15 October, 2025
In a major step forward for environmental protection and oil spill response, the CLIMATics group at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Saudi Aramco’s Environmental Protection Department (EPD) proudly announce the granting of three new patents through their partnership under the Saudi Aramco Marine Environmental Research Center at KAUST.
The three patents represent critical components of the integrated oil spill monitoring and forecasting system developed through the strategic partnership combining KAUST’s research expertise with Aramco’s industry leadership.
This patent introduces a spectroscopic system that rapidly identifies and characterizes different types of oil during spill events. By combining satellite optical sensors with machine-learning algorithms, the technology analyses the unique spectral signatures of crude oils and refined products to distinguish between light and heavy grades, refined materials, and weathered states.
It delivers results within minutes, even under challenging conditions, providing vital information for selecting the most effective containment and cleanup methods. By precisely determining oil composition, responders can anticipate spreading patterns, assess potential impacts, and tailor remediation strategies to each incident.
This patent presents a novel system for quantifying oil spill volumes using aerial imaging, satellite data, and hydrodynamic modeling. Specialized sensors detect variations in oil thickness, while proprietary algorithms generate three-dimensional spill models and calculate total volumes with a margin of error below 5%.
The system provides critical data for environmental assessment, regulatory reporting, and resource deployment, enabling continuous monitoring of spill evolution and evaluation of containment effectiveness.
The third patent introduces an automated platform for rapid and adaptive spill response. Integrating real-time environmental data with decision-support algorithms, the system directs autonomous vehicles equipped with sensors to monitor conditions and adjust cleanup strategies dynamically.
This automation significantly reduces response time, improves operational efficiency, and minimizes human exposure to hazardous environments. Field tests have shown a 40% improvement in containment time compared to conventional methods.
Together, these patents form key elements of the comprehensive oil spill management system jointly developed by CLIMATics at KAUST and Aramco’s EPD. The innovations reflect a shared commitment to advancing environmentally responsible technologies and sustainable operational practices across the energy sector.
This achievement builds on the long-standing partnership between KAUST and Saudi Aramco, translating advanced research into practical solutions for real-world challenges. By enhancing national capabilities in environmental protection, these technologies also support global efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems from the impacts of oil spills.
