Navigating the Aramco Vendor Approval Process: Lessons from the 2021 Registration Framework
Issuance of the formal approval letter linked to specific 9COM codes. Strategic Implications for Global Energy Suppliers
"Approval guarantees contracts." Fact: No. It allows you to bid. In 2021, only 12% of approved vendors won a contract. The rest waited for 2+ years.
Launched to baseline local content, the IKTVA program became a mandatory metric for vendor evaluation by 2021. Companies are measured on their commitment to localizing goods and services, employing Saudi nationals, developing local suppliers, and investing in regional research and development. A higher IKTVA score directly influences a vendor's competitiveness during the commercial bidding phase. B. Technical and Quality Evaluation (9COM / 9CST)
All registrations begin online via the (SAP Ariba). You will need to create a profile and submit basic corporate documentation, including: Commercial Registration (CR) Certificate. Chamber of Commerce Membership Certificate. aramco approved 2021
: Aramco approved a significant $12.4 billion infrastructure deal involving a 25-year lease and leaseback agreement for its stabilized crude oil pipeline network.
: The company expected 2021 capital expenditures to be approximately $35 billion , a reduction from its original guidance of $40–$45 billion to maintain financial discipline.
Gaining approval provides access to one of the world's largest oil and gas markets, with Aramco spending an estimated $40 billion annually in capital expenditures. It also provides a powerful trust signal, boosting credibility with other major clients like SABIC and ADNOC, and often leads to long-term contracts and stable revenue streams.
Saudi Arabia and beyond, obtaining this approval in 2021 opened doors to some of the world's most lucrative energy and infrastructure projects. The Impact of 2021 Approvals Navigating the Aramco Vendor Approval Process: Lessons from
Suppliers looking to enter the Aramco vendor list must prepare extensive documentation, ensuring all company data matches their SAP Ariba profile: Document Type Specific Requirement Current and matching the SAP Ariba profile exactly. ISO 9001 Certificate
: For the 2021 fiscal year, full-scope audits were approved and performed for significant components in locations including Dhahran , Riyadh , the United States , and South Korea . Vendor & Technical Approval Standards
Culminating the year’s activities, January 2022 (often reflecting 2021 decisions) saw Aramco sign 50 new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the IKTVA Forum. These agreements, signed with global leaders like , represented a massive push to redirect supply chain spending into the local economy.
Are you registering as a or an international vendor ? In 2021, only 12% of approved vendors won a contract
Before diving into the specifics of 2021, it’s crucial to understand the weight of this designation. Saudi Aramco is not just the world’s largest oil company; it is a global authority on industrial standards. An "Aramco approved" status is a certification that a manufacturer or supplier's products—whether pipes, valves, or specialized equipment—have passed the company’s exhaustive testing for quality, safety, and reliability.
: Personnel such as "Work Permit Receivers" must be certified via a specific training service request (TSR) and a formal exam. For Manufacturers and Vendors
Being "Aramco approved 2021" means your company survived a stress test of financial solvency, technical capability, and local value contribution at a time when Aramco was pivoting toward Vision 2030.
I am delighted to share that I have successfully completed the necessary evaluations and my profile is now .
Conversely, several international firms were removed from the list in 2021 for failing to update their supplier registration with new insurance requirements (Daman insurance for employees).
Last Updated on November 25, 2025 by Fei Wu