KAPSARC wins two Best Paper Awards at WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh

RIYADH — The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) received two Best Paper Awards at the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, recognizing its research contributions to global energy challenges, including the energy transition and clean cooking solutions in Africa.The center concluded its participation as a National Partner at the congress, held from October 11 to 15 under the theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All.” The event marked the first time Saudi Arabia hosted the international gathering since its inaugural edition in London in 1933.Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy, recognized KAPSARC for its participation as a National Partner and its role as the Energy Hackathon Host Partner.Organized by the Ministry of Energy, the hackathon brought together innovators to develop practical solutions to challenges facing the energy sector.KAPSARC researchers Olivier Durand-Lasserve, Abdullah Aljarboua, Aayushi Awasthy, Ryan Alyamani and Amit Kanudia received a Best Paper Award for their study, “Petrochemicals in the Energy Transition: Insights from a Global Bottom-Up Energy Model.”The paper was recognized under the Energy Fuels and Molecules – Future Pathways track.Awasthy also received a second Best Paper Award for her research, “Carbon Finance for Clean Cooking in Africa: Comparing Methodologies, Market Models, and Mitigation Outcomes,” under the Energy Leadership – Future Pathways track.More than 20 KAPSARC leaders and experts participated in 18 sessions and scientific activities across the congress’s Executive, Technical, Synergy and Special Programmes, addressing energy security, investment, emerging technologies and sustainability.KAPSARC President Fahad Alajlan joined an executive panel on global oil market fundamentals, investment requirements and the role of spare production capacity in ensuring energy security.”Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in maintaining spare oil production capacity, even when it remains unused. This provides substantial value to the global economy, particularly during periods of heightened uncertainty,” Alajlan said.He also delivered the opening address at the third Symposium on Pathways to Reduce Carbon Emissions in the Petroleum Downstream Industries (SPRCEPDI 2026), organized by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) on the sidelines of the congress.Alajlan emphasized the need to balance energy security with sustainability, maintain investment in oil and gas, and pursue economically viable emissions-reduction technologies.He highlighted KAPSARC’s research on energy efficiency, waste-heat recovery, carbon capture and utilization, and its Circular Carbon Economy Index.Throughout the congress, KAPSARC led a Knowledge Sprint exploring generative artificial intelligence applications in oil market analysis and a World Café session focused on carbon dioxide removal technologies.Its researchers also contributed to discussions on global energy supply and demand, energy access, governance, transportation, artificial intelligence, refining and petrochemical emissions.At the OAPEC symposium, KAPSARC experts presented research on industrial decarbonization, the social cost of carbon, changing petrochemical feedstocks and carbon dioxide utilization.The center also participated as a Platinum Sponsor of the SMART CDR 2.0 Competition for the second consecutive year, supporting the development of scalable carbon dioxide removal technologies.KAPSARC Vice President of Finance and Operations Saad Alqarni emphasized the importance of scientific research and international cooperation in addressing energy and climate challenges.”At KAPSARC, we believe that addressing energy and climate challenges requires rigorous research, technological innovation, sound economics, and international collaboration,” Alqarni said.Meanwhile, KAPSARC’s exhibition pavilion showcased its research, analytical tools, educational programs and capability-development initiatives.The pavilion featured seven dedicated areas, including five research hubs covering oil, transportation, clean energy, artificial intelligence and collaboration, alongside the KAPSARC School of Public Policy and the Saudi Energy Leaders Assembly.The center said its participation strengthened the contribution of Saudi research and policy expertise to international discussions on energy security, sustainability and the future of global energy systems.