Middle East Timeline
Building a Better World in the Middle East
Since our first project in 1947, Fluor has maintained a continuous presence in the Middle East, executing projects in Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. We currently have three offices in the area, including a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
The success of Fluor's megaprojects in the Middle East has been due primarily to teams of knowledgeable and experienced project leaders providing direction to skilled, multi-disciplined project groups.
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.
1930s
Fluor expands oil and gas operations beyond California, as far as the Persian Gulf.
1933
First overseas contract in Persian Gulf
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1933: First overseas contract in Persian Gulf
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Fluor secures its first overseas contract for work in the Persian Gulf, building cooling towers at a refinery under construction at Bahrain Island.
1940s
Fluor takes on first major project in Saudi Arabia.
1947
First major overseas project
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1947: First major overseas project
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Fluor takes on major expansion of Aramco facilities in Saudi Arabia.
1950s
Fluor establishes Middle East headquarters in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
1952
Fluor subsidiary, Fluor Middle-East, S.A., commences operations with the Arabian American Oil Company
1952: Fluor subsidiary, Fluor Middle-East, S.A., commences operations with the Arabian American Oil Company
In 1952, Fluor announced the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary to be known as Fluor Middle-East, S.A.. The field operating headquarters were in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
1960s
Fluor expands Middle East operations and completes project in Kuwait.
1965
First all-hydrogen refinery
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1965: First all-hydrogen refinery
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Fluor engineers and constructs the world's first all-hydrogen refinery (95,000 barrels per day) in Kuwait for Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation. It is the world's largest hydrogen plant and the first large commercial H-Oil unit.
1967
Fluor goes offshore
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1967: Fluor goes offshore
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Fluor diversifies into offshore drilling and construction business, eventually creating Fluor Drilling Services (later Fluor Offshore Solutions).
1970s
Fluor begins executing mega-projects for clients in the Middle East.
1972
Engineering for El Morgan Waterflood starts
1972: Engineering for El Morgan Waterflood starts
The El Morgan Waterflood included facilities for processing transporting and injecting treated sea water directly into wells offshore at El Morgan Field. Fluor designed and engineered the facility which also incorporated a manifold platform with fuel gas compression.
1973
Fluor designs and engineers the world's first totally offshore plant
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1973: Fluor designs and engineers the world's first totally offshore plant
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Fluor designed and engineered the world's first totally offshore plant for the recovery, storage and loading of natural gas, liquids for Atlantic Richfield.
1975
Largest contract signed
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1975: Largest contract signed
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Fluor receives its largest contract to date, a project for Aramco valued at over $5 billion, for engineering, procurement and project and construction management assistance for a major part of a gas-gathering treatment and transmission program in Saudi Arabia.
1975
Fluor's first UAE office
1975: Fluor's first UAE office
The Abu Dhabi office, home of Fluor Mideast Limited, was opened in 1975.
1976
Fluor starts work for the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah
1976: Fluor starts work for the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah
The scope of the civil airport included twin parallel concrete runways, taxiways and aprons, two major airport terminals, an additional terminal for Haj pilgrims, a Royal Reception Pavilion, hangers, warehousing, airfreight food services, health and maintenance facilities and a complete infrastructure encompassing desalination plants, potable and chilled water distribution and waste water treatment, sewer and drainage systems, fuel systems, load centers, power distribution, telecommunications, security, road systems, landscaping and nurseries.
1977
Largest gas treating program undertaken
1977: Largest gas treating program undertaken
Fluor provided engineering, procurement, and construction management for the Shedgum Gas Plant, which was part of an overall Saudi Arabian gas program undertaken by Saudi Aramco to utilize natural gases previously considered waste product.
1977
SADAF's grassroots ethylene-based petrochemical complex EPC scope launches
1977: SADAF's grassroots ethylene-based petrochemical complex EPC scope launches
Fluor engineered and constructed Saudi Petrochemical Company's ethylene based grassroots petrochemical complex. The complex included crude industrial ethanol, ethylbenzene, styrene, chlorine and ethylene dichloride units on plot.
1978
Sonatrach Alrar project engineering commences
1978: Sonatrach Alrar project engineering commences
The Sonatrach Alrar Project, engineered and designed by Fluor, includes extensive gas gathering and distribution systems. These pipeline systems, located in remote eastern Algeria, deliver feed gas to the Alrar Gas Treating Plant and distribute products from the plant to the desired destinations.
1979
Expansion of the eight-pile Gulf of Suez facilities
1979: Expansion of the eight-pile Gulf of Suez facilities
Fluor performed design and detailed engineering for gas lift facilities on the existing Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company M-8 facilities.
1980s
Fluor's presence continues to grow in the Middle East, and Fluor completes first major project using modular execution.
1981
GASCO NGL Extraction Plant complete
1981: GASCO NGL Extraction Plant complete
Fluor performed engineering, procurement, and construction management for the Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Limited (GASCO) natural gas liquid (NGL) extraction plants at Bab and Asab in Abu Dhabi.
1982
Fluor completes world's largest oil field modernization for Saudi Aramco's Onshore Gas Gathering system
1982: Fluor completes world's largest oil field modernization for Saudi Aramco's Onshore Gas Gathering system
Saudi Aramco's onshore gas gathering system linked four major producing areas with a terminal support facility. It was the largest oil field modernization and associated gas conservation project in the world. Fluor executed the engineering, procurement, and construction management scope for this project.
1982
Engineering commences for the Ras Fanar Field Development Phase 1
1982: Engineering commences for the Ras Fanar Field Development Phase 1
Fluor provided the engineering, detailed design, materials and equipment procurement assistance, preparation of contracts for construction works, and provision of specialist personnel as required during construction for the Suez Oil Company project.
1984
Al Jubail Petrochemical company produces 260,000 tpy LLDPE at new grassroots plant
1984: Al Jubail Petrochemical company produces 260,000 tpy LLDPE at new grassroots plant
Fluor was responsible for the design, detailed engineering, procurement and construction management of this grassroots state of the art linear low density polyethylene plant, which produces 260,000 tpy. Ethylene feedstock for the polymer plant was supplied by the Saudi Petrochemical Company (SADAF) complex, also constructed by Fluor.
A total of 28 modules were used on the project. Modules were constructed in Korea, and arrived to the site with all structures, equipment, piping and electrical work already installed on a permanent steel base frame.
The project was completed in August 1984, approximately three months ahead of schedule.
1984
Fluor completes sulfur handling terminal for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
1984: Fluor completes sulfur handling terminal for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Fluor acted as the managing contractor for ADNOC's Sulfur Handling Marine Terminal. The terminal received granulated sulfur from the THAMMAMA 'C' 450 MMCFD gas gathering, treatment, and sulphur recovery complex. Fluor carried out engineering, procurement, and construction management services.
1985
Modules successfully installed at SADAF's 500‑acre, major downstream petrochemical complex
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1985: Modules successfully installed at SADAF's 500‑acre, major downstream petrochemical complex
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Fluor served as the managing contractor on a grassroots ethylene-based petrochemical complex for Saudi Arabia Petrochemical Company (SADAF) in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The complex produced ethylene, ethyl-benzene, styrene, ethylene dichloride, chlorine, caustic soda and crude industrial ethanol. It depended in large part on feed streams from the gas-gathering project done by Fluor for the Aramco gas program. The complex, in turn, would provide some of the output to feed Al Jubail Petrochemical Company’s nearly linear low density polyethylene plant, also a Fluor project. Approximately 40% of the complex was completed using modular construction, the largest modular project at the time.
1987
Karachi to Multan products pipeline and terminal completed
1987: Karachi to Multan products pipeline and terminal completed
Fluor acted as the project manager for the Karachi to Multan pipeline and terminals. The pipeline runs parallel to the Indus River for roughly 400 miles. Other portions of the pipeline run through mountains, desert, and flooded areas. One major river was crossed.
1990s
Fluor engineers and constructs major grassroots projects in the region.
1990
Fluor constructs Sheikh Ismail Abudawood compound and girls' school
1990: Fluor constructs Sheikh Ismail Abudawood compound and girls' school
Fluor was the construction manager for Sheikh Ismail Abudawood family compound and the primary school for girls.
1994
Operations begin at National Methanol Company's 700,000 tpy MTBE complex
1994: Operations begin at National Methanol Company's 700,000 tpy MTBE complex
Fluor provided detailed engineering / design and procurement services for the 700,000 tpy MTBE Complex located within the existing National Methanol Company property in Saudi Arabia. The complex consisted of three process units (isomerization, CATOFIN® and MTBE) with associate offsites (flare, storage, port, seawater cooling, boilers and buildings).
1996
Fluor engineers Aromax® Benzene & Cyclohexane Complex
1996: Fluor engineers Aromax® Benzene & Cyclohexane Complex
Fluor was awarded the front-end engineering and program management portion of the entire Aromax project. In addition, Fluor executed the detailed engineering, procurement and construction management for off-plot facilities.
1997
Fluor completes petrochemical grassroots complex located in Shuaiba, Kuwait
1997: Fluor completes petrochemical grassroots complex located in Shuaiba, Kuwait
EQUATE, formerly Kuwait Petrochemical Joint Venture (KPJV), selected Fluor to perform program management. Fluor supervised the overall execution of a grassroots petrochemical complex and prepared the coordination procedures, specifications and plans.
2000s
Fluor establishes office in Qatar and executes major energy & chemicals and infrastructure projects.
2000
American University in Cairo project commences
2000: American University in Cairo project commences
Fluor provided project and construction management services to the American University in Cairo for its new 260-acre campus. Designed as a “City for Learning”, the campus was designed to serve a student population of 7,000.
2001
Yanpet Expansion increases production of ethylene and polypropylene
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2001: Yanpet Expansion increases production of ethylene and polypropylene
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Fluor was the program management contractor for the total project responsible for performing the front-end engineering design (FEED) and the procurement of critical equipment and materials. Fluor provided engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the utilities and offsites, as well as polymer engineering and procurement services. The expansion facilities provide 800,000 tpy ethylene capacity and convert ethylene into 535,000 tpy polyethylene and 410,000 tpy ethylene glycol. In addition, it provides 260,000 tpy of polypropylene.
2003
CETAC RIE in Iraq
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2004
Integrated project management team with TASNEE formed
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2004: Integrated project management team with TASNEE formed
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Fluor, together with TASNEE, formed an integrated project management team that oversaw the entire Ethylene Cracker / PE complex, resulting in contract awards to a consortium of Linde / Samsung in July of 2005 for the cracker project and Tecnimont in January 2006 for the PE projects. These projects were performed onsite at TASNEE's combined Ethylene and Polyethylene project.
2004
United Utilities & Offsites Project is completed
2004: United Utilities & Offsites Project is completed
As the PMC contractor on the United Utilities & Offsites (U&O) project in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, Fluor managed the lump sum turnkey (LSTK) contractors’ work for overall complex scope for the 1,000 KTA ethylene, 575 LTA EO/EG, and 150 KTS linear alpha olefins units, as well as performing the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) for the U&O.
2005
Fluor establishes Doha office.
2005: Fluor establishes Doha office.
Fluor's Doha office has a wealth of practical Middle East and Qatar-specific project experience. Fluor is registered in Qatar under Fluor Mideast Ltd.
2009
New ethylene and derivatives complex, OL2K, complete in Shuaiba, Kuwait
2009: New ethylene and derivatives complex, OL2K, complete in Shuaiba, Kuwait
Fluor began work on the OL2K project in July 2004 by providing overall management consultancy and front-end engineering and design (FEED) work for utilities and infrastructure. The OL2K project was completed in June 2009 with an impeccable safety record. In addition to the overall management consultancy and FEED work, Fluor was awarded the FEED and engineering, procurement and construction management for the seawater cooling towers, polyethylene expansion, expansion of existing utilities and infrastructure and new utilities and infrastructure shared with aromatics. During the five-year project, Fluor introduced innovative solutions to meet many of the unique challenges including assisting our client in the development of a closed circuit seawater cooling system including onsite hyperbolic cooling towers.
2009
Jubail Acetyls Complex sends first commercial shipment of acetic acid to Asia
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2009: Jubail Acetyls Complex sends first commercial shipment of acetic acid to Asia
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Fluor performed engineering, procurement, construction management and precommissioning of the acetic acid (AA), vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) and associated utilities plants for this $1.8 billion project. Fluor also managed the general construction contractor, onsite tankage contractor and other owner’s contractors onsite. The first shipment to Asia was sent in 2009. Subsequently, the first shipment to Europe was sent in 2010.
2010s
Fluor partners with local companies to complete major regional projects.
2010
Berth 6 Loading Facilities finished
2010: Berth 6 Loading Facilities finished
Fluor completed the engineering and design, procurement, and construction on the fast-track project, Berth 6 Loading Facilities in Ras Laffan City, Qatar.
