Saudis ink deal with Chiyoda for $240-mil methanol plant
三井物産・三菱商事など４社 サウジでメタノール生産
年１００万トン、世界最大規模 ２０年ぶり石化大型投資
三井物産と三菱商事など日本４社はサウジアラビアでメタノール製造事業に参加する。２００４年秋をメドに現地企業と合弁で、同製品では世界最大級の年産１００万トンの設備を稼動する。総事業費は３億５千万ドル（約４５０億円）。サウジ政府が外国企業の誘致に動いており、日本から豊富なエネルギー資源の活用を狙った投資が活発化する公算が出ている。
石油化学分野で日本からサウジヘの大型投資はほぼ２０年ぶりで、三井物産が同国に投資するのは初めてとなる。メタノールは接着剤や合成樹脂など化学品の基礎原料。日本で産出量が少ない天然ガスを原料としているため、日本は輸入に頼っている。安価な天然ガスを利用できるサウジで生産し、一部を日本に持ち込む。
新設の合弁会社は「インターナショナル・メタノール・カンパニー」（ＩＭＣ、ジュベール市）。資本金は８８００万ドルで、出資比率は現地の化学品メーカー「サウジ・インターナショナル・ペトロケミカル」（ＳＩＰＣ、アルコバル市）が６５％、物産が約２０％、商事とダイセル化学工業、飯野海運がそれぞれ約５％。ＩＭＣは今夏をメドに製造プラントの建設に着手する。ＳＩＰＣが工場運営、日本側は主に製品の輸出、販売を担当する。サウジでは３番目のメタノール製造会社となる。
（注 ①AR-RAZI Saudi Methanol
Companｙ：三菱ガス化学ほか出資
②IBN SINA National Methanol Company）
メタノールの世界需要は成長を続け、２００１年に約３千万トンとなった。今後もアジアや欧米を中心に毎年３－４％の伸びが見込まれている。
サウジでは三菱化学、三菱ガス化学、三菱商事などが１９８１年に設立した投資窓口会社を通じて、サウディ基礎産業公社（ＳＡＢＩＣ）と折半出資で石化事業を展開。８６年からポリエステル原料のエチレングリコールと、合成樹脂の低密度ポリエチレンを本格生産しており（SHARQ Eastern Petrochemical Company）、現在の年産能力はそれぞれ１３５万トン、７５万トン。ジュベール地区はこの事業も含め、安価な原油や天然ガスを利用できる石化プラントの集積地となっている。
日本企業 原油権益復活に期待
日本とサウジの経済関係はアラビア石油の原油生産事業が中軸だったが、原油権益が２０００年２月に期限切れとなり、疎遠となった。しかし日本企業にとって原油や天然ガスの資源は魅力。投資誘致策に転じつつあるサウジの姿勢を見極めながら進出のチャンスを探ることになりそうだ。
経済産業省や経団連は１９９０年代から原油権益の延長をにらんで同国への投資を日本企業に呼びかけてきた。しかし、ビジネス環境の違いから実績は上がらなかった。日本貿易振興会（ジェトロ）によると、日本企業によるサウジヘの直接投資累計額（２０００年度末）は２７億１７００万ドル。最近では丸紅とセーレンなどが繊維加工品の合弁会社に２３．５％出資したほか、デンソーがカーエアコンの製造合弁を設立しているが、他の中東各国同様、日本からの投資は低迷気味だ。
しかし石油依存からの脱却を目指すサウジ政府は外資導入と民営化による経済構造改革を推進。２０００年４月に①法人税率の４５％から３０％への引き下げ②外資出資制限の撤廃③資本、利益の海外送金保証ーーなどを柱とした新外国投資法を制定。国益に直結する原油生産を除き外国企業を誘致する姿勢を見せている。
今後も日本からの投資は石油や天然ガスを活用できる化学品が軸となる見通し。原油権益を日本企業が得るのは容易ではないが、今後日本からの投資が続けば、原油生産への参加する道が再ぴ開けるとの期待も出ている。
Saudi International Petrochemical Company (A. H. Al-Zamil Group)
http://www.zamil.com/web/sp.htmlWHO ARE WE?
