KBR and Petro Rabigh sign long-term contract to enhance polymer plant maintenance using digital technologies, improving reliability, safety, and cost efficiency.
KBR and Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Company (Petro Rabigh) have entered into a long-term strategic agreement aimed at strengthening operational performance and maintenance efficiency at polymer production facilities in Saudi Arabia. The newly announced contract spans a period of ten years, with an additional option to extend the partnership by two more years. This agreement specifically covers maintenance services for Petro Rabigh’s Polymer I and Polymer II plants located in Rabigh, a key industrial hub in the Kingdom.
As part of this collaboration, KBR will execute the contract through its regional joint venture entity, KBR Al Yusr. The scope of work includes delivering a fully integrated and digitally advanced maintenance program designed to address a wide spectrum of operational requirements. This program encompasses preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance, along with planned shutdown services that are essential for ensuring the long-term reliability and efficiency of industrial assets.
A defining feature of this agreement is the incorporation of advanced digital tools and technologies. KBR will deploy artificial intelligence and machine learning-enabled solutions to support maintenance operations, allowing for data-driven decision-making and enhanced equipment performance monitoring. These digital accelerators are expected to significantly improve asset reliability, boost plant availability, enhance safety standards, and optimize operational expenditures over time. By leveraging these innovations, both companies aim to create a more resilient and efficient maintenance ecosystem.
This partnership also marks a major step forward in Petro Rabigh’s broader transformation strategy. Notably, it represents the company’s first large-scale initiative to outsource maintenance services. The move is part of a structured approach to modernizing operations and implementing global best practices in asset management. Through this transition, Petro Rabigh seeks to achieve a balance between operational excellence and cost efficiency while maintaining stringent safety and risk management protocols.
The agreement is not merely a service contract but a collaborative effort to drive continuous improvement across maintenance and reliability functions. Both organizations are aligned in their objective to achieve top-tier performance benchmarks within the industry. By combining KBR’s extensive global experience in maintenance services with Petro Rabigh’s strong operational capabilities, the partnership is positioned to deliver measurable and sustainable value.
Leadership from both companies has emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration. Petro Rabigh’s CEO highlighted that outsourcing maintenance is a critical component of the company’s transformation journey, enabling it to focus on core operations while ensuring that maintenance activities are handled with the highest standards of expertise and efficiency. At the same time, KBR’s leadership underscored the synergy created by bringing together advanced technologies, skilled personnel, and proven methodologies to enhance safety, reliability, and overall performance.
Ultimately, this long-term agreement reflects a shared commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. By integrating digital solutions with established maintenance practices, KBR and Petro Rabigh aim to set new benchmarks in the management and performance of polymer production facilities in the region.
