Bidding for 400,000 bpd Yanbu refinery re-launched as crude markets see improvement

02-Jul-09

Seeing improvement in the global crude and refined products markets, Saudi Aramco and ConocoPhillips recently announced the re-launch of the bidding process for the construction of the planned 400,000 bpd export refinery at the Yanbu Industrial City, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The full-conversion refinery is being designed to process Arabian heavy crude supplied by Saudi Aramco. It will produce high-quality, ultra-low sulfur refined products that will meet current and future product specifications. The project is targeted to start up in the Q3 - 2014. "This state-of-the-art refinery will provide high-quality refined products for global and domestic markets, and will add significant value to our downstream business portfolio," said Khalid G. Al-Buainain, senior vice president, Refining, Marketing and International, Saudi Aramco. Invitation for bid notices for the early work and major packages have been issued to prequalified local and international contractors. The major packages include a coker unit, crude facility, gasoline unit, hydrocracker, tank farm, offsite pipelines, high voltage electrical packages, as well as other infrastructure packages. Early work packages are expected to be awarded in November 2009. Bids for the remaining packages are due in the Q1 - 2010 and are expected to be awarded in the Q2 - 2010.