2010
Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company constructs one of the largest petrochemical projects in the world to date
2010: Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company constructs one of the largest petrochemical projects in the world to date
The Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Complex includes a 2 million-tons-per-year ethane / butane cracker, including benzene extraction facilities; a 700,000-tpy polyethylene plant; a polypropylene plant with capacity of at least 350,000 tpy; and a 530,000-tpy ethylene glycol unit. An integrated phenolics plant, including cumene, phenol and Bisphenol-A units, produce feedstock for a 260,000-tpy, high-value polycarbonates plant. Additional amine derivative facilities were installed for the production of methylamines, ethanolamines, ethoxylates and choline chloride. Fluor was responsible for engineering, procurement and construction management of the Utilities and Offsites scope, which comprised approximately 30 percent of the total project.
2012
Fluor's centennial event across six continents
2012: Fluor's centennial event across six continents
Fluor gathered around the world for its 100th anniversary celebration on April 21st, 2012.
2012
Fluor celebrates 30 years of continuous PMC services for the King Abdulaziz University
2012: Fluor celebrates 30 years of continuous PMC services for the King Abdulaziz University
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education hired Fluor to provide project management consulting services to King Abdulaziz University for the execution of various campus projects. Fluor acted as a consultant for more than 30 years.
2014
Super Absorbent Polymer Plant selected as Global Best Project in Manufacturing by ENR
2014: Super Absorbent Polymer Plant selected as Global Best Project in Manufacturing by ENR
SAPCO has a proprietary process to produce super absorbent polymer. They contracted Fluor to build their new production facilities. Fluor was responsible for basic engineering of the plant as well as engineering, procurement and construction of the facilities. In 2014, Fluor's Super Absorbent Polymer project was selected by Engineering News-Record as the Global Best Project in the Manufacturing category.
2014
Shah Gas Development start-up completes
2014: Shah Gas Development start-up completes
The Shah Gas Development project was developed to gather and process very sour gas. The plant design includes some of the world’s largest amine treating and sulfur recovery units.
2015
Fluor JV executes multi-discipline maintenance services contract
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2015: Fluor JV executes multi-discipline maintenance services contract
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Awarded in 2010, Fluor, through its joint venture with QNFS, is providing multi-discipline maintenance services to Qatar Shell at the Pearl gas-to-liquids plant in Ras Laffan, Qatar.
2015
Fluor completes EPCM on Ma'aden Aluminum Automotive Sheet Facility
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2015: Fluor completes EPCM on Ma'aden Aluminum Automotive Sheet Facility
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The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and Alcoa formed a joint venture to execute several projects as part of the Ma’aden Aluminum project. Fluor provided project management consultant services for the overall program, as well as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for the bauxite mine and alumina refinery, basic engineering and engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) for the rolling mill and EPCM services for the automotive sheet facility.
2016
Fluor JV constructs Clean Fuels program in Kuwait
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2016: Fluor JV constructs Clean Fuels program in Kuwait
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A Fluor joint venture was selected in a public tender as the most competitive bidder to design, construct and commission KNPC’s Mina Abdullah Package 2 Clean Fuels project. Fluor began detailed engineering and design in 2014 and started construction in 2015. The MAB2 package facility comprises a world-scale hydrogen plant (steam reformers), sulfur block (SWS, ARU, SRU) and utilities, offsites and non-process buildings. It also covers modifications to the existing Mina Abdullah refinery units.
2017
Ma'aden Umm Wu'al phosphate project begins production of ammonia, merchant-grade acid and fertilizer
2017: Ma'aden Umm Wu'al phosphate project begins production of ammonia, merchant-grade acid and fertilizer
Fluor provided project management consulting services for the development of the Umm Wu'al phosphate project and related facilities. The Umm Wu'al project is one of the largest integrated phosphate fertilizer facilities in the world.
2020s
2020 and beyond.
2020
Fluor joint venture achieves final provisional turnover for KNPC Clean Fuels Project facilities
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2020: Fluor joint venture achieves final provisional turnover for KNPC Clean Fuels Project facilities
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In August 2020, Fluor announced that its joint venture with Daewoo Engineering & Construction and Hyundai Heavy Industries successfully achieved final provisional turnover of the facilities for Kuwait National Petroleum Company’s (KNPC) Mina Abdullah Package 2 (MAB2) Clean Fuels Project in southern Kuwait. This significant milestone marks the completion and successful handover of MAB2 facilities to KNPC.