Saudi International petrochemical Company (SIPC) is a newly-established Saudi Joint Stock Company with a fully paid-up capital of SR 500 million (US$ 133 million).SIPC will initially participate in the formation of three limited liability companies, in joint venture with foreign partners, to produce and market maleic anhydride (MAN) and butanediol (BDO), methanol and acetic acid in Jubail Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
OUR OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the company is the setting of petrochemical, chemical and other hydrocarbon industries, using local resources, infrastructure and expertise wherever possible.
The company will harness the Saudi Government's support for private sector industries to contribute to national GDP. A further objective will be to enhance Saudization efforts through the initial creation of more than 300 jobs.
SIPC aim is to grow into a major petrochemical manufacturer within ten years. By serving markets in the Gulf and internationally through carefully chosen partnership, SIPC will apply world class technology and marketing to achieve superior products and quality of service and will remain one of the leading Middle East based industrial enterprises in strategically selected businesses.
SIPC's strategy for growth and development recognizes tremendous advantages in the availability of the vast oil and hydrocarbon resources of the region as a backbone for petrochemical industries. SIPC will vigorously seek a number of projects in the basic and downstream petrochemical industries and also new investment for its project integration programs.
Initial Plans
The company intends to manufacture 50,000 mta of MAN/BDO, 850,000 mta of methanol and 300,000 mta of acetic acid using the latest technologies.
The raw materials for MAN/BDO and methanol are butane and natural gas respectively, which are available in the kingdom. The raw materials for acetic acid are methanol and carbon monoxide, which will be supplied by the methanol plant.
The MAN/BDO, methanol and acetic acid projects, SIPC's initial venture, have attracted considerable interest from potential foreign partners. The company will be positioned to pursue future investment opportunities relating to downstream chemicals and other valued-added products by virtue of the spread of its operations, location and other contributory factors such as local planning and marketing expertise.
Major factors behind the substantial public and private investors interest in SIPC are the planned location of the projects in the highly- developed Jubail Industrial City of Eastern Saudi Arabia and their proximity to the ports of Dammam/ Jubail and similar industries.
The projects, which are expected to come on stream in 2003, are capital intensive, export oriented and value added, which generate incremental foreign exchange as well employment and training opportunities fro Saudi workers and professionals.
The proximity to national and international markets, particularly Asia, are further significant advantages, SIPC's product s will be marketed throughout the Kingdom, GCC States and Worldwide.
http://www.saudiembassy.net/publications/newsletter2000/07-k.html
July 2000
New Joint Stock Petrochemical Firm Launched
A new joint stock petrochemical company was launched in Saudi Arabia on July 5. Incorporated in Riyadh, the Saudi International Petrochemical Company (SIPC) will have a projected capital of three billion Saudi riyals (800 million U.S. dollars). The company currently has a paid-up capital of 500 million riyals (133.3 million dollars), with 35 percent of the investment coming from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the rest from Saudi Arabia. The company will build a plant in the Jubail Industrial City on the Arabian Gulf, which is to become operational by the end of 2003. SIPC has signed a contract with Fluor-Daniel, Inc. of the United States for overall management of the complex, which will include a methanol plant producing maleic anhydride, butanediol and acetic acid in addition to a vinyl acetate monomer plant.Meanwhile, the company and its partners in the Gulf Company for Advanced Chemical Industries signed an agreement on July 10 to set up a joint venture with the U.S. firm Huntsman Corporation in Utah, which is North America’s largest privately-held chemical company, and the London-based Norwegian company Kvaerner Process Technology Limited to produce 50,000 tons of butanediol and 7,000 tons of maleic anhydride per year. The project will use Huntsman’s proprietary butane-to-maleic anhydride technology and catalyst to produce butenediol. Butenediol is used in the production of thermoplastic polyurethanes, elastic fibers, pharmaceuticals and solvents, and is a chemical that has witnessed fast growth in consumption worldwide. The facility also has the capability to produce 10,000 metric tons of maleic anhydride, which Huntsman will have the option to market.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Prince Abdullah Bin Faisal Bin Turki expressed pleasure at seeing a group of varied local and international companies participating in this project.
