Industry News & Analysis
News
Kuwait replaces top executives in oil sector shake-up
Heads of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s subsidiaries replaced after sacking of CEO Farouk al-Zanki
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation chief sacked by government
Head of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation replaced in wake of $2.19bn payment to Dow Chemical
Maaden restarts Eastern Province ammonia plant
Company says it was able to carry out maintenance while shutdown was in force
Al-Karaana prequalifies contractors for $6.4bn Qatar project
Joint venture of Qatar Petroleum and Shell plans two-packages for huge petrochemicals complex
Construction to start on region’s first fluid catalytic cracker
US’ WR Grace partners Abu Dhabi’s Al-Dahra Agriculture for $200m catalytic cracking project
Oman to study new $3-4bn petrochemicals complex
Head of downstream operator says new steam cracker and plastics units under consideration – report
New $1bn-plus steel plant planned for Hail
Study under way that could result in major steel production in remote northern city in Saudi Arabia
Cristal Global to start Jizan operations in 2014
Local company will produce titanium dioxide and pig iron at new plant
Maaden to launch $7.5bn phosphates financing by July
Mining company considering bond issue to fund project in north of kingdom
Aramco to join forces with Sabic and Saudi Investment Authority
New joint venture will tackle megaprojects in the kingdom that are beyond the realm of private sector
Dow receives $2.2bn in damages from Kuwait
Payment ends four-year dispute over cancelled K-Dow Petrochemicals venture
Sabic planning bond issue this year
Petrochemicals firm Sabic considering debt issue
Falcon Cement awards LV Technology expansion contract
Thai company to build new mill and carry out upgrade at Bahrain cement producer
Petrochem tenders Dubai chemicals storage expansion
Project will increase capacity of Jebel Ali industrial and speciality chemicals storage
Egypt signs financing deal for sugar project
New facility will produce 500,000 tonnes a year
Kuwait approves Daelim for sulphur-handling deal
South Korean firm’s $519.6m price approved
Al-Rajhi Steel could shelve $3bn steel plant
Saudi steel plant project could have scope greatly reduced, be put on hold or cancelled
Maaden shuts fertiliser plant in Eastern Province
Shut-down due to ammonia plant not being restarted at $5bn complex in Ras al-Khair
Hebah Group awarded contract to build Dubai perfume factory
UAE-based Rasasi to expand capacity with new plant in Dubai Industrial City
Sudan's Kenana to double sugar refining capacity
Sudanese sugar company provides food security to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
Comment
Sabic continues to grow at home
If there was ample feedstock demand in the kingdom, Sabic would be less inclined to look overseas
Al-Rajhi steel plans on hold
A lack of gas has meant that many steel projects are developing far slower than previously anticipated
Dubai role as gold hub strengthens
Growing ties with Africa is helping to drive up commodities business volumes in the UAE
Can a country buy its own security?
Defence spending in the region is on the rise, but amassing an arsenal is not the best way to run a country
Phosphates to test Maaden
The remote location will make it more difficult for Maaden to execute ambitious phosphates city
LNG terminal to offer flexibility
Liquefied natural gas imports will offer Riyadh a few years of breathing space to utilise its own resources
Shale gas boom forces rethink
Developments in the US are raising concerns in countries that produce large amounts of chemicals in the region, such as Saudi Arabia
Concerns rise over ethane price hike
If Riyadh raises feedstock prices, reduced growth and lower profits are likely to hit petrochemicals sector
Maaden hopes to set the standard
Maaden hopes its $6bn phosphates city at Waad al-Shamal will emulate the success of Ras al-Khair
Veto a step back for steel plans
Al-Rajhi Steel has rejected the commercial and technical bids for its planned $3bn steel complex
Low-cost metal attracts industry
Vehicle manufacturers are taking note of the Gulf’s cheap aluminium to replace heavier steel components
Analysis
Saudi Arabia spearheads GCC industrial expansion
Region’s largest economy leads and Kuwait lags as GCC invests in industrial diversification
Middle East steel demand set to surge in 2014
Uncertainty over major steel projects could leave region a significant importer over next decade
Riyadh's phosphates vision
Plans to develop $7bn phosphates city in remote corner of the kingdom move forwards
Region steps up military spending
Defence expenditure in Middle East and North Africa rose in 2012 as global spending declined
Q&A Munir al-Kaloti, president and chairman, Kaloti Jewellery Group
Physical gold bullion will indeed maintain its credibility for the future as the ultimate security in terms of investment
Kaloti Jewellery Group
The Dubai-based refiner’s expansion plans reflect faith in gold’s long-term prospects
Gulf best positioned to capture petrochemicals growth
Despite US feedstock becoming more competitive, GCC retains access to key growth markets
Shale gas threatens Gulf ambitions
Rapid expansion of petrochemicals capacity using cheaper feedstock is likely to come to an end
GCC metals and mining awards robust over last 12 months
Over $28bn of projects in the pipeline as region seeks to diversify industrial base
