Kuwait Launches Full Operation of Al-Zour Refinery

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmed al-Sabah (C) participated in the opening of the Al-Zour oil Refinery
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmed al-Sabah (C) participated in the opening of the Al-Zour oil Refinery
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Kuwait Launches Full Operation of Al-Zour Refinery

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmed al-Sabah (C) participated in the opening of the Al-Zour oil Refinery
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmed al-Sabah (C) participated in the opening of the Al-Zour oil Refinery

Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on Wednesday kicked off the official celebration for the full operation of the Al-Zour Refinery.

This refinery ranks among the world’s top ten and accounts for 43.5% of Kuwait’s refining capacity. It comprises three smaller refineries.

Dr. Imad Al-Atiqi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil in Kuwait, described Al-Zour refinery as one of the key projects in Kuwait’s development plans and a cornerstone of the 2040 Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s strategic plan.

Al-Atiqi confirmed that the refinery has a significant role in supplying local power stations with clean fuel to meet the increasing demand for electricity due to population growth in the country.

He also explained that the pioneering project embodied the transformation of the developmental vision of “New Kuwait 2035.”

The project provided job opportunities for national labor, with approximately 1,400 recent graduates employed to participate in this monumental national industry, he added.

Al-Atiqi announced that with Al-Zour inauguration, they successfully achieved an extraordinary refining capacity exceeding two million barrels per day, distributed across six oil refineries, three of which located in Kuwait: Mina Abdullah, Mina Al-Ahmadi, and Al-Zour, collectively producing 1.415 million barrels per day.

The other three refineries are located outside Kuwait: Al-Duqm in Oman, Nghi Son in Vietnam, and Milazzo in Italy, with Kuwait’s share of their total production reaching approximately 600,000 barrels per day.

Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) Acting CEO Eng. Wadha Al-Khateeb said the inauguration of Al-Zour Refinery was an accomplishment added to the Clean Fuel Project at Al-Ahmadi and Abdullah Ports Refineries, launched in March 2022, which was “a milestone in history of oil and gas industry in our beloved nation, particularly refining industry.”

Al-Zour Refinery will have a production capacity of 615,000 barrels per day, she said, a strong push for Kuwait oil refining in line with international environmental standards, which would also enable KPC and its affiliate companies to expand the export and marketing of their products.

She said Al-Zour Refinery was capable of receiving all kinds of oils and could produce high-quality products like fuel oil, diesel, naphtha and low-sulfur fuel oil.

These products, added Al-Khateeb, could be exported to more than 30 countries in the region and around the world through a pier attached to the refinery.

Al-Zour Refinery also includes the largest complex for sulfur cracking units, said Al-Khateeb.

She said the new refinery would boost the State of Kuwait’s refining capacity from 800,000 bpd to 1.415 million bpd.

Al-Zour Refinery, she went on, would also use treated water for industrial and irrigation purposes. It includes stations to monitor air quality and uses special boilers to reduce emissions.

She said the oil sector was keen on contributing to facing climate change to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.



Saudi Arabia Unveils Pavilion at International Defense Exhibition and Conference in UAE

The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)
The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Unveils Pavilion at International Defense Exhibition and Conference in UAE

The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)
The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)

The activities of the Saudi pavilion, organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), kicked off on Monday at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference "IDEX 2025" in Abu Dhabi. This event is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

Governor of GAMI Eng. Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali participated in the launch, in the presence of Lt.-Gen. Mohammad Bin Abdulrahman bin Hamed Al-Gharibi, Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Angari, Saudi ambassador to the UAE, and a number of officials, international investors and decision-makers in the sector.

Al-Ohali emphasized the significance of the Kingdom's participation in IDEX 2025 as a leading global platform for showcasing the latest military technologies.

He underscored the importance of establishing international partnerships that enhance the Kingdom's defense and security capabilities.

The Saudi pavilion serves as a strategic window that reaffirms the Kingdom's commitment to developing its defense sector and strengthening national competencies, contributing to the ambitious goal of localizing over 50% of military spending by 2030, he added.

During the exhibition, GAMI signed a cooperation agreement in the field of government quality assurance with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in South Korea.

The agreement aims to boost the assurance and reliability of defense products and services carried out under purchasing and acquisition operations, in accordance with the local laws and regulations of both sides.

The agreement reflects the mutual desire of both parties to deepen joint cooperation in the field of defense industry and technology, in a way that achieves the national interests of both countries. The two parties also intend to expand the scope of cooperation by exchanging experiences and best practices in the field of government quality assurance for defense products and services.

The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

It is presenting the latest locally developed defense technologies across military, defense, and security industries. It features a variety of military products aimed at highlighting the capabilities of the defense and military sectors. Additionally, it presents investors with a conducive investment environment and the promising opportunities available in the sector.

In addition to GAMI and the General Authority for Defense Development (GADD), the pavilion includes the World Defense Show (WDS), along with several national companies operating in the military industries sector. The companies include the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the National Company for Mechanical Systems (NCMS), the Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC), the Saudi Chemical Company Holding (SCCH), AlKorayef Group, Life Shield Military Industries (LIFE SHIELD), Emaan International, QUDRA Industrial Company, and the Saudi Company for Aircraft Maintenance and Preparation (GDC).