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S-Oil CEO wins top industrial honor
S-Oil CEO Anwar Al-Hejazi, right, poses with Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan after receiving the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of S-Oil
By Ko Dong-hwan
S-Oil CEO Anwar Al-Hejazi received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, the highest industrial honor bestowed by the Korean government, for his contributions to the nation’s economy on Thursday.
Al-Hejazi was recognized for enhancing the competitiveness of Korea’s petrochemical industry and leading its development through the successful execution of the 9.3 trillion won ($6.33 billion) Shaheen Project. The large-scale initiative aims to respond to the global energy transition and strengthen S-Oil’s petrochemical business portfolio for sustainable growth.
Under his leadership, S-Oil completed the TS&D Center at Seoul’s Magok-dong complex in September 2023 to boost research and development in fuel and petrochemical technologies. The company also secured a final investment decision in November 2024 for a 263 billion won gas turbine generator project, designed to reduce carbon emissions and improve operational efficiency.
S-Oil’s continued investment in both traditional and new businesses has significantly contributed to Korea’s economic growth. In August 2024, the firm became the first Korean refiner to supply sustainable aviation fuel for regular commercial flights.
“With this honor and the strong support of the Korean government, S-Oil will strive for the successful delivery of the Shaheen Project to elevate the competitiveness of Korea’s petrochemical industry,” Al-Hejazi said. “We also hope this award will help expand business cooperation between Korea and Saudi Arabia as a strategic bridge for future growth.”
The Shaheen Project, the largest petrochemical initiative in Korea’s history, will build one of the world’s biggest fuel and petrochemical steam crackers. The project marks the world’s first commercial application of the thermal crude to chemicals process developed by Saudi Aramco, S-Oil’s parent company.
Born in Saudi Arabia, Al-Hejazi earned a degree in chemical engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. After joining Saudi Aramco in 1996, he gained extensive experience in oil and gas facility management and mega-project development before being appointed CEO of S-Oil in May 2023.