China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) and the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) have signed a venture framework agreement to expand the Yanbu Refinery in Saudi Arabia.
The expansion, which will include a large-scale, mixed-feed steam cracker and aromatics plant, is aimed at enhancing the refinery’s integration and supporting Saudi Arabia’s industrial diversification strategy.
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The project will leverage existing facilities to construct new units including a 1.8 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) ethylene plant and a 1.5mtpa aromatics plant with associated downstream polyolefin units.
This development aims to foster an innovative, full-industry-chain ecosystem and meet growing global market demand.
Aramco president and CEO Amin H. Nasser said: “The Yanbu expansion agreement deepens Aramco’s strategic partnership with Sinopec. By prioritising product innovation and diversification, we aim to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the global energy and chemicals landscape while positioning Yanbu as a premier integrated refining and petrochemical hub.”
The Yanbu Refinery in Yanbu Industrial City processes 430,000 barrels per day of Saudi heavy crude oil. It produces high-quality refined products and value-added chemicals for global markets.
The expansion is expected to significantly boost production capacity for high-end petrochemical products.
Sinopec Group president Zhao Dong said: “The Yanbu Refinery stands as a testament to the strong friendship between China and Saudi Arabia, delivering robust economic benefits and advancing the petrochemical industry’s modernisation.
“This expansion will unlock greater synergies between Sinopec and Aramco, creating a world-leading integrated refining and petrochemical enterprise with global competitiveness. Together, we will contribute to a low-carbon energy transition.”
The expansion project combines technological innovation and industrial chain optimisation to upgrade traditional energy cooperation models and explore sustainable development pathways.
The project will integrate new ethylene, aromatics and polyolefin units with existing infrastructure, elevating the complex’s refining-petrochemical integration capabilities.
It will also incorporate advanced technologies and green innovations to support Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and decarbonisation goals.
Additionally, NextDecade recently executed a 20-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) sale and purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Aramco.
The agreement involves the purchase of 1.2mtpa of LNG from Train 4 at the Rio Grande LNG facility in Texas, US, contingent on a positive final investment decision for Train 4.
