Aramco mulls Ras Tanura, Yanbu petchem integration

26 June 2006 09:58  [Source: ICIS news]

DUBAI (ICIS news)--Saudi Aramco is considering converting the Ras Tanura and Yanbu refineries into large manufacturing complexes in order to take advantage of petrochemicals integration, a spokesman said on Sunday.

He added that the Ras Tanura Integrated Refining and Petrochemical project would be located adjacent to Aramco’s existing Ras Tanura refinery and Ju’aymah natural gas liquids plant in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. The target completion date for the project is 2010-2011.

The project is expected to feature the first application of full-range naphtha cracking in the Middle East, along with ethane cracking and aromatics production.

This combination is in line with the company’s strategy to promote crude oil-based petrochemicals, and to manufacture diverse products that are essential for the establishment of an advanced export-oriented conversion industry such as synthetic rubber and automobile parts.

The project would be integrated with the 550,000 bbl/day Ras Tanura refinery and produce about 3m tonnes/year of olefins and aromatics, and more than 4m tonnes/year of polymers and other petrochemicals.

As with the Rabigh project, Ras Tanura would develop an industrial park adjacent to the project to facilitate an environment conducive to a successful conversion industry.

The spokesman also said that Aramco had commenced the process of selecting a partner for the proposed joint venture.

The plan for Yanbu is currently under development, as the company evaluates options to upgrade the existing 235,000 bbl/day refinery into an integrated refinery, olefins, and aromatics complex that would provide a diverse line of petrochemical products.

Aramco’s plan includes the possibility of a synergy between the proposed Ras Tanura petrochemicals complex and its existing plants and other planned projects.
By: Anuradha Rao
+65 6780 4359

< previous article(VIDEO - ICIS news Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 27 October 2009)

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly