China Timeline
Building a Better World in China
In 1978, Fluor established our presence in China, setting up an office in Beijing. Since that time, we have successfully completed projects across more than 20 provinces and municipalities for multinational companies and China's state-owned enterprises. Today, our Chinese operations center is in Shanghai, with additional branch offices in Beijing and Zhuhai, providing a full array of project execution services.
With more than 45 years in China, some of the industries we serve are chemicals, petrochemicals, refineries, polysilicon, upstream and downstream operations, mining & metals, manufacturing and life sciences.
1910s
Fluor quickly builds a reputation for innovation and precise engineering and construction work.
1912
Fluor Construction Co. founded
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1912: Fluor Construction Co. founded
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In 1888, John Simon "Si" Fluor emigrated from Switzerland to America in search of challenges and opportunity. He previously trained as a journeyman carpenter in the Swiss guild and brought with him the ethos that system embodied — a reverence for craftsmanship and the ambition to build structures that would outlast the builder.
In 1912, Mr. Fluor founded Fluor Construction Company in Santa Ana, California, leading the company until his death in 1944. Fluor Construction Company performed general contracting at the start and quickly gained a reputation for quality and innovation.
1970s
Fluor awarded its first capital investment project in China.
1978
Fluor begins operations in China

1978: Fluor begins operations in China

Fluor was awarded the Jiangxi Dexing Copper Mining Project, our first capital investment project in China.
1980s
Fluor enters into cooperation agreements with local Chinese companies, and continues to expand in China.
1985
Fluor cooperates with Chinese companies on a project to project basis
1985: Fluor cooperates with Chinese companies on a project to project basis
Sino Fluor Engineers was formed in May of 1985 with China National Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec). Sinopec was the largest Chinese industrial corporation and had the responsibility for major industrial and petrochemical operations.
1986
Fluor contracts to commission and maintain Shajiao Coal-Fired Power Station
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1986: Fluor contracts to commission and maintain Shajiao Coal-Fired Power Station
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Fluor, as a 50 percent partner in Duke/Fluor Daniel, completed commissioning, workforce training, establishment of plant operations, maintenance, and management in four-year contract for Hopewell Power's Shajiao B 700 MW (2 x 350 MW) Coal-Fired Power Station. The project was completed in 1990.
1989
Shantou Ocean Services 50,000-tpy grassroots polystyrene plant awarded

1989: Shantou Ocean Services 50,000-tpy grassroots polystyrene plant awarded

The lump-sum 50,000-tpy grassroots plant included a two-train continuous solvent polymerization plant that produced high-impact and general purpose polystyrene with its design based on Fina licensed technology. Fluor executed engineering, procurement of major offshore equipment and bulk materials and construction management.
1990s
Fluor completes manufacturing and oil and gas projects in China.
1990
Fluor renovates the Tieling-Dalian Pipeline
1990: Fluor renovates the Tieling-Dalian Pipeline
Fluor was contracted to design the renovation of six pump stations for the 270-mile Tieling-to-Dalian crude oil pipeline in the People's Republic of China. Because the crude was non-Newtonian and waxy, crude-fired heaters were installed at each pump station. The renovation reduced energy consumption, increased pumping efficiency, and included updating the communications systems.
1994
Fluor builds chocolate manufacturing plant

1994: Fluor builds chocolate manufacturing plant

Fluor's offices in Greenville and Beijing provided engineering, procurement, and construction management support for Cadbury Schweppes chocolate manufacturing plant in Beijing, China.
2000s
Fluor's chemical expertise is recognized in China, and Fluor is awarded the contract to build the world's largest polysilicon plant.
2000
Awarded BASF-YPC Integrated Petrochemical Site Project in Nanjing

2000: Awarded BASF-YPC Integrated Petrochemical Site Project in Nanjing

Fluor provided program management services to BASF-YPC as part of an integrated management team of personnel from Fluor, BASF and Yangzi Petroleum Corp (a subsidiary of Sinopec). This major petrochemicals complex in Nanjing, China, was the largest single project to be undertaken by BASF and was our first large project management contract in China. We also performed front-end engineering and design and engineering, procurement and construction management services for the offsites, utilities and infrastructure. The whole program was completed in 2005.
2000
Kodak China Program completed, the first $1B investment by a U.S. company in China

2000: Kodak China Program completed, the first $1B investment by a U.S. company in China