July 11, 2000 Huntsman
Huntsman Signs Maleic Anhydride Saudi Arabia Joint Venture Agreement
Peter R. Huntsman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Huntsman Corporation, today announced that Huntsman has entered into a maleic anhydride production venture in Saudi Arabia.
Huntsman has joined with Saudi International Petrochemical Company (SIPC) and the other shareholders in Gulf Advanced Chemical Industries Company (GACIC), along with Kvaerner Process Technology Limited of London to construct a plant in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The new facility will have the capacity to produce up to 70,000 metric tons of Maleic Anhydride (MA) and 50,000 metric tons of Butanediol (BDO). Engineering has already begun and the shareholders expect the plant to start up in the first quarter of 2003.
The venture will use Huntsman's proprietary butane-to-maleic anhydride technology and catalyst to construct an n-butane based, fixed bed maleic anhydride plant. The maleic anhydride then will be used as a feedstock for the production of BDO and tetrahydrofuran (THF) via Kvaerner's maleic anhydride-to-butanediol technology and catalyst.
Maleic Anhydride is used primarily in unsaturated polyester resins for the manufacture of boats, cultured marble bathroom fixtures and automotive body parts. It also is used in lube oil additives, agricultural chemicals, paper sizing chemicals, artificial sweeteners and detergents.
Butanediol is one of the world's fastest growing chemicals, used in the production of thermoplastic polyurethanes, elastic fibers, pharmaceuticals, solvents, plant protection, coatings and electronic chemicals.
Mr. Huntsman commented, "This venture demonstrates our commitment to remaining the leading global player in maleic anhydride production, technology and catalyst."
Thomas Fisher, Senior Vice President of Huntsman, who was present at the signing in Riyadh, commented, "The Maleic Anhydride from this plant will allow us not only to continue serving the growing global needs of our maleic anhydride customers, but will further establish that the preferred route to BDO is through our maleic anhydride technology and catalyst."
The new facility will be the 6th consecutive maleic anhydride plant in the world to use Huntsman's fixed bed technology and catalyst. Mr. Fisher said that the integrated process utilizing the proven Huntsman and Kvaerner technologies, provides licensees "the industry's best BDO production economics."
Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Zamil, GACIC chairman, commented, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents one of the best available locations for petrochemical enterprises. Access to low cost raw materials, built in infrastructure, and the government's support present unmatchable economic advantages."
Huntsman Corporation is the world's largest producer of Maleic Anhydride and among the world's largest producers of fixed bed maleic anhydride catalyst. Huntsman's maleic anhydride manufacturing facility in Pensacola, Florida has a capacity of 230 million pounds per year. Huntsman holds a 50% interest in the CONDEA-Huntsman 56,000 metric ton maleic anhydride plant in Meerbeck, Germany. Huntsman announced its plans to work with Grupo IDESA in Mexico to construct a 40,000 metric ton per year plant, scheduled to start up in the fourth quarter of 2002, to help supply Huntsman's customers in the U.S.
Huntsman Corporation is the world's largest privately held chemical company. Huntsman-held companies today have revenues in excess of $7 billion from multiple locations worldwide employing 14,000 people.
SIPC is a recently formed Saudi Joint Stock Company who are also constructing along with foreign partners methanol, acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer plants in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Kvaerner is a Norwegian engineering and construction group with a London-based international headquarters. The group has annual revenues of approximately $10 billion, with some 55,000 permanent staff located in more than 100 countries.
