Energy giant Saudi Aramco has teamed up with TotalEnergies to build an $11 billion-worth petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia.

A joint press release states that the current Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical refinery in Jubail on the kingdom’s eastern coast would be connected with the petrochemical complex known as “Amiral,” which will be owned, operated and built into it.

Work on the petrochemical facility will start in the first quarter of 2023, and commercial operations are scheduled to begin in 2027.

According to the press release, 7,000 direct and indirect jobs are anticipated to be generated by the entire complex and its surrounding facilities.

“Our long-standing relationship with TotalEnergies has been further strengthened by this important project, which represents an opportunity for us to showcase the potential for cutting-edge liquids to chemicals technologies that support the circular economy,” said Amin Nasser, president and CEO at Aramco. 

“With this collaboration, we aim to expand the value chain by producing advanced chemicals more efficiently than ever before, accelerating industrial progress in the Kingdom,” Nasser added.

The release further stated that the decision to invest by Aramco and TotalEnergies is subject to the usual closing requirements and clearances.

The petrochemical plant will allow SATORP to transform naphtha and refinery off-gases it produces domestically, as well as ethane and natural gasoline provided by Aramco, into higher-value chemicals, advancing the company’s liquids-to-chemicals strategy.

“We are delighted to write a new page of our joint history by launching this expansion project, building on the successful development of SATORP, our biggest and most efficient refining and petrochemicals platform in the world,” said Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO at TotalEnergies. 

“This world-class complex also fits with our strategy to expand sustainably in petrochemicals by maximizing the synergies within our major platforms,” Pouyanné added.

The petrochemical complex will also include a mixed feed cracker, the first in the area to be combined with a refinery that can produce 1.65 million tons of ethylene annually. Units for polyethylene, butadiene, and other related derivatives will also be present in the plant.