TotalEnergies and the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) are moving forward with the Amiral petrochemical complex, a state-of-the-art refining and petrochemical platform in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Both companies made their final investment decision in December 2022 for this ambitious project, which integrates with the existing SATORP refinery. Amiral aligns with TotalEnergies’ strategy to sustainably grow its petrochemical business using advantaged feedstocks and maximizing synergies within its large, integrated platforms in growth markets.
TotalEnergies, with a presence in Saudi Arabia since 1974, continues to develop significant projects in the Kingdom. The Amiral complex, a world-scale facility on Saudi Arabia’s east coast, represents an $11 billion investment. It is being developed and will be operated by the SATORP joint venture, owned by Saudi Aramco (62.5%) and TotalEnergies (37.5%). Construction commenced in 2023, with commercial operations slated for 2027.
The Amiral project encompasses the construction of a mixed-feed cracker capable of processing various low-cost feedstocks to produce 1.65 million tons of ethylene per year. It will also include two polyethylene lines, each with a capacity of 500,000 tons per year, alongside units for extracting butadiene and aromatics and producing high value-added derivatives. The complex is designed to convert feedstock directly from the SATORP refinery, such as off-gases and naphtha, supplemented by ethane and light naphtha supplied by Saudi Aramco.
Beyond its core operations, the complex will supply a specialized industrial park within the Jubail area, fostering the development of local specialty chemical plants. This collaboration aims to create key manufacturing activities in areas such as carbon fibers, lubricants, special fluids, detergents, additives, and automotive parts, further strengthening the local industrial ecosystem.
A strong focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility is integral to the Amiral project. Special attention is being paid to reducing the site’s carbon intensity, aligning with TotalEnergies’ ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As part of the project, a portion of the hydrogen co-produced by the steam cracker will replace methane as fuel in the SATORP refinery’s furnaces, contributing to lower emissions. The entire project, including the Amiral complex and the specialty chemicals park, is expected to generate 7,000 direct and indirect local jobs, with training initiatives jointly provided by TotalEnergies and Saudi Aramco.