Platts 2004/8/2
Eastman, Saudi's Sipchem sign acetyls technology deal
Saudi International Petrochemical Co and Eastman Chemical Co announced Monday that the companies signed an interim agreement for Eastman to license its proprietary acetyl co-production technology to Sipchem. The licensing agreement is part of Sipchem's plan to establish a world-scale acetyls complex in the Saudi Arabia through expansion of its Al-Jubail petrochemical. The acetyl complex will focus on production of acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer and is expected to start-up in 2008. Terms of the interim agreement were not disclosed. Cumulative acetic acid and acetic anhydride capacity will be approximately 460,000 mt/yr, and the majority of acetic acid will be used for VAM production, the companies said. In addition to the technology license, Eastman will provide technical support and market all acetic anhydride produced from the facility.
2004/10/26 Foster Wheeler
Foster Wheeler Awarded Project Management Services Contract to Develop New Acetyls Complex in Saudi Arabia
http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=fwlrf.ob&script=415&layout=-6&item_id=635826Foster Wheeler Ltd. (OTCBB: FWLRF) announced today that its UK subsidiary Foster Wheeler Energy Limited has been awarded a project management services contract by Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) for its Acetyls Complex to be built at Jubail Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The terms of the award were not disclosed. The project will be included in third-quarter bookings.
"Foster Wheeler is delighted to be awarded this contract by Sipchem, adding to our substantial track record of such projects and demonstrating that Foster Wheeler is the project management services contractor of choice for the industry," said Steve Davies, chairman and chief executive officer of Foster Wheeler Energy Limited. "We look forward to assisting Sipchem in achieving a safe, environmentally sound, efficient, and reliable plant and in contributing to the further development of Saudi industries."
"The acetyls complex will provide further growth opportunities for Sipchem, representing our vision for developing investments in the petrochemical industry to produce value-added products, serving both Saudi and regional needs," commented Ahmed Al-Ohali, president of Sipchem. "We selected Foster Wheeler as the company with the best capability and personnel to work with us in the development and management of this important project."
The complex will produce 460,000 tpa of acetic acid and 300,000 tpa of vinyl acetate monomer. Phase I of the complex, comprising methanol and butanediol plants, is currently under construction.
Foster Wheeler will work as part of an Integrated Project Management Team (IPMT) together with Sipchem. The role of the IPMT is to develop and issue bid packages for the engineering and construction of the acetyls complex and its associated utilities and offsites. Once the projects are awarded, the IPMT will manage the engineering and construction activities on behalf of Sipchem and its affiliates.
In the early phase of the project, the IPMT will support the project planning and development team of Sipchem to complete the feasibility study, obtain approvals and establish company formations.
Construction of the complex is planned for commencement in 2006 with start-up in 2008.
GACIC - Gulf Advanced Chemical Industries Ltd.
GACIC is a Saudi company owned by five of the major private industrial groups within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Al-Zamil Group, Al-Babtain Group, Al-Turki Corporation, Astra Group and Nahlan Commercial Company.
GACIC is headquartered in Al-Khobar of KSA and is directed by H. E. Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Zamil. The company established with the objective to construct and operate Maleic Anhydride / BDO and derivatives plant in Jubail.
The plant is designed to produce 10,000 tons/year and 50,000 tons/year of Maleic Anhydride and BDO products respectively. The company is planning to start its project commercial operations during the year 2002.
European Chemical News 2003/4/7
Aker wins SIPC bid
Saudi International Petrochemical Company (SIPC) has awarded Aker Kvaerner a turnkey contract for the construction of a 75 000 tonne/year butanediol (BDO) project in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
Huntsman Corporation と Kvaerner とのJV
Platts 2002/12/26
Saudis ink deal with Chiyoda for
$240-mil methanol plant
Saudi Arabia's International
Methanol Co (IMC) has signed a $240-mil contract with Japan's
Chiyoda Corp and local firm Chiyoda Petrostar Co for the
construction of a methanol plant, Arab News reported Thursday.
IMC is a joint venture between the Saudi International
Petrochemical Co (SIPC) and Japan-Arabia Methanol Co (JAMC).
