KUWAIT, March 22 (KUNA) -- Under the auspices and in presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) held a ceremony Tuesday on the occasion of the complete operation of its biofuel project at Mina Abdullah Refinery.
His Highness the Amir was warmly welcomed to the site by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al-Fares, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Deputy Chairman and CEO Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah and KNPC's CEO Waleed Al-Bader.
The national anthem was played and then His Highness the Amir, accompanied by His Highness the Crown Prince, greenlit the complete operation of the biofuel project. His Highness the Amir then unveiled the memorial plaque before leaving the venue.
Addressing the event, His Highness the Crown Prince, representing His Highness the Amir, highly commended the project as reflecting Kuwait's commitment to fulfilling local needs and international demand for clean fuel, just in compliance with global endeavors to cut air pollutants.
He underlined Kuwait's ambition for attaining a clear-cut development strategy that would promote the country's status in global oil refining industry.
He also pointed out top priorities for creating new jobs for Kuwaiti young people, enabling them to work in their own country's most vital sector.
His Highness the Crown Prince voiced much appreciation to all those sincere Kuwaitis for their great efforts and achievements in carrying out the project.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al-Fares appreciated His Highness the Amir's patronage and attendance of the KNPC's biofuel project completion ceremony, together with His Highness the Crown Prince's presence, as reflecting the commitment of the country's wise political leadership to following up on and supporting national development projects in various domains.
Elaborating, the minister said the clean fuel project is one of the major projects in the history of the Kuwaiti oil sector, which included wide-scale and unprecedented revamp and development at Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries, with a view to producing high-quality oil byproducts that could comply with relevant global criteria and requirements.
He added that the project mirrors Kuwait's endeavor to become an attractive economic hub, and is part of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's strategic goals of making best use of the country's oil resources, given that it would contribute to boosting national earnings, opening new world markets and promoting Kuwait's leading status in global oil industry.
The minister boasted that the significance of the project stems from the fact that the oil sector is the key pillar of Kuwait's national economy, and that's why the state, topped by His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince, attaches much attention to this natural resource and is keen on developing this vital sector.
He noted that to maintain its competitive edge, the Kuwaiti oil sector has always been eager to keep up with the latest developments of this industry and to fulfill its variable requirements by means of using cutting-edge technology and developing human capabilities and skills.
The minister concluded by speaking highly of the oil sector's strategic policies and plans in qualifying and training Kuwaiti young people in efficiently running the country's oil affairs.
KNPC's CEO Waleed Al-Bader expressed pride and pleasure of oil sector's staff that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah patronized and presented the celebration of complete operation of the company's biofuel project at Mina Abdullah Refinery.
Al-Bader also voiced pride and honor for the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in the celebration.
He said this confirms confidence of "our wise leadership in the efficiency of Kuwait's sons and their abilities to made achievements for the sake of their dear homeland".
The KNPC carried out the biofuel project with the aim of keeping pace with the new international environmental standards that produce high-quality oil products to meet needs of the local market and open room for entering new global markets to contribute to boosting Kuwait's status in oil refining level internationally, Al-Bader said.
The production capacity of this vital project is 800,000 barrels per day distributed between Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries, and this quantity will be added to about 600,000 barrels per day, which is the expected production amount of Al-Zour Refinery after its operation.
The quantities of refined crude oil will witness a significant increase to reach 1.4 million barrels per day for the three refineries, Al-Bader made clear.
This raises operational efficiency and developing transformational capabilities, in addition to optimal exploitation, and achieving the best value and the highest possible return for hydrocarbon resources, he stated The biofuel project has contributed so far to creating about 800 job opportunities to qualified national workers, he revealed.
The KNPC's staff faced several challenges during the establishment phases of the project and managed to overcome them, thanks to Allah, their cooperation, efficiency and concerted efforts, Al-Bader noted.
By operating the project, Kuwait has made a big progress on the roadmap of the global refining industry, placing Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries in the global refineries' list, he said. With the efforts of Kuwait's sons, the KNPC has recently operated the fifth liquefied gas pipeline at Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, with a daily capacity of 805 million cubic feet of gas and 106,000 barrels per day of condensate, he elaborated.
It is the second important biofuel project of the KNPC that was carried out in line with the company's plan and strategic goals, he pointed out.
The company has also carried out and operated the project of building a new acid gas treatment unit at Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery, which one of the vital and environmentally important projects, he said.
It aims to reduce gas emissions to less than 1 percent, and decreases pollution and preserves the environment.
The ceremony featured Sheikhs, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Acting Speaker of National Assembly Ahmad Al-Shehoumi, and senior State officials.
Representative of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah made an inspecting tour to the project and was briefed on vital facilities. (end) afh.fh.hm