Kuwait To Expand Oil Refining Capacity

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) plans to expand its oil refining capacity in next 20 years, the Kuwait News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Bader Al-Sumait, a KNPC director of planning, made the announcement in a seminar organized by the Petroleum Media and Public Relations Department of Kuwaiti Energy Ministry.

To realize the target, the company aims to improve the quality of petroleum products to comply with international standards and develop the oil export facilities, Al-Sumait added.

He noted that the KNPC has also planned to make long term investments to increase the production capacity of its refineries, while building a new refinery with a capacity of 450,000 oil barrels per day in the next five years.

The strategy also includes the implementation of a safety, health and environment system and the compliance with international standards and regulations on emitted pollutants, as well as training of KNPC's employees.

The company also plans to develop a gas supply project that would be used to generate electricity, according to the KNPC official.