By Erwin Seba
HOUSTON, March 18 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's national oilcompany wants to buy more U.S. refining and chemical plants toexpand its footprint in the world's largest energy market oncethe break-up of its joint venture with Royal Dutch Shell Plc iscomplete, sources said.
Ending an often rocky nearly 20-year relationship, Shell and Saudi Aramco announced on Wednesdayplans to break up Motiva Enterprises LLC after almosttwo decades, dividing its assets and leaving Aramco with oneplant, the nation's largest crude oil refinery, in Port Arthur,Texas.
Officials from Saudi Refining, the downstream arm of Aramco,told employees following the announcement that the state-ownedfirm was intent on buying more assets once the Motiva break-upis finished, according to five people who attended the briefingand asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of theissue.
The officials did not identify possible acquisiton targets,the sources said.
An Aramco representative was not immediately available todiscuss the company's plans. (Editing By Cynthia Osterman)