During French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Saudi Arabia, TotalEnergies marked its 50th year of operations in the Kingdom. This milestone underscores the company’s enduring strategic partnership in the energy sector with Saudi Arabia, a collaboration bolstered under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy. TotalEnergies continues to advance its multi-energy strategy in the Kingdom, achieving significant milestones in downstream oil, renewable energy, and sustainability through partnerships with local entities, particularly Saudi Aramco.
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, expressed pride in the company’s journey:
“Saudi Arabia exemplifies our multi-energy strategy, supporting the energy transition in oil and gas-producing nations. Our low-carbon and renewable energy projects align with Saudi Arabia’s Green Initiative and Vision 2030 goals. We are excited to continue our work here and look forward to achieving even more in the years to come.”
SATORP: A Flagship Refining and Chemicals Platform
A central element of TotalEnergies’ success in Saudi Arabia is its partnership with Aramco in the SATORP refining and chemicals platform. Jointly owned by Aramco (62.5%) and TotalEnergies (37.5%), SATORP stands as one of the world’s most efficient integrated facilities. Located in Jubail and operational since 2014, it boasts a refining capacity of 460,000 barrels per day.
SATORP earned ISCC+ certification in 2022, the first platform in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region to achieve this recognition. The certification highlights its innovative circular economy initiatives, such as producing polymers from recycled plastic waste.
The platform has also played a pivotal role in global energy security. In 2022, as Europe faced diesel shortages due to sanctions on Russian imports, SATORP supplied France with approximately 300,000 tons of diesel, ensuring a steady energy supply during a critical period.
The Amiral Petrochemical Complex: A Transformational Investment
TotalEnergies and Aramco are jointly investing $11 billion in the Amiral petrochemical complex, a project designed to complement the SATORP platform. Construction is already one-third complete, with operations expected to commence in 2027. This venture will further cement Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for advanced petrochemical manufacturing.
Solar Energy: Powering Vision 2030
In alignment with Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy goals, TotalEnergies is spearheading several solar projects:
- Wadi Al Dawasir Solar Plant: This 119 MW facility, developed in partnership with Toyota Tsusho and Al Taqaa Zahid, will begin operations in early 2025.
- Rabigh 2 Solar Project: A consortium of TotalEnergies and Aljomaih Energy and Water Company (AEW) signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) in November 2024 for this 300 MW plant, set to connect to the grid by 2026.
- Safeer Projects: Through its joint venture with Al Taqa Zahid, TotalEnergies is also implementing smaller-scale solar solutions for industrial and commercial customers, expanding access to renewable energy across the Kingdom.
Advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
TotalEnergies and Aramco are exploring innovative pathways to produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Following successful tests in 2024, the two companies plan to co-process used cooking oil at SATORP to create SAF starting in 2026.
Additionally, TotalEnergies, Aramco, and the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) are evaluating a dedicated SAF production facility. This unit aims to convert local circular economy byproducts, such as used cooking oil and animal fats, into aviation fuels, reflecting the partners’ commitment to sustainability and innovation.
A Multi-Energy Vision for a Greener Future
Over the past five decades, TotalEnergies has cultivated a robust presence in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the nation’s energy landscape and supporting its transition to a more sustainable future. The company’s integration of low-carbon technologies, renewable energy initiatives, and advanced refining solutions demonstrates its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
As TotalEnergies continues to strengthen its ties with Saudi Arabia, it sets a benchmark for energy partnerships, blending innovation with sustainability to meet global and regional energy needs. With projects like SATORP, Amiral, and solar developments, the company remains a vital contributor to the Kingdom’s evolving energy ecosystem.
