• Greenfield project is expected to be fully operational by end of 2030 
  • Integrated refining and petrochemical project aims to maximize chemical output 
  • Complex expected to supply around five million tons per year of feedstock to Gulei Petrochemical Base

Aramco, a global leader in the energy and chemicals industry, in collaboration with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) and Fujian Petrochemical Company Limited (FPCL), has formally initiated the construction of a state-of-the-art integrated refining and petrochemical complex in Fujian Province, China.

The complex is planned to consist of a refining unit with a capacity of 16 million tons per annum (equivalent to 320,000 barrels per day), an ethylene unit with a capacity of 1.5 million tons per annum, a paraxylene production capacity of two million tons along with downstream derivatives, and a crude oil terminal with a capacity of 300,000 tons.

FPCL, a joint venture between SINOPEC and Fujian Petrochemical Industrial Group Company, will hold a 50% stake in the facility, while Aramco and SINOPEC will each hold a 25% interest. The project is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2030.

At the groundbreaking ceremony: Aramco Downstream President Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani (L8), Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers Yasser Mufti (R2), Aramco Asia President Saleh Zaid (L3), Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and Chairman of NPC Standing Committee Zhou Zuyi (R8), Chairman and Secretary of the Leading Party Member Group of Sinopec Group Ma Yongsheng (R7), President and Deputy Secretary of the Leading Party Members Group of Sinopec Group Zhao Dong (L7), and Chairman of Fujian Petrochemical Company Limited Zhang Xiguo (R1).

Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani, President of Aramco Downstream, remarked: “Building on our strong relationships with both SINOPEC and Fujian Petrochemical, today’s groundbreaking further expands Aramco’s growing downstream investment portfolio in China. We will supply in excess of one million barrels per day of our crude oil to these high chemical conversion assets in China, reinforcing Aramco’s role as a reliable and long-term partner in China’s development. This also advances our liquids-to-chemicals strategy, through which we intend to direct more of our crude towards helping meet rising global petrochemicals demand.”

Ma Yongsheng, Chairman of SINOPEC, stated: “Both SINOPEC and Aramco are committed to promoting the high-quality development of the petroleum and petrochemical industry. Aramco's participation supplies long-term reliable and competitive feedstock for the project and further boosts the healthy development of Gulei Petrochemical Base. Successful cooperation in this project marks a new milestone in the China-Saudi all-weather strategic partnership, with a focus on greater domestic circulation and in line with the dual circulation strategy.”