Sasref is a 50-50 joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Shell.

The Jubail-based export-orientated refinery is classed among the top 20 refineries in the world, and is yet another example of how Shell has invested wisely and profitably in the Kingdom.

Again, Shell Global Solutions has been on hand to offer cost cutting measures following a hydrocarbon management review at the facility.

''Working closely with Sasref staff, Shell Global Solutions carried out a hydrocarbon management review, which yielded more than 472 ideas for improvement at the refinery,'' said Niels Fabricius, Sasref vice president.

''Shell Global Solutions started by building a sophisticated model of the refinery then brain-stormed with Sasref staff and experts from around the world to generate these ideas.

The 472 ideas were whittled down by the team with the support of Shell's 'back room boys' in Amsterdam and The Hague to a shortlist of 73, which together could save Sasref $47 million per year in the longer term,'' said Fabricius.