Fluor provided overall program management, engineering, procurement, construction management and partial commissioning services for the program, which combined emulsion manufacturing, film and paper sensitizing and finishing, packaging and shipping, utilities and associated infrastructure. The project was completed ahead of a critical schedule and within a tight budget, to world-class quality standards and with zero lost-time accidents.
The project received Fluor's Hugh Coble Project Excellence Award in 2000. The award is based on outstanding performance in several areas, including safety, value creation and client and community relations.
2002
Awarded ConocoPhillips Bohai Bay Development Phases I & II Project

2002: Awarded ConocoPhillips Bohai Bay Development Phases I & II Project

Fluor was selected by ConocoPhillips China, Inc. to develop the largest offshore oil production facility in Bohai Bay, China. Phase I was the design package for a fixed production platform tied to a refurbished floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) system. Phase II was the full field development with five additional platforms, interconnecting sub-sea pipelines and a new-build FPSO.
The project went on to win the Engineering Project of the Year Award from Platts as well as Fluor's Hugh K. Coble Award.
2004
Government officials attend celebration at BASF's Integrated Petrochemical Site
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2004: Government officials attend celebration at BASF's Integrated Petrochemical Site
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Mr. Hui Liangyu, Vice Premier of the State Council of PRC, and Mr. Sheng Huaren, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress made a site visit to BASF-YPC Co. Ltd.'s Integrated Petrochemical Site.
2005
Corning LCD Glass Manufacturing and Finishing Plant project awarded

2005: Corning LCD Glass Manufacturing and Finishing Plant project awarded

Fluor constructed two LCD glass panel manufacturing facilities in Taichung and Beijing for Corning. Design and construction were fast-tracked to meet the client’s timeline. Personnel in our Shanghai, Taipei and Greenville offices contributed to the project.
2006
Grade 1 construction license obtained

2006: Grade 1 construction license obtained

The Ministry of Construction granted Fluor a Grade 1 construction license, the first general construction (GC) license issued to an international engineering company (IEC) in China.
2006
Fluor awarded Ivanhoe Oyu Tolgoi Copper Mine project in Mongolia

2006: Fluor awarded Ivanhoe Oyu Tolgoi Copper Mine project in Mongolia

In 2006, Fluor was awarded a program and construction management contract for the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. The mine represented the largest engineering and construction project in Mongolia, and became one of the world's largest copper mines when it commenced operations in 2013. Fluor China provided design and procurement support for the infrastructure, with the Shanghai office supplying 60 percent of the project's technical and support personnel.
2007
Awarded LDK Polysilicon Project, world's largest polysilicon facility

2007: Awarded LDK Polysilicon Project, world's largest polysilicon facility

Fluor was approached by LDK Polysilicon to assist in the construction of a new polysilicon facility in Xinyu, China. The scope included a front-end engineering and design (FEED) study as well as engineering, procurement and construction management.
Three Fluor offices collaborated on the project: Greenville, U.S., Manila, Philippines, and Shanghai China.
Mechanical completion was achieved in 2010, after which the project received Fluor's Hugh K. Coble Award.
2008
Class A Design License obtained

2008: Class A Design License obtained

The Ministry of Construction granted Fluor a Class A Design License, allowing us to perform self-engineering in China.
2009
BASF-YPC awards second phase of Integrated Petrochemical Site Expansion Project in Nanjing

2009: BASF-YPC awards second phase of Integrated Petrochemical Site Expansion Project in Nanjing

Integrated Petrochemical Site Expansion Phase II (IPS II) was the second phase investment project after the expansion of the facility was completed in 2005. This new phase increased production capacity for ethylene products, added fine-chemical plants and expanded site utilities and infrastructure. Joining Toyo and Daelim in an international consortium, we were responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) of our own portion of the project. We also performed EPCm services for the offsites, utilities, infrastructure, non-ionic surfactants and ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol unit.
2009
Fluor aids successful startup of China's Bohai Bay Peng Lai 19-3 Offshore Oil Field

2009: Fluor aids successful startup of China's Bohai Bay Peng Lai 19-3 Offshore Oil Field

Fluor announced that it has assisted in the successful startup of production at Peng Lai (PL) 19-3 blocks' Phase 2 project located in China's Bohai Bay.
Fluor performed engineering services throughout the project, which included conceptual engineering, front-end engineering and design (FEED) and detailed engineering. Fluor also provided procurement services for three wellhead platforms and construction support in fabrication yards in Shanghai, Tanggu and Singapore. Engineering and procurement were performed from Fluor's global execution centers in Houston, Shanghai and Manila, the Philippines.
2010s
Fluor supports global projects with fabrication in China while delivering major Chinese projects.
2010
Dow Corning Siloxane Project in Zhangjiagang completed

