Saudi Aramco and Total sign JV fuel retail joint venture

Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil and gas company Saudi Aramco and French oil major Total have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement to develop a network of fuel and retail services in Saudi Arabia. The 50-50 JV plans to invest around USD1 billion over the next six years in the Saudi fuel retail market and start providing motorists with premium fuels and retail services in Saudi Arabia.

“Total is proud to be the first international oil major to invest in Saudi Arabia’s fuel retail network. This joint venture agreement is in line with our global strategy to expand in fast-growing markets worldwide,” said Momar Nguer, president, Marketing and Services, and executive committee member at Total.

“This new agreement is also reaffirming our long-term partnership with Saudi Aramco. Following our joint investments in SATORP refining and petrochemical complex, we are pleased to bring to the Saudi market our expertise and customer-minded approach in retail and contribute to local employment development.”

“I am excited about this major milestone, which will help transform the fuel retail market in the Kingdom. We look forward to working together with our long-term partner Total, and draw on their extensive experience in the fuel retail market,” said Abdulaziz Al-Judaimi, Saudi Aramco senior vice president of Downstream. “We aim to enhance the quality of services, as well as create thousands of jobs and additional investment opportunities in the Kingdom. This project will also help optimize the total value of our hydrocarbon resources.”

The two companies have also signed an agreement with the owners of Tas’helat Marketing Company (TMC) and Sahel Transport Company (STC) to acquire TMC and STC, thereby jointly acquiring their existing network of 270 service stations and their fuel tanker fleet. Saudi Aramco and Total plan to modernize this network and build high-quality service stations at selected locations.

This operation is subject to prior approval of the competent administrative authorities.