Saudi Aramco's First Offshore Fabrication Facility Opens

DAMMAM, January 28, SPA -- A major new development is taking shape at
Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port. Saudi Aramco’s Offshore Projects
Division recently celebrated the beginning of fabrication activities
for four offshore platforms at the newly constructed STAR Fabrication
Facility.


It is Saudi Arabia’s first in-Kingdom offshore facilities
fabrication yard and the centerpiece of the new long-term agreement
(LTA) contract awarded to a consortium between Snamprogetti Saudi
Arabia Ltd.; and Saipem, TAQA, Al-Rushaid Fabrications Company Ltd.
(STAR).


The LTA required the contractor to build an in-Kingdom full-service
fabrication yard and offshore support base capable of constructing
the company’s increasing number of offshore well platforms and
pipelines. The STAR facility, covering 300,000 square meters and
capable of fabricating 14,000 metric tons of structural steel per
year, will directly employ about 900 workers, presenting significant
opportunities for local employment and local businesses.


The entire facility, incorporating the latest in fabrication
technologies, was engineered, procured and constructed in just over
one year, according to a report carried by Saudi Aramco's web-site.


Northern Area Projects Department manager Abdulaziz I. Fallatah
said, “In addition to advancing Saudi Aramco’s Business Objectives,
this new state-of-the-art facility also achieves the company’s goals
of stimulating the Saudi economy and developing Saudi nationals in
the highly skilled offshore fabrication industry.”

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