Oman’s global integrated energy company OQ, Saudi chemicals giant SABIC and Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) have signed a project development agreement for a jointly owned petrochemical complex in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD).

The three companies aim to establish a world-scale petrochemical complex in Duqm consisting of a steam cracker, derivative units and a natural gas liquid (NGL) extraction facility. They will conduct the necessary studies and collaborate using their wealth of technical and commercial experience to develop the project with unique attributes that make it globally competitive and profitable for all three partners.

The agreement was signed by Talal bin Hamid al Awfi, OQ Group CEO, Abdulrahman bin Saleh al Fageeh, CEO (A) of SABIC, and Shafi Taleb al Ajmi, CEO of KPI.

Commenting on this agreement, Awfi said, “OQ is proud of this historic agreement with our partners SABIC and KPI. The agreement is a significant milestone reached between the partners and comes at an important time in Oman along with our 52nd national day celebrations and the near completion of the OQ8 refinery project in SEZAD being undertaken by OQ and KPI through the OQ8 joint venture. This agreement also comes in line with Oman Investment Authority’s (OIA) plans to attract foreign investments to support realize Oman’s Vision 2040 in its endeavour to diversify Oman’s economy.”

Fageeh said, “SABIC’s collaborative approach has built long-standing relationships of collaboration, delivered innovative solutions and created mutual value for more than 45 years. This agreement enables us to identify and assess opportunity for ambitious and sustainable growth by bringing together our capabilities, expertise and technologies and work collectively with our partners.”

“Our involvement in this well positioned project is consistent with our growth strategy and Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop a stronger downstream business addressing challenges in petrochemicals industry such as carbon neutrality and providing diversified and sustainable products,” he added.

KPI’s Ajmi commented, “We are pleased to work side by side with OQ and SABIC on this pioneering project in Oman, because working with our regional partners supports KPC’s 2040 strategy for growth in the petrochemical industry and enhances integration between the refining and petrochemical sectors. The project also supports the economic growth and development of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm.”

Petrochemicals demand is expected to continue its growth path as living standards and human development improve, particularly in growing markets close to Oman. The project intends to monetise NGLs and other feedstocks from OQ and KPI’s joint venture refinery, OQ8 in Duqm, to manufacture petrochemical products targeting growing markets linked to energy transition, clean technologies, mobility, construction, durable goods, healthcare and packaging amongst others.

The project intends to deploy state-of-the-art technologies to minimise carbon footprint and incorporate circular economy aspects and commit to high environmental standards. This mega project would support the region’s development aspirations, maximizing socio-economic impacts as well value addition to these companies.

In addition, the project would also benefit from the excellent location of Duqm being close to markets and taking advantage of the infrastructure which has been developed in the area, as OQ continues in its strategy to help develop SEZAD as manufacturing and logistics hub in line with vision 2040.

SABIC is a global diversified chemicals company, headquartered in Riyadh, manufacturing on a global scale in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific. It makes distinctly different kinds of products: chemicals, commodity and high performance plastics, agri-nutrients and metals.

KPI is the international downstream subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, ranked as one of the world’s largest national oil companies. Established in 1983, KPI operates over 4,700 service stations across Europe under its brands, Q8, Q8Easy and Tango, and provides over 70 airlines with jet fuel in major airport hubs. It also runs two state-of-the-art lubricant blending plants in Belgium and Italy under the brand Q8Oils and owns shares in three joint venture refineries in Italy, Vietnam, and Oman.