Aramco, TotalEnergies to build $11 billion Saudi petrochemicals plant

Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) and TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) will join forces to build a new petrochemicals complex in Saudi Arabia, the French energy group said on December 15.

The project involves investment of about $11 billion, of which $4 billion will be funded through equity by Aramco (62.5 per cent) and TotalEnergies (37.5 per cent), the statement said, Reuters reports.

The investment decision is subject to closing conditions and approvals, with construction scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2023 and commercial operation targeted for 2027.

The planned Amiral complex, integrated with the existing Saudi Arabia Total Refining and Petrochemical (SATORP) refinery located in Jubail on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast, will be owned and operated by Aramco and TotalEnergies.

The overall complex, including adjacent facilities, is expected to create 7,000 jobs locally.

The petrochemicals facility will enable SATORP to convert its refinery off-gases and naphtha, as well as ethane and natural gasoline supplied by Aramco, into higher-value chemicals.

The complex will eventually provide feedstock to other petrochemicals and speciality chemical plants in the Jubail industrial area, requiring an estimated $4 billion of additional investment.