French steel pipe producer Vallourec has announced that it has inaugurated its new premium finishing plant for oil and gas tubes (OCTG) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The new finishing plant built with a total investment of $200 million will carry out heat treatment and threading for the full range of premium connections, with an annual capacity of 100,000 mt.
"This state-of-the-art finishing plant in Dammam enables Vallourec to support local customers with the most advanced premium products for their growing oil and gas projects, and with increased services thanks to high flexibility and short delivery times. Vallourec Saudi Arabia gives us a clear competitive edge in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the Middle East, where the demand for local content is increasing," said Philippe Crouzet, chairman of Vallourec's management board.
With this first premium finishing plant in the Middle East, Vallourec is reinforcing its presence in the region where numerous oil and gas projects require high added-value tubular solutions. Vallourec Saudi Arabia will mainly supply Saudi Aramco, the Kingdom's national oil company, along with other regional operators. The plant is expected to generate around 200 jobs.
