GSO Honorary Membership Award

Mr. Mohamed Al Harthy

Mohamed Al Harthy is the first geologist in the early 1990s to put in writing a request to establish a geological society in Oman. Although the circumstances were not ripe at the time, he planted the initial seeds that would eventually germinate in 2001 with the establishment of the Geological Society of Oman (GSO).

Once the Society became a reality, Mohamed played and continues to play a pivotal role in both setting strategic goals, executing various events and rendering valuable advise. GSO executive committee members have benefited greatly from the lengthy conversation and discussion with Mohamed on how to grow activity levels and maintain and increase the Society's membership body. Mohamed still plays that role now despite his continuously increasing workload. His unquestionable dedication to the Society is reflected in the number of awards he had received thus far:

• GSO service award in 2003
• GSO outstanding service 2004
• GSO outstanding service 2005

Mohamed deserves this award also because he is a geoscientist! He is a member of the first generation of early Omani geologists who joined PDO in the 1980's. During those years, it was not easy to be young and inexperienced. His personality, curiosity and inclusiveness, however, made it difficult for people to sideline him. Over the years, he proved to be a capable geologist who can tackle any challenges presented to him.

As an explorer he had the opportunity to work on a number of plays from the Fiqa turbidities to the flank traps of the salt domes. As a geologist, Mohamed poses the ability to simplify complex geological concepts to the lay person. That gift was recognized by his workplace when he was appointed the head of staff development in Exploration following his return from a cross posting assignment in Shell Egypt in 2002.

In that role, Mohamed was very effective in both recruiting young Omani geoscientists and advising PDO geosciences scholars. He also played an instrumental role in starting a PDO sponsored MSc. program at the Virtual Reality Centre for Carbonate Studies at SQU where young Omani geologists are today earning a post graduate degree by working on Oman related research topics. Progressing in his career, Mohamed became the team leader of the Nearfield Exploration Team in 2003. At that capacity, he successfully managed the exploration campaign of the Shuaiba stratigraphic traps in North Oman, thereby adding valuable barrels to PDO's overall production. In 2005, Mohamed moved on to face new challenges by becoming the Exploration Gas Manager. His career path is an example to many young aspiring Omanies.

By bestowing the Society's highest award, the GSO has recognized Mohammed Al Harthy as one of the most capable and enthusiastic Omani geologist.