Winner of the 2024 Tank Storage Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement’, Saudi Aramco’s Mohammed Abufour, speaks to Tank Storage Magazine about securing the gold award and what it took to get here
Lifetime member of ASNT (The American Society for Non-destructive Testing), Mohammed Abufour has over 40 years of non-destructive testing (NDT) experience in the oil and energy industry. He has acquired this experience in a number of different positions, including NDT inspector, NDT supervisor, NDT consultant and engineering specialist. An accumulation of these positions has led him to an impressive career, and to a Gold Award at the 2024 Global Tank Storage Awards.
Abufour’s contributions to his field have been widely recognised. Previous accolades include the 2006 ASNT Technician of The Year, the 2012 Fellowship Award, the 2018 Mentoring Award, the 2022 Charles N. Sherlock Meritorious Service Award and the ASNT 2023 George C. Wheeler Excellence in Personal Certification Recognition Award.
Reflecting on these titles, as well as his 2024 Global Tank Storage Awards win, Abufour says: ‘I am deeply honored that the Global Tank Storage Awards committee and the panel of judges recognized me as a standout individual, playing a pivotal role in both my organization and the broader industry. This recognition is not just for me, but for all those who have supported me along this journey. I express my gratitude to my family and to my management at Saudi Aramco, particularly the engineering services/inspection department, for their unwavering support throughout my career journey.’
Abufour is a strong believer in close collaboration in the industry, particularly among ASNT’s different sections in the Arabian Gulf region and India. He is using his position as ASNT region director to generate a closer link between all the ASNT sections in the Gulf region to better facilitate this collaboration. Through his tenure, Abufour is respected and well known by a great number of local and global ASNT members, and he believes there is a wealth of information within different ASNT sections that needs to be disseminated among all members to push the industry forwards.
With such a long career, naturally comes impressive contributions to the industry. Abufour has previously developed and improved numerous NDT techniques, reviewed procedures, and certified and qualified company and contractor technicians. In addition to this, Abufour has also managed advanced inspection services in compliance with across international codes and standards.
The Global Tank Storage Awards’ international judging panel similarly recognised Abufour’s impact on the industry. Management systems consultant and judge Joanne Carrol comments: ‘Mohammed Abufour’s extensive experience and expertise in non-destructive testing make him a standout candidate for this award. With nearly 40 years of experience at Saudi Aramco, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership.’
Reflecting on his career, Abufour says: ‘My journey in this industry has been marked by a series of inspection challenges, invaluable learning experiences from setbacks, and significant victories. From my initial forays abroad in pursuit of top-tier NDT training to my current role leading proficient teams equipped with the latest NDT technologies, I have contributed to the development of innovative NDT techniques that transcend conventional limitations. Each milestone in my extensive career has been a stepping stone leading to this honour.
Career Highlights
In his current day-to-day, Abufour works as the head of Advanced NDT services unit at Saudi Aramco, leading a team of experienced inspectors with advanced technologies and techniques. His extensive career naturally features a range of highlights, and this role at Saudi Aramco is amongst these. ‘In this role, I led highly qualified engineers and technicians to provide Advanced NDT
services to all downstream and upstream facilities,’ he says. ‘This involved testing numerous NDT applications, developing new NDT techniques, reviewing procedures and specialized techniques, scouting for new Advanced NDT technologies, and approving all Advanced NDT reports before sharing them with the end users.’
His admirable career has allowed him to work with local and international experts, networking with many other Advanced NDT technology developers. Sharing knowledge of this through technical paper presentations at local and international forums and conferences. ‘This experience not only made a significant impact on my career but also established me as a well- known NDT professional in the oil and gas industry. It also provided an opportunity to support several NDT programs in the Kingdom, mentor many engineers, share knowledge through ASNT Saudi Arabia Section monthly meetings, and provide guidance to the next generation of NDT professionals.’ You can read one of Abufour’s papers on page 44 of this edition.
Outstanding Contribution To The Industry
Abufour heralds his gold award at the Global Tank Storage Awards as a lifetime achievement. ‘I feel incredibly proud of this accomplishment, which adds great value to my record,’ he says. ‘I believe this award is the result of years of hard work, continuous effort, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in the field of non-destructive testing locally and globally.’ This was mirrored in the judges’ comments, with the Chemical Business Association’s CEO, Tim Doggett, noting that Abufour was ‘a very strong and impressive entry.’
After reading the criteria for the award, Abufour decided to nominate himself. ‘It was by accident that a close friend of mine from the United Kingdom sent me an email two years ago, asking me to vote for him to win one of the Global Tank Storage Awards previously,’ he recalls. ‘I did vote for him. Additionally, I reviewed all the award requirements and decided to nominate myself for the Outstanding Achievement award this year. I felt particularly confident due to the significant contributions and achievements I have made during my long career in the field of NDT within the oil and energy industry.’
Abufour adds that after winning five awards from the American Society for Non-destructive Testing he wanted to try to secure an accolade from Europe – and where better to start than with the Global Tank Storage Awards. Bagging the prestigious gold award at the 7th edition of the gala in March 2024, Abufour can now truly say he has made a global contribution to the industry.
‘I also want to raise awareness among NDT and quality professionals in the oil and gas industry about the Tank Storage Awards,’ says Abufour. ‘The recognition serves not only as a personal achievement but also as a testament to my hard work and dedication over almost four decades in developing and implementing innovative NDT techniques.’
Abufour’s advice for others looking to enter the Global Tank Storage Awards involves striving for continuous improvement and innovation, whilst always seeking feedback and support from peers and mentors. ‘Document your achievements meticulously and be prepared to showcase how your contributions have made a tangible impact on the industry,’ he says. ‘Recognising and celebrating your accomplishments can inspire others and contribute to the overall advancement of the field.’
Abufour continues: ‘The principle of excellence has been the beacon guiding my endeavours. Words fall short to express my profound gratitude, especially towards my family, the dedicated personnel of the company higher management, my colleagues across various departments, ASNT executive directors, staff, members, and friends worldwide.’
