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Minister of Oil: (Duqm Refinery) reflects the Gulf’s pioneering role in leading the global oil and gas industry

07-02-2024

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Imad Al-Ateeqi, said on Wednesday that the opening of the Duqm Refinery and petrochemical industries reflects the pioneering role played by the Arabian Gulf region in leading the global oil and gas industry. This came in a statement made by Al-Ateeqi to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) during the opening ceremony of the Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Project in the Wilayat of Duqm in the Sultanate of Oman, which was held under the patronage and presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman. He added that the Duqm Refinery Project is a “success story” between the State of Kuwait and the sisterly Sultanate of Oman, expressing his thanks and appreciation to all the workers in the project for their efforts made over the past years towards achieving this vital project. For his part, CEO of Kuwait Petroleum International Company, Shafi Al-Ajmi, said in a similar statement to KUNA that the establishment of the Duqm refinery in the Sultanate of Oman constitutes an “important historical turning point” that contributes to consolidating the growing economic relations between the two brotherly countries. Al-Ajmi stressed the importance of establishing the Duqm Refinery and its role in giving Kuwait and Oman a prominent position and giving them effectiveness in the global oil arena, pointing out that the refinery project receives great attention and care from the governments of the two brotherly countries. He expressed pride in what was achieved through the “model partnership” between Kuwait and the Sultanate of Oman and looked forward to more joint cooperation and bilateral success in the future. Regarding the importance of the geographical location of the Duqm Refinery, he said that it works to facilitate the flow of trade between the Arab Gulf region and the Asian and African markets, describing the investment experience in the Duqm Refinery in partnership with the International Integrated Energy Group (OQ) as “pioneering.” He highly appreciated what the project's workers, both male and female, had accomplished, especially the Kuwaiti cadres consisting of engineers and administrators working in the refinery, praising their efforts that contributed to overcoming the challenges and difficulties faced by the "giant project." He considered that the Duqm refinery is a "huge industrial edifice" that is considered the most modern in the Middle East region, as the construction cost amounted to about nine billion US dollars, and it is owned equally by Kuwait and Oman. Regarding the refinery's refining capacity, Al-Ajmi explained that it refines 230,000 barrels per day of Kuwaiti and Omani crude oil, distributed at a rate of 65 percent of the Kuwaiti crude oil supplied to the refinery in coordination with the global marketing sector of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and 35 percent of the Omani crude oil. He pointed out that the design of the refinery is based on the ability to operate it whenever the need arises to “import all of its needs of Kuwaiti crude oil.” For his part, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing at Kuwait Petroleum International Company, Imad Al-Hadlaq, told KUNA that the technology used in the Duqm Refinery project is considered the latest in the world, indicating that the refinery’s products are of high quality and comply with international environmental specifications and standards. Al-Hadlaq added that the refinery produces environmentally friendly petroleum derivatives, including liquefied petroleum gas and naphtha, which are used as feedstock in petrochemical projects, kerosene - jet fuel, and diesel. In this regard, he pointed out that the refinery, since its operation, has been able to successfully reduce the percentage of greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, while reaching full operation “in record time.” Al-Hadlaq attributed this to the important role played by the Operational Readiness Ensuring team, which ensured a smooth transition from the construction phase to the operation phase by developing plans for 14 work streams, including maintenance, operations, supply, human resources, security and safety. Regarding the date of operation of the refinery, Al-Hadlaq said that it began working gradually at the Duqm refinery since last March, noting that the number of exported shipments has reached 73 shipments so far, “most of which went to the Asian and African markets, and diesel represents 60 percent of the total of these shipments.” In this context, he added that the Kuwaiti cadres accompanied all stages of the project, starting with the design stage, then the construction stage, and ending with the operation stage, noting their experience, which had a great impact on the success of the project’s operation. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect and preserve him, and the official delegation accompanying His Highness arrived in the sisterly Sultanate of Oman yesterday, Tuesday, on a state visit. His Highness, may God protect him and his brother, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq the Great, Sultan of Oman, kindly sponsored and attended the opening ceremony of (Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries) in the Wilayat of Duqm earlier today. The Duqm Refinery is considered a joint project between the International Integrated Energy Group (OQ) and the Kuwait Petroleum International Company. It is located in the Duqm region in the south of the Sultanate of Oman, where it is considered a strategic location to serve global markets. In accordance with its established business strategy, the refinery is committed to achieving excellence in the oil refining sector and supplying high-quality oil products.