サウジメタノールカンパニー第4期計画 世界最大のメタノール単一工場さらに増強
1999年4月完成予定、生産能力300万トン／年超に
日本・サウジアラビアメタノール株式会社（三菱ガス化学株式会社（以下MGCと略す）他8社からなる日本側投資会社、東京都港区、伊藤淑郎社長）とサウジアラビア王国基礎産業公社（以下SABICと略す）との合弁会社であるサウジメタノールカンパニー（AR-RAZI）は、6月2日、リヤドのSABIC本社において、第4期メタノール計画の建設契約を、三菱重工業株式会社（以下MHIと略す）と間で調印しました。
第4期プラントの規模は85万トン／年、完成は1999年4月を予定しています。MHIは第1期、第2期、第3期に引き続いての受注となります。
第4期メタノール計画の概要は以下の通りです。
●計画内容: メタノール製造プラントの1系列増設
●プロセス: MGCプロセス（第1期、第2期、第3期プロセスと同じ）
MGCは同時に運転指導、技術協力を行う
●契約内容: 詳細設計、機器製作および調達、現地建設工事をMHIが請け負う、フルターンキーベース
●設備能力: 2,500トン／日、85万トン／年
●完成予定:1999年4月
●建設費: 第3期プラントと略同一プラントであるが、コンストラクターが同一で、かつ建設時期が略継続することなどから 、第3期より低減する。
●資金調達: 後述
●マーケット: 第4期プラントの生産量の50％は日本へ引き取る権利を有するが、日本の国内市場を勘案し、稼働後逐次引き取り量 を増やしていく。
その間はサウジ国内需要を中心に、SABICにより多く供給されることとなる。
今回の増設は、サウジ国内のメタノール誘導品であるMTBE向け自消量の増大、および世界的なメタノール需要の増大に対応したものです。
AR-RAZIは、1983年2月、サウジアラビアのアルジュベール地区における一連の石油化学プロジェクトの最初のプラントとして、第1期メタノールプラント（64万トン／年）をスタートさせて以来、92年1月には第2期プラント（64万トン／年）を増設、現在は第3期プラント（85万トン／年、本年6月完成予定）建設の最終段階にあります。
第3期プラント完成により、約220万トン／年体制となり、メタノール単一工場としては世界最大となりますが、第4期プラントが完成すれば年間生産能力は300万トンを上回り、工場運営の合理化に大きく寄与するものと期待されます。
また、第3期プラント以降、メタノール合成プロセスにMGCとMHIが共同開発した省エネタイプの新型合成塔（スーパーコンバーター）が採用され、運転性能の向上とともにプラント全体のエネルギー効率を10％以上高める最新鋭プロセスとなっており、コスト競争力の強化も大いに期待されます。
AR-RAZIは、その第1期計画においては建設総資金の約60％をサウジ政府資金であるPIFから融資を受けましたが、第2期計画は全額自己資金で賄い、第3期計画では総所要資金の60％を借入とし、その全額を日本輸出入銀行からの融資を受けて建設中です。第4期計画においても、総所要資金の70％に対し日本輸出入銀行から融資を受ける予定です。
AR-RAZIは、1983年の稼働開始以来約14年間、日・サ合弁企業として順調かつ成功裏に運営されてきており、今回の計画も日・サ技術・経済協力、およびその友好関係に一層寄与する物と期待されます。
〈日本・サウジアラビアメタノール株式会社 概要〉
設立: 1979年11月12日
資本金: 4,620百万円
資本構成:三菱ガス化学株式会社 47.0％
海外経済協力基金 30.0％
三井東圧化学株式会社 5.0％
住友化学工業株式会社 5.0％
株式会社クラレ 5.0％
伊藤忠商事株式会社 5.0％
新日鉄化学株式会社 1.0％
東邦理化工業株式会社 1.0％
日本化成株式会社 1.0％
〈サウジメタノールカンパニー（AR-RAZI) 概要〉
設立: 1980年2月9日
資本金: 259百万サウジリアル
資本構成:日本・サウジアラビアメタノール株式会社 50％
SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION 50％
日本経済新聞 2004/6/16
サウジ公社、プラント新設 三菱ガス化学・伊藤忠などとの合弁
ＣＥＯ会見 メタノール年産１７０万トン
サウジアラビア政府直系のサウジ基礎産業公社（ＳＡＢＩＣ）のモハマド・アルマディ最高経営責任者（ＣＥＯ）は１５日、日本経済新聞記者と会見し、三菱ガス化学や伊藤忠商事などの企業連合との石油化学合弁会社であるサウジメタノールについて、年産１７０万トンのメタノールプラントの新設を決めたことを明らかにした。
ＳＡＢＩＣは三菱化学や国際協力銀行など日本企業５８社が出資するサウディ石油化学との合弁会社、イースタン・ペトロケミカル（ＳＨＡＲＱ）での増産計画の事業化調査も決定している。アルマディＣＥＯはサウジメタノ－ルやＳＨＡＲＱを含む生産能力増強に総額６４億ドル（約７千億円）を投資する方針も明らかにした。（別紙）
メタノールはガソリン添加剤や合成樹脂・繊維の原料として需要が拡大している。サウジメタノールが新設する第五期プラントの投資額は「３億－４億ドル（３３０億－４４０億円）」（同ＣＥＯ）。日本側との分担比率は明らかでない。生産開始は２００７年の予定。
サウジメタノールはＳＨＡＲＱと同じ東海岸のアルジュベールに生産拠点を置く。単一の生産設備としては年産能力３００万トンを上回り、すでに世界最大のメタノール生産能力を持つ。原料となる豊富な天然ガスを利用して生産能力を拡大、コスト競争力を高める。
