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Fluor wins Saudi chemicals contract

6 September 2023

 

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US-based Fluor Corporation has won the offsites and utilities package as part of the larger Ras al-Khair crude-oil-to-chemicals complex project, according to industry sources.

The planned facility is estimated to be worth $5bn and expected to process 400,000 barrels of oil a day (b/d), turning them into petrochemicals.

The project is being developed by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) and its parent company Saudi Aramco.

In February, Sabic announced the start of a feasibility study and initial engineering work to establish the large-scale complex.

In July, Saudi Aramco awarded France-headquartered Technip Energies a contract to deliver project management consultancy (PMC) services to develop the masterplan for Saudi Arabia’s Ras al-Khair industrial city.

The masterplan includes the Ras al-Khair crude-oil-to-chemicals complex project, as part of its liquids-to-chemicals programme to convert the majority of its oil and gas production into high-value, end-use chemical compounds.

Aramco is the master developer of the Ras al-Khair industrial city, located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, along the Gulf coast.

Saudi Arabia’s government, with the support of Aramco, intends to develop sprawling manufacturing, infrastructure and export hubs in Ras al-Khair for both oil and non-oil industries, which will contribute to its Vision 2030 socio-economic reform agenda.

The masterplan will comprise various studies, including optimum land use, a site preparation assessment, an export terminal assessment, an environmental baseline assessment, a hydrocarbon supply assessment, third-party engagement, area constructability and modularisation hub, Technip Energies said in a statement on 5 July.

These studies will determine the scope and programme execution plan for all civil, marine, telecommunication and industrial infrastructures that will support the primary industrial projects planned by the main tenants, the Paris-headquartered contractor said.

The contract also includes several PMC studies for the execution of the liquids-to-chemicals programme.

This programme involves all the major existing Aramco downstream hubs, as well as the new development of the Ras al-Khair area, the Euronext Paris-listed firm added.

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Wil Crisp

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