Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—Saudi energy giant Aramco is setting up two offshore fabrication yards that aim to deliver a more than 200 percent increase in the kingdom’s offshore fabrication capacity.
Start-up of the facilities is planned for the third quarter of 2023, with the initial combined production capacity estimated at roughly 70,000 metric tons (MT) per year, increasing the kingdom’s total offshore fabrication capacity from 30,000 MT to 100,000 MT annually. When fully operational, the yards are expected to create up to 7,000 direct and indirect jobs, with a target Saudization rate of 70 percent.
The new yards are being constructed in Ras Al Khair in collaboration with National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) and McDermott International. They are expected to fabricate and assemble offshore platforms, jackets and structures for subsea pipelines.
Designed to international standards and harnessing latest technologies, they are intended to serve the Kingdom, GCC and broader markets, SPA reported.
Establishing the yards at Ras Al Khair also aims to support localization of the maritime industry, and supplement the nearby King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services.
Ahmad A. Al-Sa’adi, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technical Services, said, “We believe the creation of these two yards represents a significant addition to infrastructure development for the maritime industry. They are expected to harness latest technologies, support localization efforts, improve the supply chain and contribute to the development of Saudi talent. In addition, they aim to contribute to economic diversification in the kingdom.”