DHAHRAN — Aramco has announced the awarding of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts totaling $7.7 billion to significantly expand its Fadhili Gas Plant in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.

This ambitious project aims to enhance the plant's processing capacity by 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd), elevating it from 2.5 to 4 bscfd.

Scheduled for completion by November 2027, this expansion is integral to Aramco's strategic plan to increase its gas production by over 60% by 2030 relative to 2021 figures.

The initiative not only promises to elevate sulfur production by an additional 2,300 metric tons per day but also aligns with Aramco’s commitment to environmental sustainability by contributing to efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Moreover, it seeks to optimize crude oil usage for refining and exporting, supporting a shift towards less carbon-intensive energy sources.

Wail Al Jaafari, Aramco's executive vice president of technical services, emphasized the project's dual focus on bolstering natural gas supplies and fostering the development of a lower-carbon hydrogen business.

He highlighted the collaborative nature of the expansion, involving leading international firms like SAMSUNG Engineering Company, GS Engineering & Construction Corporation, and Nesma & Partners, to achieve these ambitious goals. — SG