Saudi Aramco Total Refinery and Petrochemicals (Satorp) Company will start operations at its refinery in Jubail by 13 December.

“Overall engineering, procurement and construction work at the refinery is 68 per cent complete,” says Fawwaz Nawwab, Satorp’s chief executive officer.

The $14bn joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Total is part of Saudi Arabia’s push to double its refinery capacity.

The refinery will be able to process 400,000 barrels a day (b/d). Saudi Aramco had committed to supply it with up to 440,000 bpd, Nawwab said.

Jubail will refine Saudi heavy crude into a range of fuels – from gasoline to petroleum coke – for domestic consumption and export.