Vallourec sets up new venture in Dammam

Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif on Wednesday opened the Vallourec plant for manufacturing oil and gas pipes at the 2nd industrial city in Dammam. He also inaugurated the MODON lake.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot, Vallourec CEO Philippe Crouzet as well as officials and businessmen were among those present.
Speaking to media, Al-Rabiah assured that his ministry will continue to help commercial initiatives both from the public and private sectors. “We have 647,220 plants and 94 of them are still under construction. The total cost of these plants has reached SR800 billion and Saudization in these plants is 70 percent," he said, adding that there are seven industrial cities in the Eastern Province, including Dammam and Hafr Al-Batin. A few industries cities in the province are under construction.
Tariq Al-Qahtani, chairman of Abdulahdi Al-Qahtani company, stressed that Vallourec has a great reputation as one of the largest companies in the production of OCTG, which has reached west Europe, America and Brazil, and now Saudi Arabia. He added: "Vallourec has research and development centers, and they have more than 500 researchers in the development of technology and products."
Al-Rabiah pointed out that there is coordination between the ministries of labor and commerce regarding the facilitation of visas. He emphasized that without adhering to the required Saudization percentage, no visas will be facilitated to any plant. He added: "Also, there is coordination with the official environmental agencies regarding pollution in the plants.” The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has not shut down any plant on account of pollution but it did close plants for sewage and other reasons."
Saleh Al-Rashid, general director of MODON, said the area of the project is 400,000 square meters and the size of the lake is 210,000 square meters He added: "The project includes landscaping and planting 760 palm trees as well as 4 km of aesthetics." He added: "This project achieves sustainable development combining three elements of the environment, industry, and community services."
Philippe Crouzet stated that this plant will enhance the presence of Vallourec in the Saudi market by providing the latest and modern technology in oil and gas pipelines in the Kingdom and elsewhere in the Middle East. He added: "The annual production capacity of this plant is set to reach more than 100,000 tons, however, the company will provide the latest technology in the manufacturing of gears and pipes in order to produce more than 100,000 tons.
He highlighted that this plant is a result of strong partnership between Vallourec and Abdulhadi Al-Qahtani administration for over 50 years. "This has given an added competitive advantage in the local market, especially in the matter of manufacturing and delivery. Regarding the number of jobs, he assured this plant will create 200 new jobs for Saudis.