Saudi Arabia to Expand Petrochemical Production, Energy Minister Says

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (Reuters)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia to Expand Petrochemical Production, Energy Minister Says

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (Reuters)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia is moving to expand the production of petrochemicals based on Chinese techniques for converting crude oil into petrochemicals, announced Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Wednesday.

Speaking at the third forum of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for International Cooperation in Beijing, the Minister said that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated its impact on the global economy and on the supply and value chains.

It also showed the importance of complementary work between nations and the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of the approaches adopted by China and Saudi Arabia through the BRI and Vision 2030.

Prince Abdulaziz explained that 2022 witnessed the conclusion of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with China, and the alignment plan between Vision 2030 and the BRI to enhance cooperation and interconnection.

The Kingdom is a significant and reliable oil exporter to China, said the Minister, adding that Saudi Arabia is keen to maintain and enhance this relationship by boosting strategic ties.

Prince Abdulaziz explained that Riyadh and Beijing seek to enhance their cooperation in developing and sustaining supply chains and enabling companies to benefit from current and future infrastructure.

He explained that these efforts further bolster cooperation in several areas, such as the circular carbon economy and its technologies, which can effectively contribute to China’s aspirations to make the BRI a green initiative.

Saudi Arabia is determined to become one of the most important exporters of renewable energy and clean hydrogen to support the diversification of energy sources.

He pointed out that Saudi Arabia aims to become a global logistics center, recalling that by 2030, the Kingdom will have approximately 60 logistics regions to meet the needs of the worldwide supply chain.



Kuwait's KPC CEO Says Oil Production Capacity Exceeds 3 Million Bpd 

A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
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Kuwait's KPC CEO Says Oil Production Capacity Exceeds 3 Million Bpd 

A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)

Kuwait's oil production capacity now exceeds 3 million barrels per day, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) CEO Sheikh Nawaf Saud al-Sabah told reporters on Tuesday.

The country's oil production capacity was at more than 2.8 million bpd in June last year, Ahmad Jaber Al-Eidan, the CEO of KPC subsidiary Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), said at the time.

Kuwait aims to boost its oil output to 4 million bpd by 2035, having previously missed a goal of reaching that level by 2020.

Commenting on US President Donald Trump's views on fossil fuels, Sheikh Nawaf said there is no alternative to oil as a primary source of energy, "neither now nor in the future".

"Perhaps this is what President Trump and officials in the United States have realized, that there must be continued exploration and production of oil, and this is what we reflect here in Kuwait. We know that demand for Kuwaiti oil will increase in the future."

Trump signed a flurry of orders within hours of his inauguration on Monday intended to boost the United States' already record-high oil and gas production.

Al-Eidan said KOC aims to reach "full production" from discovered offshore fields within eight to 10 years.

Of the 4 million bpd of oil production capacity Kuwait is targeting by 2035, 350,000 bpd of capacity is expected to come from an area called the Neutral Zone, jointly operated with Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait last year said it had made a "giant" oil discovery with estimated reserves of 3.2 billion barrels. It said on Monday it had found 800 million medium-density oil barrels and 600 billion standard cubic feet of associated gas offshore.

Sheikh Nawaf said Kuwait has completed engineering studies for the Durra gas field and is proceeding according to a plan agreed with Saudi Arabia.