Often described as game-changer for the GCC’s downstream sector, the $20 billion joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemicals is expected to have a huge impact on regional petrochemical and chemical production

Saudi Arabia’s Sadara chemical complex won the Downstream Project of the Year award at the 2016 Oil & Gas Middle East and Refining and Petrochemicals Middle East Awards.

The project, which is expected to be fully operational next year, is the world’s largest chemical complex ever built in a single phase.

The award was presented to Sadara’s Sami Amin, director for public affairs, by Kamlesh Parwani, commercial director EMEIP at MEGlobal – gold sponsor of the Awards.

'It is very exciting time for us in Sadara,' Amin says on the sidelines of the gala event.

'We are happy that we are doing enough to be recognised and we are looking forward to being able to do a lot more in the future.'

On the question what he believed impressed the judges the most, Amin says: 'If I had to guess, I would say the scale, the complexity and the scope.

'Sadara is huge – it has 26 units and they are all integrated. The complexity that goes into getting everything working and bringing it on stream is mind-blowing.'

Often described as game-changer for the GCC’s downstream sector, the $20 billion joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemicals is expected to have a huge impact on regional petrochemical and chemical production.

'Once we are fully operational, our impact is going to shift the entire regional industry,' says Amin.

'The products that we will be producing are only available right now in the region through import.

'By making them available locally we are going to help grow the downstream manufacturing industry–the tertiary manufactures–which will localise jobs, grow skillsets for Saudi citizens and the market will extend because of that as well, so there is a lot of knock-on value.'

The Highly Commended nomination in this category has been applauded for 'catering to the ICV commitments' of the company, as well as for its; 'downstream capability'.

It went to Oman Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company (Orpic) for its Liwa Plastics Industries Complex Project.