據油氣新聞網站5月18日消息 沙特阿美和沙特基礎工業公司（Sabic）正推進在延布建設大型石化企業的計劃，這表明他們致力于實現擴大沙特下游部門的長期目標。

沙特阿美和沙特基礎工業公司進行的項目規劃也反映出他們注意到建設原油化工（COTC）項目的成本密集性。

GlobalData能源與技術編輯Indrajit Sen評論道：“沙特阿美/沙特基礎工業公司在延布規劃的下游項目被譽為中東第一個此類石油化工項目，也是世界上為數不多的此類項目之一。據估計，建造這樣一個綜合設施的成本高達250億美元，而對于阿美石油公司來說，在向公共投資基金（PIF）支付691億美元用于收購沙特基礎工業公司（Sabic）的多數股權時，證明這一水平的資本支出是合理的，但這或許不切實際。”

“石化產品需求前景的變化也被認為是項目運營商的一個因素，據報道，阿美/沙特基礎工業公司正考慮下調每年900萬噸的石化產品計劃產能。然而，這一項目絕非束之高閣，運營商也從未在任何時候正式將其擱置。

堅持原計劃建設一個大型COTC綜合設施仍然是合作伙伴的一個選擇，阿美/沙特基礎工業公司正在考慮在延布建設一個綜合煉油和石化項目的替代性、成本效益高的方法，甚至在伍德集團擔任顧問。

Indrajit Sen表示：“這一替代計劃的一部分是在靠近Yasref煉油廠的延布建造綠地石化廠，以獲得原料優勢。據估計，海灣合作委員會目前正在開發的大多數煉油和石化一體化項目的成本都在100億美元以下。阿美/沙特基礎工業公司可能需要一段時間才能為大型項目配置最佳方案，但他們對在延布建立下游設施的承諾仍然有效。”

王磊 摘譯自 油氣新聞

原文如下：

Saudi Arabia committed to Yanbu chemicals project

Saudi Aramco and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) are moving forward with their plans of building a mega petrochemicals complex in Yanbu. It demonstrates their commitment to their long-term goal of expanding the kingdom’s downstream sector.

How the Aramco/Sabic joijt venture (JV) is proceeding with the project planning also reflects that they are mindful of the cost-intensive nature of building a crude oil-to-chemicals (COTC) project.

Indrajit Sen, Energy & Technology Editor at GlobalData, comments: “The Aramco/Sabic planned downstream project in Yanbu has been touted as being the first oil-to-chemicals scheme of its type in the Middle East, and one of the few of its kind in the world. Building such a complex is estimated to cost up to $25 billion, and for Aramco, justifying that level capital expenditure when it is paying the Public Investment Fund (PIF) $69.1 billion for the majority acquisition of Sabic, is perhaps impractical.

“The shifting dynamics of petrochemicals demand outlook has also said to have been a factor for the project operators, with the Aramco/Sabic JV reportedly considering revising down the planned petrochemicals output capacity of 9 million tonnes a year. However, the project has by no means been shelved - neither had it been officially put ‘on hold’ by the operators at any point in time.”

Sticking to the original plan of building a mega COTC complex remains an option for the partners, and Aramco/Sabic are considering the alternate, cost-efficient approach of building an integrated refining and petrochemicals project in Yanbu, and even roped in Wood Group as a consultant.

Sen continues: “Part of this alternative plan is building the greenfield petrochemicals plant in close proximity to the Yasref refinery in Yanbu for feedstock advantage. Most integrated refining and petrochemicals projects currently under development in the GCC are all estimated to cost under $10bn. The Aramco/Sabic JV maybe a while away from configuring the best option for the megaproject but their commitment towards establishing a downstream facility in Yanbu remains in place.