Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and Total Energy recently signed an agreement near a shared offshore Field in Iran. Signed contract to build $11 billion petrochemical complex.
This Joint Offshore Field, known as Arash in Iran and Durrat in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, holds significant reserves of oil and gas.
However, any project without Iran’s consent would violate international law, so the development has raised concernsSaudi Aramco and Total Energy sign deal for $11 billion petrochemical complex
Saudi Aramco has signed an $11 billion facility contract to be built in partnership with TotalEnergies, a state-of-the-art petrochemical industry complex.
The “Amiral” complex is located in Jubail in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. It will expand the existing SATORP refinery.
The project, which is unique for its proximity to an offshore field shared by the three countries of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, is slated to be commissioned by 2027, according to the latest reports. Overview of the Joint Offshore Field – Arash/Durra
In 1967, the offshore field known as Arash in Iran and Durra in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait was discovered.
It is expected to contain proven reserves of 310 million barrels of oil and 20 trillion cubic feet of gas.
However, the field has sparked disputes among allied parties, particularly Iran, which claims that any development without its consent violates international law. Iran argues that 40 percent of the field lies within its territorial waters.
Allegations of Iran’s concern and inaction
Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergy’s joint offshore field. Iran expressed concern about its development
Hedayetullah Khademi 66 Chairman of the Board of Directors of Iran Oil and Gas Drilling Company, Association. He chastised the Iranian authorities for failing to take an active stand against Iranian occupation.
Iran is accused of allowing neighboring countries to exploit aid in the development of joint fields such as Arash/Durra, Farzad-A, Farzad-B and Forzan, despite Iran being the first to explore these fields.
ran’s participation in previous projects and joint fields
In 2001, Iran launched a project to extract gas from the Arash/Durra field. The projects faced opposition from Kuwait, which threatened to sue international organizations.
These initiatives were shelved in the wake of diplomatic negotiations between the Emir of Kuwait and then-Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.
Iran announced the restart of the projects in 2013. But they are yet to achieve significant success.
Iran insists that it will actively participate in the joint field. Because it keeps a part of the reserve.
“Amiral” Complex – A significant expansion project
The “Amiral” complex, combined with the existing SATORP refinery in Jubail, will house the largest
