Beyond Crude: How Saudi Arabia’s Liquid-to-Chemicals Strategy Accelerates Vision 2030

International Journal of Industrial Engineering

© 2026 by SSRG - IJIE Journal

Volume 13 Issue 1

Year of Publication : 2026

Authors : Turki Abdulrahman M. AlQahtani

10.14445/23499362/IJIE-V13I1P103

How to Cite?

Turki Abdulrahman M. AlQahtani, "Beyond Crude: How Saudi Arabia’s Liquid-to-Chemicals Strategy Accelerates Vision 2030," SSRG International Journal of Industrial Engineering, vol. 13,  no. 1, pp. 27-33, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23499362/IJIE-V13I1P103

Abstract:

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a very ambitious plan to radically reshape the Saudi economy away from being solely dependent on oil into one with a greater focus on industrial and petrochemical growth.[1] At the initial start of the liquid-to chemical strategy, where crude oil is turned right into valuable chemical products like ethylene, polyethylene, and specialty chemicals without going through the usual refining first. The current Liquid-to-chemical is estimated at 1.8 million barrels per day, which is expected to reach 4 million barrels per day by the time Vision 2030 is successful. Research focuses on developing and executing the Liquid-to-chemical strategy in Saudi Arabia through the involvement of foreign partners, full utilization of feedstock, rigorous project control measures, and the IKTVA (In-Kingdom Total Value Add) program for local content development. With case studies of major projects like AMIRAL, SAMREF, and YASREF, the paper shows how a well disciplined project delivery can convert the strategy into working assets. The results show that the key to Liquid-to-chemical lies in having a strong governance structure, getting international partners on board early, being prepared for operations, developing the workforce, and being technologically innovative. Execution of several megaprojects in a coordinated manner is a must as a strategy, capital, and technology alone will not be enough to fulfill Vision 2030 goals. The Liquid-to-chemical case presents how Saudi Arabia, through its natural resources, labor force, and international partnerships, can take the chemical industry as its forte and remain a leading name for a very long time.

Keywords:

Liquid-to-Chemicals, Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia, Petrochemicals, Strategic Partnerships, Project Execution, IKTVA, Local Content.

References:

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