Pioneering the Future: Saudi Arabia's Leap into Downstream Innovation

In a significant development aimed at enhancing Saudi Arabia’s role in downstream innovation, Aramco, Honeywell, and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA). This collaboration focuses on co-developing a next-generation direct Crude-to-Chemicals (CTC) technology, marking a pivotal moment in the petrochemical landscape.

The partners will concentrate on refining and scaling the complete CTC process, which is poised to lower both capital and operational costs associated with CTC conversion. Notably, this innovative pathway aims to maximize the value extracted from each barrel of crude oil by converting it directly into light olefins and other high-demand chemicals. As a result, the initiative promises to enhance fuel efficiency, improve carbon utilization, and optimize process economics, ultimately enabling cost-effective production on a larger scale.

Aligning with Vision 2030: A Strategic Initiative

This groundbreaking collaboration aligns seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes economic diversification and the enhancement of national research and technology capabilities. By focusing on advanced petrochemical processes, the partnership aims to fortify the Kingdom’s stature within the petrochemical industry. As Dr. Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco's Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight & Coordination, articulated, this initiative is not merely about technological advancement; it is about creating a vibrant ecosystem that generates substantial value for stakeholders, communities, and the environment.

Furthermore, the involvement of KAUST underscores the essential integration of academic research with industrial application. The partnership seeks to ensure that innovation and market-driven objectives progress in tandem, accelerating technology readiness and augmenting national capability. Dr. Ian Campbell, Senior Vice President of KAUST’s National Transformation Institute, emphasized that impactful science must translate into tangible industrial solutions, reinforcing the collaborative model between academia and industry.

The JDA represents a strategic alignment of industrial expertise, academic talent, and market ambition, setting the stage for high-impact innovation in the petrochemical sector. As this collaboration unfolds, it is expected to not only enhance Saudi Arabia's competitive edge in the global chemicals market but also contribute to a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

Vantage Markets: Leading the Charge at Forex Expo Dubai 2025

As the financial landscape continues to evolve, Vantage Markets stands at the forefront of innovation and opportunity. We are proud to announce our participation as an elite sponsor at the highly anticipated Forex Expo Dubai 2025, scheduled for October 6–7 at the World Trade Center Dubai. This event promises to be a gathering of the most influential brokers, fintech leaders, affiliates, and investors from around the globe. Attendees are encouraged to visit us at Booth 282, where our dedicated team will be available to discuss our latest offerings.

In preparation for this monumental event, Vantage hosted a pre-event webinar on September 24, featuring Souhail Fadlallah, our Business Development Manager. During this insightful session, he explored the topic "Opportunities for IBs, Affiliates & Money Managers in Today's Market." The webinar garnered positive feedback, setting a robust foundation for further discussions at the expo. As we approach the event, the anticipation for meaningful dialogues and networking opportunities grows.

Engaging Insights and Networking Opportunities

The Forex Expo Dubai 2025 will also feature a compelling presentation by Nibal Assaly, another of our Business Development Managers. He will take the conference stage on October 6, delivering a session titled "The Future of the US Dollar: Will It Remain the World's Reserve Currency?" With the dynamics of global finance continually shifting, Nibal's insights will provide valuable perspectives to attendees, fostering discussions that could shape future strategies.

Moreover, to enhance the networking experience, Vantage will host an exclusive after-party at Troy, Ramee Dream Hotel, Business Bay on the first day of the expo. This relaxed atmosphere will allow partners and industry peers to connect and build relationships, further reinforcing Vantage's commitment to community-building within the financial sector. 

Marc Despallieres, CEO of Vantage Markets, remarked, "Dubai has become a leading hub for financial innovation and international events. Our participation at Forex Expo Dubai reflects our global outlook, as we continue to support partners and affiliates with cutting-edge solutions, education, and community-building opportunities." 

With an exciting lineup of sessions, networking opportunities, and activities, Vantage Markets looks forward to engaging with attendees and strengthening its international footprint. The Forex Expo Dubai 2025 is not merely an event; it is an opportunity to shape the future of finance together.

Beneath the Sands: How GeoMap™ Middle East Unveils a Geothermal Renaissance

Revealing the Gulf’s Geothermal Promise

Project InnerSpace today announced the launch of GeoMap™ Middle East, a groundbreaking geothermal exploration tool that reveals vast geothermal potential in the Gulf region for cooling, long-duration energy storage, and round-the-clock power applications.

Geothermal energy, the heat naturally occurring in the Earth's crust, is an abundant and ubiquitous source of energy. Advances in drilling and subsurface technologies are making geothermal affordable and scalable in regions once thought inaccessible. In the Middle East, that progress is especially important, since geothermal can deliver the constant, low emissions energy needed to meet rising demand for cooling in some of the world's hottest, fastest-growing cities.

Technical Insights and Regional Opportunities

In the Middle East, geothermal can also complement record-breaking solar investments by providing long-duration energy storage. Importantly, the Middle East is uniquely positioned to scale geothermal quickly, given the region's decades of drilling expertise and robust oil and gas industry presence, providing the know-how, workforce, and assets needed for rapid deployment.

`GeoMap™` evaluates geothermal development potential by integrating millions of subsurface data points into an interactive, freely accessible platform. Initial findings in the Gulf region identify:

Urban cooling applications: In Gulf states, cooling drives up to 70% of peak electricity demand. Geothermal district cooling could slash that peak, easing grid strain in cities like Riyadh, Dubai, and Doha. GeoMap™ shows ~14,000 GW of cooling potential, with Iran, Egypt, Iraq, and Turkey providing two-thirds of capacity; Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar also hold major opportunities.

Subsurface storage opportunities: Geological formations across Iraq, Syria, the Gulf states, northern Saudi Arabia, and Yemen could serve as "earth batteries," storing excess solar and wind energy as heat in deep sedimentary basins and releasing it on demand to balance the growth of intermittent renewables.

High-potential geothermal zones: The Red Sea Rift (western Saudi Arabia/northern Yemen) holds potential for gigawatt-scale power production and desalination; eastern Turkey and northern Iran also have strong power potential. Both areas hold opportunities for geothermal powered data centers.

Strategic and Economic Implications

“One of the most exciting things about the geothermal development potential in the Gulf region is the fact that the resource sits below some of the world's most capable and resourced oil and gas companies - the very entities with the required expertise to develop these resources, and the ability to deliver the speed and scale necessary to make geothermal relevant for the world,” said Jamie Beard, Executive Director of Project InnerSpace.

`GeoMap™ Middle East` builds on previous releases of GeoMap™ in Africa, North America, India, Asia, and Oceania, advancing a global effort to map geothermal opportunities and make next-generation geothermal data freely accessible. Consequently, policymakers, investors, and industry leaders can now evaluate concrete projects, accelerate pilot deployments, and leverage existing drilling capacity to transform regional energy systems.