Saudi Arabia's Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co (PetroRabigh) may delay the start of some units to the first quarter of 2009 and its start-up costs have risen by 3 per cent, it said.

PetroRabigh is a $10 billion joint venture between state oil giant Saudi Aramco and Japan's Sumitomo Chemicals. The two paired up in 2005 to upgrade a 400,000 barrel per day (bpd) oil refinery and add a petrochemical complex.

"The board ... reviewed technical matters which may lead to rescheduling the start of some units at the complex to the first quarter of 2009, with an expected increase in costs worth $300 million," the firm said in a statement posted on the bourse's website. - Reuters