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Kuwait Operates Fifth LNG Line at Mina al-Ahmadi Refinery

Part of the fifth liquefied gas pipeline project at Mina al-Ahmadi refinery. (Kuna)
Part of the fifth liquefied gas pipeline project at Mina al-Ahmadi refinery. (Kuna)
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Kuwait Operates Fifth LNG Line at Mina al-Ahmadi Refinery

Part of the fifth liquefied gas pipeline project at Mina al-Ahmadi refinery. (Kuna)
Part of the fifth liquefied gas pipeline project at Mina al-Ahmadi refinery. (Kuna)

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) said Thursday it was operating a fifth liquefied natural gas (LNG) line at Mina al-Ahmadi refinery.

KNPC CEO Waleed al-Bader said the line adds 805 million standard cubic feet (mn ft3) to the company’s capacity and 106,000 barrels of condensates, an increase of about 30%.

The total capacity of the five lines combined will be 3.125bn ft3/day and 332,000 barrels of condensates

This step reflects the company’s goal to expand profitable derivatives that comply with the requirements and environmental standards of global markets.

Gas derivatives are considered the company’s best products in terms of being eco-friendly and very profitable, Bader said, adding that the project provides work opportunities for national cadres.

Chairman of Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery Shujaa al-Ajmi, for his part, said the project works on treating natural gas extracted from oil wells, as well as producing methane, ethane, propane and butane gases and natural gasoline.

He said it includes a secondary unit that produces clean fuel gas, bolstering safety levels.

He pointed out that it was operated successfully despite delays in equipment importing and difficulties in providing specialized technicians due to the pandemic.

Acting chairman Ghanim al-Otaibi said that this large-scale project required, at one point, 6,900 workers on site, and a total of 57 million working hours, ruling out any dangerous accidents as a result of the applied safety measures.

He said the company is keen to incorporate local businesses in the project, as the private sector's share comprised 20% of the total cost, adding that local companies also participated in importing equipment and construction work.

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Attractive Environment Drives Surge in Private Tourism Facilities in Saudi Arabia

Visitors flock to one of the events of “Riyadh Season 2024” (SPA)
Visitors flock to one of the events of “Riyadh Season 2024” (SPA)
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Attractive Environment Drives Surge in Private Tourism Facilities in Saudi Arabia

Visitors flock to one of the events of “Riyadh Season 2024” (SPA)
Visitors flock to one of the events of “Riyadh Season 2024” (SPA)

As Saudi Arabia experiences a surge in visitor numbers, there is a growing need to expand tourism infrastructure to keep up with demand.

In this context, the private facilities sector has emerged as a practical solution, contributing positively to increasing the income of local citizens who own these facilities.

This growth is reflected in the significant rise in the number of licenses granted by the Ministry of Tourism, which saw an increase of 333% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

In January, the Ministry of Tourism announced a new mandate requiring booking platforms and apps to exclude or refrain from listing unlicensed private hospitality facilities.

This move aims to ensure the quality of services provided to both local and international tourists across the Kingdom. The Ministry warned that any platforms violating this directive would face penalties.

This initiative is part of a campaign which seeks to enforce compliance with tourism licensing standards and regulations, ensuring facilities meet the criteria outlined in the Kingdom's Tourism Law and its accompanying regulations.

According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Tourism, the number of licenses issued for private hospitality facilities reached 8,357 last year, compared to 1,929 licenses in 2023.

Under the Kingdom’s Tourism Law, a private hospitality facility is defined as “any furnished and independent property unit, owned by an individual, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, and offering daily accommodation services for a fee.”

Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Al Rasasimah emphasized that the growing number of licenses issued for private hospitality facilities reflects the ministry’s commitment to enabling individual investors in the hospitality sector to obtain the necessary operating licenses.

This initiative aims to enhance the quality of services provided.

He added that these efforts are part of the "Guests Are Our Priority" campaign, which seeks to strengthen compliance with licensing and classification standards and ensure facilities meet the conditions set out in the Tourism Law and its regulations.

Dr. Salem Baajajah, an economic expert and professor at King Abdulaziz University, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the significant growth in hospitality and tourism facilities is a result of the Ministry of Tourism's efforts to attract foreign investors.

He added that this expansion reflects a growing demand from international investors seeking to capitalize on opportunities in Saudi Arabia, aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goal of increasing the number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia.

He further explained that the tourism sector is experiencing notable growth, contributing to higher revenues for local citizens.