Stories

KBR recently announced a contract award to develop the world's largest fully-integrated Crude Oil to Chemicals (COTC) project in Saudi Arabia. Under the terms of the contract, which was awarded by Saudi Aramco and SABIC, KBR will serve as the second Project Management Contractor and will provide pre-FEED, FEED and Program Management Services to develop the downstream petrochemicals and chemicals part of the COTC complex.

The project will be executed from KBR's Houston, Al-Khobar, Monterrey and Chennai offices, and is expected to continue through to the start-up of the facility in 2025.

"We understand the strategic importance of the long-term investment that Saudi Aramco and SABIC are undertaking in this project and the pivotal role that KBR will have in the overall success of this important program," said Stuart Bradie, KBR President and CEO. "We are excited to have the opportunity to continue our proud legacy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to deliver such giga-projects."

To celebrate the contract win, KBR hosted a contingent from Saudi Aramco and SABIC at the Houston headquarters for a project kick off meeting and signing ceremony.

There were familiar faces on both sides as many individuals from the client and project teams previously worked together. It was mentioned that the KBR tower was like a "home away from home" for several members of the client team who had spent a number of years working with KBR on the Sadara and YASREF projects.

The kick off meeting opened with the signing of a Zero Harm poster, demonstrating a commitment to the project's safety culture by all project sponsors. Much of the discussion during the meeting was focused on the unique challenges and experiences on delivering a giga sized project like COTC.

"Given the rapidly changing economic environment we are faced with today, it has never been more important to create meaningful jobs for the growing Saudi population," said Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. "Through this contract, we will continue our commitment to meeting the objectives of both the In Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) and Vision 2030 programs."

This award reinforces KBR's position as a market leader in the hydrocarbons industry with a long track record of delivering across all phases of refining and petrochemical mega and giga-projects.