The US’ Fluor Corporation has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a downstream petrochemical facility at Jubail on the east coast of Saudi Arabia.

The contract was awarded by Sapco, a joint venture of Saudi Acrylic Acid Company and Germany’s Evonik Industries, for its super absorbent polymer (Sap) project in Jubail, according a 16 August company release by Fluor.

Fluor did not disclose the value of the contract, but says it was awarded in deal in the second quarter of 2011. Project work is already under way and is expected to be completed and commissioned by the fourth quarter of 2013.  

“This Sap project is part of a larger programme being developed by Saudi Acrylic Acid Company, for which Fluor has been engaged since the early developments of the project,” says the release.

Sap is used in the manufacture of disposable diapers and sanitary towels. It is also used to block water penetration in underground power or communications cables.

In July, Fluor was awarded an estimated $2bn utilities and offsites deal by Saudi Aramco and the US’ Dow Chemical at the $18bn petrochemicals joint venture in Jubail (MEED 22:7:11).