2010: Dow Corning Siloxane Project in Zhangjiagang completed

Fluor performed engineering, procurement, construction management and project management for a major siloxane intermediate facility constructed in the Jiangsu Yangtze River Chemical Industrial Park. The scope included chlorosilane storage, methyl chloride storage, overheads/pipe rack, undergrounds, wastewater treatment and water scrubber, product storage, demineralized water and steam boiler systems, tank farm and material and energy recover unit, acid neutralization and solids treatment.
2010
Platts' 2010 Engineering Project of the Year "Premier Projects"
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2010: Platts' 2010 Engineering Project of the Year "Premier Projects"
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Fluor helped ConocoPhillips China, Inc. develop the largest offshore oil production facility in Bohai Bay, China. The world-class offshore development project was named Platts' 2010 Engineering Project of the Year in the "Premier Projects" category, and received the ConocoPhillips SPIRIT award.
2011
Fluor selected as BASF's engineering partner

2011: Fluor selected as BASF's engineering partner

Fluor was selected by BASF as its engineering partner in Asia and Europe. Following that demonstration of client confidence, BASF subsequently named Fluor as its engineering partner for capital projects in North America in 2012.
2012
Dow and Fluor sign Strategic Global EPC Agreement
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2012: Dow and Fluor sign Strategic Global EPC Agreement
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The Dow Chemical Company and Fluor sign a Strategic Global Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) and Construction Management Agreement in support of Dow’s global capital projects program ranging across all Dow products.
2013
San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge opens

2013: San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge opens

The American Bridge/Fluor Joint Venture constructed the $1.8-billion, 625-meter-long East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. This first-ever, single-tower, self-anchored suspension (SAS) bridge was at the time the largest public infrastructure project in California's history
Bridge components were fabricated in the United States, Europe and Asia. A secondary office was established in Shanghai, China, to oversee production of the main structural steel fabrication and supply. Bridge components shipped via eight shipments, arriving every two months from China.
Photo courtesy of Eric Christianson.
2014
Fluor signs Memorandum of Understanding with China National Nuclear Corporation
2014: Fluor signs Memorandum of Understanding with China National Nuclear Corporation
Fluor signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to cooperate on nuclear and renewable energy opportunities in Europe and China. Under the MOU, CNNC and Fluor will cooperate on a broad range of civil nuclear-related opportunities in the UK, Germany and China. The arrangement also covers work in the renewable energy market including wind farms and solar power projects.
2015
BASF Ultramid® Polymerization Plant operational in Shanghai
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2015: BASF Ultramid® Polymerization Plant operational in Shanghai
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The BASF Ultramid® Polymerization Plant was the first contract awarded in China under the BASF-Fluor Asia Umbrella Partnership agreement announced in July 2011. The Fluor China team achieved mechanical completion of the BASF Ultramid® Polymerization Plant in Shanghai on October 10, 2014, ahead of schedule with no LTI and under budget.
2015
Fluor and COOEC form fabrication joint venture

2015: Fluor and COOEC form fabrication joint venture

Fluor and Offshore Oil Engineering Co., Ltd. (COOEC) agreed to form a fabrication joint venture, COOEC Fluor Heavy Industries Co., Ltd, to provide very large modules for offshore clients in the Asia Pacific region and globally. The Zhuhai Fabrication Yard is a world-class, state-of-the-art facility and is located near Hong Kong in the Zhuhai Gaolan Port Economic Zone. The facility can accommodate fabrication modules weighing more than 50,000 tons.
2015
BASF and Sinopec isononanol (INA) plant completed

2015: BASF and Sinopec isononanol (INA) plant completed

Fluor's Shanghai office assisted a joint venture between BASF and Sinopec with a facility located in Maoming, China. We executed the pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) support, FEED and detailed engineering, procurement and construction management for the plant, which included process units with supporting infrastructure, utilities and offsite facilities for the production of iso-nonanol (INA). The INA plant was one of the first self-performed comprehensive FEED projects to be done in China and also one of the first FEED projects executed entirely by a local Chinese team.
2016
Stora Enso's consumer board mill in Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region begins operations
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2016: Stora Enso's consumer board mill in Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region begins operations
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Fluor provided procurement, project management and construction management services. Phase 1 of the project comprised a 450,000 t/a state-of-the-art board machine, auxiliary facilities, including power plant, fresh water treatment, effluent treatment and necessary infrastructure.
2016
BASF Petronas Integrated Aroma Ingredients Complex reaches mechanical completion
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2016: BASF Petronas Integrated Aroma Ingredients Complex reaches mechanical completion
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In September 2016, Fluor announced mechanical completion of a citral facility and associated infrastructure for BASF PETRONAS Chemicals in Kuantan, Malaysia. The facility produces citral, among other aroma ingredients, to meet the growing demand for citral-based products in the flavor and fragrance industry. The procurement scope was led from Fluor's Shanghai office.
2017
Shaanxi Non-Ferous TianREC Polysilicon Plant completed

