Work on Saudi Aramco’s Ras Al-Khair facility to begin 2018-end

Construction of the new onshore rig and equipment manufacturing and aftermarket facility, in a joint venture (JV) with US-based National Oilwell Varco (NOV), is expected to begin by the end of 2018, Saudi Aramco said in a statement on Wednesday.

Located in Ras Al-Khair in Saudi Arabia, the SAGIA Industrial, Service, and Trading Investment licenses for the facility have already been officially received, Aramco further added.

The new facility, when fully operational, will provide local job opportunities for nearly 1,100 people in multiple sectors.

“Moreover, the facility will contain a world-class training center installed with the latest equipment and simulators to provide the required training for locals as Saudization levels are expected to be at least 65 percent at the facility,” the state-run oil producer said.

“The JV will also increase future growth prospects in the oil and gas industry across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, creating new opportunities to meet local demand, and further boosting Saudi exports to the region,” it noted. 

Saudi Aramco and NOV signed a shareholder agreement to set up the integrated onshore facility in Ras Al-Khair in June this year, Argaam reported.

Under the agreement, Saudi Aramco will own 30 percent of the joint venture’s shares, while NOV will own the remaining 70 percent.