressed

their deep appreciation for the technicalcooperation they have received from
JCCP to date.

JCCP NEWS No. 99 February 200881

A contract signing ceremony with
Qatar Petroleum (QP) was held on
November 26, during Mr. Yokoyama’s
visit to Qatar. An article of the ceremony
is provided in the Technical Cooperation
Section of this newsletter.
<by Takeyoshi Haishima,
Technical Cooperation Dept.>

Personnel
Exchange

Survey of Downstream Trends
in UAE and Qatar
From October 9 to 16, 2009, a survey ofdownstream trends was conducted in UAE andQatar, by S. Yagi, General Manager of the JCCP
Middle East Office, and K. Takayama, JCCP
Training Department, with the cooperation of Mr.
Masashi Onishi from Cosmo Research Institute and
Mr. Katsuhiko Sasao from JGC Corporation. The
four-member team mainly visited human resource
development departments to gain an overview oftraining facilities, programs, and other such aspectsof training institutions in the two countries, and to
identify needs for JCCP training programs.

1. UAE(1) ADNOC Technical InstituteIn the morning of October 11, the survey teamvisited the ADNOC Technical Institute (ATI), a
training center established by UAE to promote
opportunities for employment in the ADNOCGroup. After warmly welcoming the survey team on
its first visit to ATI by JCCP, Mr. Omar Al Hamed,
ATI Manager, and other members took the time to
explain about ATI’s training programs and to guidethe Japanese team on a tour of the facilities.

At Petroleum Institute(2) Petroleum InstituteIn the afternoon of October 11, the survey teamvisited the Petroleum Institute (PI), an industrial
college established by ADNOC as a center of
research and education for the oil and gas industry
in UAE. The opportunity to meet with Dr. Michael
M. Ohadi, Provost and Acting President, Dr. Dennis
A. Siginer, Assistant Provost and Director of Arts
and Sciences, and many other high-ranking officersof PI proved to be an invaluable experience to thesurvey team.
(3) TAKREEROn the following day, the survey team visited
the TAKREER Head Office in the morning to

At ADNOC Technical Institute82

JCCP NEWS No. 106 March 2010

At TAKREERAt QP Training Center

At the QP Mesaieed Reﬁnery

hold an interview with Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Al
Gattan, Manager Training and Career Development
Department, Human Resources and Administration
Division, and a number of other members. The
TAKREER members responded to the survey team’s
detailed questions with kind understanding.

for the establishment of a friendly cooperative
relationship between each of those institutions and
JCCP. With respect to TAKREER and QP, JCCP
has enjoyed longstanding friendships with the twocompanies, but the survey team felt a need for JCCP
to step up its efforts in order to better respond totheir specific needs.
Lastly, the survey team would like to take thisopportunity to thank everyone concerned for theirgenerous cooperation and effort in making thissurvey mission possible.

2. Qatar(1) Qatar Petroleum (Training Center)
On October 14, the survey team visited the Qatar
Petroleum Training Center and exchanged views
with Mr. Mohamed Normarzuki Bin Yaacob, Senior
Supervisor–Short Tech. Training, Corporate Training,
who attended to the survey team with kindness andcourtesy despite his extremely busy schedule.

<by Kazuko Takayama, Training Dept.>(2) Qatar Petroleum Mesaieed Reﬁnery
On October 15, the survey team visited Qatar
Petroleum’s Mesaieed Refinery, where they met
with Mr. Abdulaziz M. Al-Khoori, Operations
Manager, Refining-Operations, and other members.
As a graduate of a JCCP course himself, Mr. AlKhoori spoke fondly about his JCCP experience.
He also talked about his requests and frank opinionsof JCCP, and made the meeting an extremely
meaningful one to the survey team.

3. Impressions
The survey team is hopeful that the visits to ATI
and PI for the first time have laid the foundation

Local newspaper article on
the survey team’s visit to ATI

JCCP NEWS No. 106 March 201083