All Measures Will Be Taken to 'Kuwaitize' Oil Sector, Says Minister

A view of Kuwait City, Kuwait. (AFP file photo)
A view of Kuwait City, Kuwait. (AFP file photo)
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All Measures Will Be Taken to 'Kuwaitize' Oil Sector, Says Minister

A view of Kuwait City, Kuwait. (AFP file photo)
A view of Kuwait City, Kuwait. (AFP file photo)

Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil, Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Mohammad Al-Fares, said that "Kuwaitization" as a policy is approved by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and all necessary measures will be taken to "Kuwaitize" the oil sector.

In response to a parliamentary question about the reason for renewing the contracts of non-Kuwaiti engineers in the KPC, he explained that the Kuwaitization procedures for the sector will take place in two phases.

The first phase begins with direct employment. Two thousand Kuwaitis were employed during the past year, reported the state news agency (KUNA).

The second phase is the Kuwaitization of the private sector represented by contractor companies, equivalent to 30 percent of workers in the sector.

Al-Fares stressed the government's interest in appointing engineering graduates at the ministry, whether university students or diploma holders.

The optimum utilization of engineers in water production plants was reviewed, added Al-Fares, pointing out the preparation of an integrated plan to develop the sector and upscale engineers.

He underscored the ministry's commitment to the decision of the Civil Service Council regarding the dismissal of resident workers and their replacement with Kuwaiti engineers and technicians.

Kuwait has a strategic plan to increase the oil output to 3.2 million barrels per day by 2025 and 4 million bpd by 2035 and to maintain this level by 2040.



Saudi Arabia Advances to Become the ‘Silicon Valley’ of Mining

The Saudi Energy Minister reviews data on critical mineral extraction and processing in several countries (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Energy Minister reviews data on critical mineral extraction and processing in several countries (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Advances to Become the ‘Silicon Valley’ of Mining

The Saudi Energy Minister reviews data on critical mineral extraction and processing in several countries (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Energy Minister reviews data on critical mineral extraction and processing in several countries (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is pushing to become a global hub for critical minerals, aiming to be the “Silicon Valley” of mining. At the fourth Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, the kingdom announced new deals, investment plans, and discoveries.
Industry Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef said Saudi Arabia will explore mineral opportunities across 50,000 square kilometers this year. The Kingdom also unveiled a $100 billion mining investment plan, with $20 billion already in advanced stages or under construction.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced that Aramco has identified “promising” lithium concentrations exceeding 400 parts per million in its operational areas, with lithium production in the kingdom expected to begin as early as 2027.
In line with this, Aramco revealed a joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) to explore and produce minerals critical to the energy transition, including extracting lithium from high-concentration deposits.
The latest edition of the Future Minerals Forum brought together over 20,000 participants from 170 countries and featured 250 speakers across more than 70 sessions.
Saudi ministers and international officials highlighted key challenges facing the mining sector, including the need for increased private sector investment, advanced technology, regulatory frameworks, supply chain issues, carbon emissions from production, and a shortage of skilled talent.
In early 2024, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources raised its estimate of the kingdom’s untapped mineral resources from $1.3 trillion to $2.5 trillion, driven by new discoveries.
At last year’s forum, the ministry launched a $182 million mineral exploration incentive program to reduce investment risks, support new commodities, promote green projects, and empower small-scale mining operators.
Additionally, Al-Khorayef launched the Mining Innovation Studio at the Future Mineral Forum 2025.
In his opening remarks, Al-Khorayef stated that the new studio was designed to attract global talent and accelerate cutting-edge technology, in alignment with Riyadh’s vision to become the “Silicon Valley of mining”.
He clarified that the Kingdom is promoting upcoming exploration opportunities across 5,000 square kilometers of mineralized belts in 2025 as it continues its steadfast growth in the mining sector.
Al-Khorayef further noted that the Saudi mining sector is the fastest growing globally, and affirmed that its mineral potential stands at an estimated $2.5 trillion.
He elaborated that the allocation of new exploration sites to tap mineral wealth is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish mining as the third pillar of the Kingdom’s industrial economy.