DAMMAM: A facility manufacturing steel tubes and pipes for the oil and gas industry, and providing training for young Saudis in production and management, was inaugurated recently at the Dammam Second Industrial City. Tenaris Saudi Arabia Limited, owner of the facility, has already established its plant at the Dammam Industrial City, including a training center that will be operated by Tenaris University. The educational institution will ensure young Saudis are trained and paid at the same time. “This world-class tube manufacturing facility and training center is our commitment to provide the best technology for the national oil and gas industry and at the same time build a strong Saudi workforce, thereby bringing technology and enhancing the development of the Kingdom's human resources,” said Khalid Al-Shoaibi, chairman of Tenaris Saudi Arabia. The facility is a joint venture between General Technology and Systems Company Ltd. (GENTAS), a member of the Shoaibi Group of Companies, and Tenaris Global Services Ltd., a leading global manufacturer and supplier of steel tubes and pipes mainly for the oil and gas industry. Al-Shoaibi said Tenaris Saudi Arabia has already built a partnership with Saudi Aramco by supplying products to the national oil company and at the same time providing training to Saudi Aramco personnel. He said Tenaris has also signed an agreement with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) to enroll university students at its training center, under the supervision of Tenaris University. A number of KFUPM students are currently being trained at the Tenaris training center. Tenaris has also established its presence at the Dhahran Techno Valley, the research and development arm of KFUPM for the private business sector to develop in-house technologies. Paolo Rocca, chairman and chief executive officer of Tenaris, said his company is deeply rooted in people, wherever it operates around the world. It was a privilege for the company to provide training for young Saudis. “In Saudi Arabia, we have established this facility with a strong commitment toward the growth of its human resources,” said Rocca. Tenaris University will not only provide training for Saudis, who will eventually be employed in the company, and the personnel of Saudi Aramco, but also for other companies providing services to the oil sector. The Tenaris Saudi Arabia plant has the capacity to produce annually 35,000 tons of steel pipes in accordance with international and Saudi Aramco standards. Built with an initial investment of $20 million, the plant currently has about 80 employees, 50 percent of them Saudis, according to Al-Shoaibi. When fully operational, around 200 people, mostly Saudis, will be employed.
