Behind the scenes: celebrating 25 years in Abu Dhabi

Our Abu Dhabi center colleagues, clients, families and partners recently marked the milestone of 25 years of Viridien innovation, technology leadership and regional partnership in the UAE. The event highlighted the center’s technical firsts for the region as well as the close relationships built over many years of working together.

In July, the team at our Subsurface Imaging center in downtown Abu Dhabi proudly marked the 25th anniversary of Viridien Abu Dhabi with their families, clients and valued partners. The occasion celebrated the people, innovation and shared achievements that have defined our journey and contributed to our success in the UAE over the past quarter of a century. The team also took the opportunity to thank our clients and partners for their unwavering trust and support while looking forward to many more years of innovation, collaboration and shared success.

One of the event’s more memorable moments was the unveiling of a special 25th anniversary display in the shape of the lens symbol that forms part of Viridien’s logo. Employees, family members, clients and partners were each invited to add a potted plant to this display as a vibrant living symbol of their individual contributions to the center’s history over the last 25 years and their ongoing support in shaping its future success. 

For Ramez Refaat, Middle East Geoscience manager, every plant added to this display represents a person, a relationship and a shared commitment: “A tree is only as strong as its roots. Our roots are every employee, every client and every partnership that makes us stronger. Twenty-five years ago, the first seeds of our company were planted. Today, each of us adds another—investing in a future that all of us, and those who come after us, will help grow.”

Another highlight was a special audiovisual presentation featuring heartfelt stories from our employees who reflected on memorable milestones, professional growth, and the supportive culture that has shaped their careers. Their experiences showcased the passion, commitment, and values that continue to drive Viridien Abu Dhabi forward.

Many at our Abu Dhabi center have seen their careers develop as the center has flourished, having the opportunity to work with many clients in the region and contribute to milestone projects. Ramez explains: “We work in a fast-moving industry, where clients expect the highest-quality solutions and real value. That is how trust is built. Not in one project, but over many years of outstanding delivery together.” 

Leading regional innovation for 25 years

In the UAE, some of the most significant technology developments have taken place in the challenging offshore environment where our Abu Dhabi team has successfully completed landmark ocean bottom node (OBN) projects, including the largest and densest OBN surveys ever acquired. According to David McCarthy, geophysical supervisor: “For our team this has been truly pioneering work with no shortage of challenges, such as the massive volumes of data, the complex near-surface geology and the demands of such a shallow water environment. By working closely with our clients, we’ve been able to deliver a series of outstanding results.” 

Shady Hassan, a team leader, agrees: “Ocean bottom seismic has evolved from an R&D concept into one of the most valuable tools. We are pushing the limits of seismic imaging, progressing from acoustic full-waveform inversion (FWI) to elastic FWI, leading to a much clearer and more detailed view of the subsurface.”

Among its many technical achievements onshore, Viridien took the lead in achieving high-resolution FWI, unlocking tremendous potential in improving imaging quality.  David continues: “We are now seeing high-frequency FWI results that are beginning to rival even those in marine. In Abu Dhabi alone, we have completed several land FWI projects over the last few years, delivering high-resolution velocity models that were previously out of reach.”

For many at the Abu Dhabi office, it is that combination of complexity and collaboration that stands out. According to Irelda Ruiz Lozano, senior geophysicist: “What makes it even more rewarding is being part of a team that constantly challenges ideas, shares knowledge, and works together to solve complex problems”.

A presence that extends beyond Abu Dhabi

Viridien has worked across the Middle East for many decades, with established teams, long-term partnerships, and an ever-growing depth of regional knowledge. 

In Egypt alone, Viridien has had a regional presence for over 50 years. This major milestone, celebrated at EGYPES 2026, coincided with the expansion of our Cairo imaging center and a new agreement to launch the largest multi‑client OBN seismic program in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Our broader footprint means our knowledge is not confined to one region; local teams work closely with clients, and as a global technology company, we bring together expertise from across our teams worldwide. As team lead, Oleg Khakimov, who has been part of the Abu Dhabi team since 2009 and with Viridien for longer still, explains: “What’s very important is the cooperation within our teams, between our teams and with our other centers. This helps us to always use the best seismic imaging practices.”

A trajectory that continues into the future

Even after 25 years, team members talk about the continuous growth journey of the center. Shady reflects on that ongoing momentum: “Across both offshore and onshore, we continue to improve our methods. But technology alone doesn’t create breakthroughs— people do.” 

Carlos Barajas, a project leader, brings it back to the same point the story started with: “What excites me most about the future of the Abu Dhabi center is the people. We have a strong foundation built over 25 years but we continue to bring in new talent, new ideas and new technologies. What makes this office special is how people from different cultures and backgrounds come together as one team.”