KUWAIT CITY, Feb 20: The Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) has initiated the reception and refining of Kuwaiti heavy oil, specifically Eocene and South Ratqa, in the third crude oil distillation unit at Al-Zour Refinery, reports Al-Qabas daily. Operating independently with a capacity of 120 thousand barrels per day, this process is conducted in close collaboration with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s global marketing sector, Kuwait Airways, and Kuwait Oil Company. Abdullah Fahad Al-Ajmi, the official spokesperson for KIPIC, underscored the refinery’s capability to handle heavy oil autonomously across all three distillation units.

This operational flexibility eliminates the necessity of mixing heavy oil with Kuwaiti oil slated for export, aligning seamlessly with the strategic plan outlined by the Global Marketing Sector at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. Al-Ajmi emphasized that this achievement signifies a continuation of Al-Zour Refinery’s endeavors to efficiently refine heavy oils, yielding high-quality products such as low-sulfur diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, and fuel oil. Beyond bolstering Kuwait’s economy, this approach maximizes the value derived from its oil revenues by avoiding selling raw oils on global markets. He lauded the teams' dedication at Al-Zour Refinery for their tireless efforts in achieving this milestone, highlighting the collective expertise and commitment to overcoming challenges inherent in the oil industry. This accomplishment serves to enhance Kuwait’s refining sector, positioning it for sustained success in the global market.