The Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) has announced the start of commercial operations of the first phase at the Al-Zour Refinery project.
The Al Zour Refinery is an oil refinery under construction in Kuwait. It is the largest refinery in the Middle East. The company said that the project will contribute to providing jobs for Kuwaiti citizens.
Acting CEO of KIPIC, Mr. Waleed Al-Bader said in a statement that the operation is an important historic event and considered a mainstay of the country’s development plan.
It provides fuel of high quality and environmental standards to meet the local energy demand, as it limits emissions of gases polluting the environment and improves air quality, the acting CEO added.
Mr. Al-Bader noted that it is a vital outlet for the disposal of heavy Kuwaiti oil, and provides other refined products for export in global markets with standard specifications.
Further, he praised the exceptional role of the national expertise and the Kuwaiti youth, who were qualified according to the highest professional levels in leading and implementing the operations of the Al-Zour refinery.
For his part, Executive Vice President of Al-Zour Refinery, Mr. Khaled Al-Awadhi noted that operating the first phase of the refinery would enhance the growth of the national economy, increase the state’s financial revenues and provide more job opportunities for national cadres.
Mr. Al-Awadhi stated that, “Despite the challenges that the project faced, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, KIPIC fulfilled its commitment to the project’s readiness according to the highest international standards and specifications, meeting all operational needs and observing all environmental requirements.”
In May, KIPIC carried out the trial operation of the first crude oil distillation unit, and refined 2.5 million barrels of crude oil, securing the main stock of oil derivatives that contributed to the smooth operation of the rest of the units.
“The human element is the most important for (KIPEC) in the refinery’s operating plan, so the executive management was keen to provide the best training programs to qualify the workers to be at the highest level of professional competence,” as per Mr. Al-Awadhi.
