Saudi state giant Aramco is furthering its ambitions to become a global petchems powerhouse.
Korea’s S-Oil, in which Saudi Aramco has 63.4% (the remainder is traded on the Seoul stock exchange) is studying the feasibility of integrating a petrochemical complex with its 669,000 b/d Onsan refinery near the port of Ulsan. The proposal is for a 1.5mn t/y mixed feed cracker, processing naphtha and refinery off-gas to provide feedstock for polyolefins units. S-Oil expects the new complex to cost 5 trillion won ($4.5bn) and is looking for start-up in 2023. (CONTINUED - 361 WORDS)