2004-1-22 Asia Chemical Weekly
Saudi's Tasnee to form jvs for methanol and derivatives
Saudi Arabia's National Petrochemical Industrialisation Co
(Tasnee Petrochemicals) plans to pursue its methanol, acetic acid
and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) projects as joint ventures with
local or foreign companies, according to a company source.
It was earlier reported that the privately-owned Saudi company
planned to build an integrated complex for producing 1.8m tonne/year of
methanol and 700 000 tonne/year of combined acetic acid and VAM in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Methane
feedstock has been secured.
The source said Tasnee might be partnering different companies
for each planned unit. Tasnee has yet to appoint the licensors
for the three units.
The source said surplus methanol would at first be sold, with the
possibility of another derivative unit being built at later
stage.
Tasnee is also planning to build a cracker in Al-Jubail, fed by
ethane and propane, which would produce 1m tonne/year of ethyene
and 200 000 tonne/year of propylene. The propylene could be used to expand
Saudi Polyolefins Co's (SPC's) 450 000 tonne/year polypropylene
(PP) plant, which is due onstream this quarter. SPC is a Tasnee
subsidiary.
Saudi Arabia's
IMC to start up mega methanol plant in November
Saudi Arabia's International Methanol Co
Ltd plans
to start up its new 1-mil mt/yr methanol plant at Al-Jubail by the end
of November, a source close to the company said Friday. The
start-up would be two months ahead of schedule.
IMC planned to have the first commercial shipments ready in early
December, the source added. IMC is a joint venture between the Saudi International
Petrochemical Co and Japan-Arabia Methanol Co. JAMC is 55% owned by the
Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co, with the remainder held
by Mitsubishi Corp (15%), Daicel Chemical Industries Ltd (15%),
and shipping company Iino Kaiun Kaisha ltd (15%).
Mitsui plans
to take off around 80% of the output from the plant, and targets to sell most
of it to contract customers in Asia. A smooth start up of the
methanol plant would add significant additional supplies to the
Asian market, as already in May this year a new 1-mil mt/yr
methanol plant was commissioned by Iran's National Petrochemical
Co at its Bandar Imam complex.