2017: Shaanxi Non-Ferous TianREC Polysilicon Plant completed

Fluor supported TianREC with front-end engineering and design, detailed design services and technical support for its new polysilicon plant in Yulin, China. This was the first time that the Fluor Shanghai office led a $1Bn+ project. In addition to the office in Shanghai, work was executed by our offices in California, India and the Philipplines.
2017
COOEC-Fluor completes Wen Chang central platform topside module
2017: COOEC-Fluor completes Wen Chang central platform topside module
The team at COOEC-Fluor’s joint venture fabrication yard in China provided fabrication design, fabrication, pre-commissioning and loadout services for the central platform (CEP) topside for CNOOC Limited’s Wen Chang 9-2 /9-3/10-3 Gas Field Development Project. In June 2017, after a fast-tracked completion, the CEP topside left the fabrication yard on its way to its final location in the South China Sea. The completion of the Wen Chang Project marks the first time that a gas turbine generator was pre-commissioned on LNG on land in China.
2017
BASF Automotive Coatings Plant reaches mechanical completion

2017: BASF Automotive Coatings Plant reaches mechanical completion

Fluor was selected by BASF to provide front-end engineering and design and engineering, procurement and construction management for a new automotive coatings plant in Shanghai. The expanded facility produces innovative and eco-efficient automotive coatings that support the growing automotive industry in China and better serve local car manufacturers.
2018
CNOOC Huizhou 32-5 oilfield topsides modules delivered to the South China Sea

2018: CNOOC Huizhou 32-5 oilfield topsides modules delivered to the South China Sea

The COOEC-Fluor fabrication yard completed fabrication of the topsides, living quarters and drilling modules for the CNOOC Huizhou offshore oil platform project. The modules sailed away on schedule in July 2018, destined for the Huizhou 32-5 oilfield development in the Pearl River Mouth basin of the South China Sea.
2018
Fluor China celebrates its 40th anniversary
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2018: Fluor China celebrates its 40th anniversary
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In 2018, Fluor China celebrates its 40-year anniversary. Fluor began operations in China in 1978 with the establishment of the Beijing office. Today, Shanghai is the location of our Chinese operations center, providing the full array of project execution services. Fluor's projects in China have ranged from chemicals, petrochemicals, refineries, polysilicon, upstream and downstream operations, mining, infrastructure and life sciences.
2019
COOEC-Fluor assembles modules for CNOOC’s Dongfang (DF) 13-2 Gas Fields Development project

2019: COOEC-Fluor assembles modules for CNOOC’s Dongfang (DF) 13-2 Gas Fields Development project

COOEC-Fluor is assembling two offshore modules for CNOOC’s Dongfang (DF) 13-2 Gas Fields Development project. The modules include a new central platform and one wellhead platform, with a total tonnage of 19,100 metric tons. The two platforms will make up a new offshore oil and gas production platform located in the western South China Sea, 132 kilometers west of Dongfang City in China’s Hainan province.
2020s
Fluor supports innovative clients with strong delivery.
2022
INVISTA Nylon 6,6 China ADN Project completed

2022: INVISTA Nylon 6,6 China ADN Project completed

Fluor provided engineering, procurement and construction for a new 400 kilo-ton-per-annum adiponitrile (ADN) plant in Shanghai, China. The plant's products are used in the manufacturing of a variety of goods, including those in the automotive, industrial, apparel and consumer electronics industries.
In 2023, the project won Engineering News-Record's award for Global Best Project in the manufacturing category.
2024
Albemarle China Lithium Hydroxide Battery Material Project completed

2024: Albemarle China Lithium Hydroxide Battery Material Project completed

Fluor’s scope, working collaboratively with two Chinese design institutes, included the engineering/design, procurement and construction management (EPCm) of two, 25,000 tonnes-per-annum trains to produce lithium for the electric vehicle market. The facility produces enough lithium to power more than 1.5 million new electric vehicles annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 100 million tonnes within the battery life cycle.
Engineering News-Record recognized the project as the 2024 Global Best Project in the Power/Industrial category. In 2023, the project was awarded Fluor's global Health, Safety and Environmental Excellence distinction. As of mechanical completion, the project had logged more than 16 million work hours with zero lost-time hours.
The total duration of the EPCm phase of the project was 20 months, achieving records for both Albemarle and Fluor for similar scale projects