Saudi Aramco and Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a new joint venture facility in Saudi Arabia to manufacture non-metallic materials to be used in a variety of areas of the energy industry
Saudi Aramco, an energy and chemicals company, aims to play a leading role in accelerating the global deployment of non-metallic materials business, which would reduce the effects of corrosion.
Initially, the joint venture will focus on non-metallic reinforced thermoplastic pipes as a first and critical step towards developing such capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
Ahmad Al Sa’adi, Saudi Aramco’s senior vice-president for technical services, said, “This partnership with BHGE is another step in Saudi Aramco’s journey towards expanding the use of innovative non-metallic materials in its operations.”
“Saudi Aramco has successfully deployed more than 5000 km of non-metallic pipes, resulting in a significant increase in efficiency and reduction in maintenance and replacement costs across the company’s operations. Producing these materials in the kingdom would also unlock opportunities for local manufacturers and facilitate knowledge transfer,” he added.
Neil Saunders, CEO of BHGE Oilfield Equipment, commented, “As a full stream oil and gas service and technology provider, we have a deep background driving non-metallic product development that will benefit a wide range of industries. Saudi Aramco’s vision to expand its product development in the region aligns with our vision to support innovation and manufacturing in Saudi Arabia.”
Non-metallic applications are used in various industries, including oil and gas, construction, automotive, packaging and renewable energy, to manufacture products, including flowlines, downhole production tubing, vessels, pumps and cooling towers, all manufactured from non-metallic materials such as plastic, carbon fibre and glass fibre.
