RIYADH: Saudi Aramco completed the acquisition of an additional 22.5 percent stake in Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co., known as Petro Rabigh, from Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical Corp. for $702 million.
The acquisition, valued at SR7 ($1.87) per share, raises Aramco’s total ownership to 60 percent and makes it the largest shareholder, while Sumitomo retains 15 percent, the company said in a press release.
The transaction, first announced in August 2024, includes a $1.4 billion capital injection jointly provided by Aramco and Sumitomo to partly prepay Petro Rabigh’s debt and bolster its balance sheet.
The acquisition marks a significant step in Aramco’s ongoing strategy to expand its integrated refining, chemicals, and marketing operations.
Hussain Al-Qahtani, Aramco senior vice president of fuels, said: “Petro Rabigh is a key player in the Kingdom’s downstream sector and this additional investment by Aramco reflects strong belief in its long-term prospects. It also underscores Aramco’s focus on downstream expansion and value creation.”
