The expansion will involve the addition of new urea and ammonia lines, each with a capacity of about 1 million tonnes a year (t/y). Safco capacity now is about 1.2 million t/y of ammonia and 1.5 million t/y of urea. Contractors say an award is expected in January.

The expansion is the only major contract now out to bid for Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic). A linear alpha olefins (LAO) plant planned at Jubail United Petrochemical Company (United)is expected to be tendered later this year. The last EPC package at the United complex, it will have a capacity of 150,000 t/y. The plant will use new technology developed by Sabic's research and development team in conjunction with Germany's Linde (MEED 24:5:02).