The town of Al-Jubail on the Persian Gulf coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ancient roots. Human habitation dates back at least 7,000 years when the people of Dilmun—whose civilization radiated up and down the Persian Gulf—established a settlement there. The first human settler might have been encouraged to stay by the site’s fine natural harbour and the abundance of fish and pearl oysters. More importantly, the presence of potable water wells near the town ensured the continued viability of human settlement.
In September 1933, Jubail gained a measure of fame as the landing site for the first team of geologists to explore for oil in Saudi Arabia.
Bechtel began work on the Jubail Industrial City project more than 30 years ago and is still working in Jubail now. It also stands as one of the greatest achievements of Bechtel, its employees, and families who worked and lived there. Bechtel has managed the Jubail project since it began in the mid-1970s, and in 2004, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu asked the company to manage Jubail II, a $3.8 billion expansion of the city’s industrial and residential areas.
Jubail is a complete city, with all the industry, infrastructure, housing, shopping, educational and medical facilities required to support its present population of around 150,000 people. Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company (SABCO) performs ongoing engineering, procurement and construction management. Jubail II will add a second industrial area to house up to 22 new primary industries. The project calls for the expansion of King Fahd Industrial Port, pipeline refurbishment, increasing capacity of the cooling system, and new desalination plants
