Saudi Aramco to invest billions on a downstream expansion program

(Arabian oil and gas) -- At the signing ceremony for a USD10 billion new 400,000 bpd refinery project at Yanbu with China's Sinopec, Al-Falih said Aramco would hit 8 million barrels capacity ⌠over the next decade, according to a Reuters report.

While international oil companies such as Chevron are shying away from further downstream investment as refining margins tumble to break-even levels, Al-Falih has committed Aramco to graduating from the world's largest oil producer to becoming the world's largest single vertically integrated energy company, as a part of a national strategy for the Kingdom to become a downstream hub for emerging south-east Asian markets.

"Let me stress that the various world-class local and international refining and petrochemical investments Saudi Aramco is making are a testament to our firm belief that the downstream remains an attractive and profitable business," Al-Falih said on Saturday, according to Reuters.

The company is already committed to expansion projects at Jubail, Jizan and Ras Tanura, which is already the world's largest refinery. Al-Falih said the downstream business of Aramco ⌠will be a USD60 billion business by the time we are done building.

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(Arabian oil and gas) -- The SABIC subsidiary SAFCO has appointed Saipem as its E&C contractor for its latest expansion project. In December, Saipem was awarded the Safco (Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company), lump sum turnkey contract for the project ⌠Safco V.
The contract encompasses the fifth expansion of the industrial complex of Al-Jubail, by the development of a new urea plant located approximately 100 kilometres north of Dammam, on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia.

The scope of work includes the engineering, procurement and construction of a new plant with a production capacity of 3,250 tons per day of urea, based on the Snamprogetti proprietary technology, along with associated utilities as well as off-site systems and interconnecting structures with existing plants. The project will be completed in first half 2014.

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(Arabian oil and gas) -- KBR has won a contract from Tecnimont for the license and basic engineering design (BED) of a new ammonia plant to be built by Chemical Industries Holding Co. (Kima) in Aswan, Egypt.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide Kima with a license for its proprietary Purifier Ammonia Technology and related engineering services for Kima's new plant. The plant is being built on a fast-track basis and will support regional development plans in Aswan as well as Egypt's drive to build modern fertilizer complexes.

⌠KBR's ammonia process is a benchmark in the industry as is evidenced by our global installed base, said John Derbyshire, President, KBR Technology. ⌠We are honored that Kima has selected KBR Technology and look forward to working closely with our EPC partner Tecnimont to deliver a world-class ammonia plant to Kima."

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(BASF) -- BASF announced today that it is concentrating its plant biotechnology activities on the main markets in North and South America. The company will adjust the portfolio and site footprint of its subsidiary BASF Plant Science to reflect this change.

The headquarters of BASF Plant Science will be moved from Limburgerhof, Germany, to Raleigh, North Carolina. Research and development activities will be concentrated mainly in Raleigh, Ghent, Belgium and Berlin, Germany. Development and commercialization of all products targeted solely at cultivation in the European market will be halted. Regulatory approval processes which have already started will be continued.

⌠We are convinced that plant biotechnology is a key technology for the 21st century. However, there is still a lack of acceptance for this technology in many parts of Europe - from the majority of consumers, farmers and politicians. Therefore, it does not make business sense to continue investing in products exclusively for cultivation in this market, said Dr. Stefan Marcinowski, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, responsible for plant biotechnology.

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(mausergroup) -- A worldwide leading company in industrial packaging, Mauser Group announced to open a new IBC line at its facility in Oosterhout, the Netherlands.

Operation commenced in September 2011 and it is planned to gradually increase the production rate during the next months. Mauser installed a complete IBC line including new blow moulding machinery. Therewith the Mauser location in Oosterhout is able to produce the Mauser SM IBC portfolio.
"We see an increasing demand for IBC solutions in the region. By opening a new IBC line, we are able to faster respond to customers' needs which is crucial to support supply chain processes in an optimal way.
Furthermore, this enables Mauser and our customers to reduce environmental impact due to the transport of empty packaging.

We are happy to provide companies in the Netherlands with high-quality IBCs for hazardous and sensitive filling goods," said Dr Jürgen Scherer, SBU Manager Europe, Mauser Group.Besides the new IBC line, Mauser Benelux BV produces open-top drums, L-Ring drums and small plastic packaging for distribution in the Benelux countries. Furthermore, the subsidiary manufactures hospital waste drums for the European market.

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