Kuwait
National Petroleum Company (KNPC) was the first national company in the
region having its Hydrocarbon resources managed and exploited
by foreign companies. The Company’s vision was stimulating development and
providing an exemplary experience in handling national resources. In its
perspective, KNPC came as a model for the indigenous potential to undertake
management and exploitation of the oil resources, which started to develop into
a colossal source of income capable of sustaining the society welfare and
financing its overall development .
The Kuwait National Petroleum
Company (KNPC) is the national oil refining company of Kuwait. Established in
October 1960, KNPC handles the responsibility of oil
refining, gas liquefaction, and distribution of petroleum goods within the local
market. KNPC is also handling CFP (Clean Fuel project).
In 1975, the State of Kuwait acquired full ownership of KNPC. It’s operations
were highly integrated mainly relying upon its oil refinery in Shuaiba and the
marketing of petroleum products from Al-Ahmadi Refinery, in both local and
international markets.
In 1980, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) was established as the State owned
asset and all other oil companies in Kuwait, including KNPC, became KPC
subsidiaries. Currently, KNPC has two state-of-the-art Refineries, namely Mina
Abdullah Refinery (MAB) and Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery (MAA). Shuaiba Refinery was
shut down in March 2017 after the kick-off of the Clean Fuels Project (CFP).
The total production capacity of both Refineries is 736,000 bpd of crude oil,
and a gas processing capacity of 2.5 billion scfpd.
MAB and MAA host advanced refining technologies, following the revamping of the
two Refineries in the 1980s. Among the most important units at MAB Refinery are
two CDUs, four Hydrogen production units, two ARD units, a Vacuum Distillation
unit, two delayed Coker units, a Hydrocracking unit. The MAA Refinery now hosts
four Trains of ARDS units, a VGO Hydrocracker and an FCCU, besides a host of
Hydrogen production and Hydrogen Recovery units, Distillate Hydrotreaters,
Sulphur recovery units and consolidated Sulphur granulation and storage
facilities.
On the domestic scene, KNPC is responsible for the sale and distribution of all
petroleum products in the local market. KPC and KNPC put into effect the trend
towards privatization and started in 2004 to transfer its Local Marketing
assets, such as the lube oil plant and the petrol stations, to private
companies.
KNPC has 43 filling stations all over Kuwait. A 5-year plan to build another
100 stations is already underway to respond to the growing demand for gasoline
and other fuels.
Currently, KNPC is carrying out several major projects that aim to expand its
refining capacity and enhance conversion capabilities, most importantly is the
Clean Fuel Project (CFP). After the completion of the CFP in early 2019, KNPC
refining capacity will be 800,000 bpd. With the high-quality low-sulfur (Euro-4
& Euro-5 grades) products, KNPC seeks to penetrate new markets. Gas Train-5
is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, whereby KNPC gas processing
capacity will then reach 3.25 billion scfpd.
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