Tenaris’ first plant in Saudi Arabia was officially inaugurated in late September at a ceremony at which senior Saudi Aramco executives were present.

The plant is located in Dammam’s Second Industrial City and has capacity to produce 35,000 tonnes of OCTG pipes from five-and-a-half inches to 13 and three-eighth inches in accordance with API 5CT and Saudi Aramco’s standards.

The latest TenarisHydril premium connection technology will be followed at the plant which employs nearly 120 people, 50 of whom are Saudis.

“From our location in Dammam, we are better prepared to provide quality, state-of-the-art products while reducing response times. We have an excellent team and are ready to support continuous growth throughout the country,” said Tenaris chairman and CEO Paolo Rocca.

Aramco ties ‘enhanced’
In his remarks, Khalid Al-Shoaibi chairman of Tenaris Saudi Arabia Limited and of General Technologies & Systems Company Limited (Gentas), said: “This new, world-class plant will enhance our partnership with Saudi Aramco and continue our investment in the kingdom.”

Tenaris Saudi Arabia is a joint venture between Gentas and Tanasis Global Services Ltd.

For Tenaris Global Services, the new manufacturing venture is a significant development as Tenaris had served the Saudi oil and gas industry as a supplier since the early 1990s of high-quality OCTG pipe products. The venture also testifies to Tenaris’ strengthened commitment to serve Saudi Aramco and other local customers in offshore oil and gas operations.

Gentas is a member of the Shoaibi Group which undertakes joint ventures with its partner Saudi Trading  & Research Co (Starc) and is engaged in the supply of seamless pipes for oil, gas and petrochemical industries.