The Phase 2 refining-petrochemical integration project at the Gulei petrochemical base in Zhangzhou, Fujian province, China, has confirmed the winning bidder for its site foundation treatment standard EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) package, it was reported on August 10, 2026. The project is being developed by a joint venture of Sinopec, Fujian Petrochemical and Saudi Aramco, with the contract awarded to Beijing Yanhua Tianzheng Construction Engineering at a tax-inclusive bid price of RMB 25.477 million, according to the report.
The Gulei Phase 2 project is a large-scale petrochemical complex expansion involving a new 1-million-tonne-per-year ethylene cracker and nine associated chemical processing units, it is reported. The awarded contract covers standard site foundation treatment work ahead of the main plant construction, representing a preparatory stage before the start of the main works, according to the report. The neighboring Sinopec-affiliated joint venture’s 1.5-million-tonne-per-year ethylene unit is targeting commercial startup by the end of August 2026, suggesting the broader Gulei base is coming online in stages, the report notes. The specific process technology or licensor for the project has not been disclosed.
The Gulei refining-petrochemical integration Phase 2 project is reported to carry a total investment of RMB 71.1 billion (approximately $10 billion), comprising a 1-million-tonne-per-year ethylene cracker and nine chemical processing units. The awarded site foundation treatment EPC contract was valued at RMB 25.477 million, tax included. The award was reported on August 10, 2026.
The Gulei petrochemical base is a large refining-petrochemical complex jointly invested in by Sinopec and Saudi Aramco, aimed at expanding petrochemical production capacity in southeastern China, according to the report. Combined with the commercial startup of the neighboring joint venture facility, the base’s overall production capacity is said to be expanding in stages.
The phased completion and startup of a large overseas joint-venture refining-petrochemical complex involving a Saudi state oil company could influence the regional supply structure for ethylene and petrochemical products in Asia, with related EPC and equipment contract opportunities likely to open sequentially as the project progresses.
Key points to watch include the timing of the main EPC award for the ethylene cracker and the nine chemical processing units, as well as the overall completion and startup schedule.