Saudis' Aramaco and Japan's Sumitomo study petrochem expansion
ABU DHABI Ñ Saudi Arabia is researching the prospect of
expanding its petrochemical sector, Middle East Newsline reported.
The state-owned Saudi Aramco has ordered a feasibility study on the
expansion of Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co.
On June 23, Aramco and
its partner, Sumitomo, awarded the contract to conduct the study to Japan's
JGC Corp. The report was expected to be completed by July 2010.
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"Once the project is proven viable, PetroRabigh will be invited to
decide on the implementation of the Rabigh-2 project," Aramco said.
In 2008, Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical launched initial operations of
PetroRabigh, a joint venture meant to export ethane, oil and petrochemicals.
Aramco and Sumitomo said they would expanding petrochemical operations by
2015 in what could cost more than $5 billion.
