KNPC Marks 65 Years As A Pillar Of Regional Refining

(Report) KUWAIT, Dec 27 (KUNA) -- Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) marked its 65th anniversary in October, celebrating a distinguished journey reflecting its pivotal role in refining, sustained support for the national economy, and contributions to strengthening Kuwaitآ's position in global energy markets.
Since its establishment as the first fully national oil company in Kuwait and the Gulf, KNPC has pursued continuous development, adhered to international standards, and implemented strategic projects that modernized production, enhanced efficiency, and reinforced environmental and social responsibility.
KNPCآ's origins date to October 1960, following Amiri Decree No. 9 issued during the reign of the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, establishing the company with capital of 100 million Indian rupees upon an initiative by Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
This milestone marked a transformative phase in Kuwaitآ's oil industry, as KNPC initially engaged in drilling, exploration, production, marketing, and transportation, before gradually focusing its activities on crude oil refining and petroleum product marketing.
In 1975, KNPC became fully state-owned under government policy to regain control of national oil resources, followed by the establishment of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) in 1980, restructuring the sector and defining KNPCآ's specialized refining role.
Over subsequent decades, KNPC expanded through major development projects, adopting advanced technologies, increasing production capacity, and implementing large-scale conversion initiatives that enhanced product quality and ensured compliance with stringent global environmental standards.
Beyond its industrial role, KNPC has contributed to national development through corporate social responsibility programs, environmental initiatives, and sustained investment in human capital to prepare skilled Kuwaiti professionals for a strategic sector underpinning the national economy.
Refining and gas manufacturing form KNPCآ's operational core, serving domestic demand and strengthening global presence, with operations centered on Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery and Mina Abdullah Refinery, achieving a combined refining capacity of 800,000 barrels per day.
Gas manufacturing represents another pillar through the Mina Al-Ahmadi Gas Liquefaction Plant, operational since 1979, comprising five production trains with a combined capacity of 3.125 billion standard cubic feet daily, making it a leading regional gas facility.
Among KNPCآ's landmark achievements is the Clean Fuels Project, commissioned on March 22, 2022, ushering in a new refining era through construction of 76 new units and modernization of 30 units at Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries.
KNPC also commissioned the fifth liquefied petroleum gas line, boosting clean energy supplies for the local market, increasing gas processing capacity by about 30 percent, and supporting environmentally compliant exports meeting stringent international standards.
A historic milestone was achieved on May 29, 2024, with full operation of Al-Zour Refinery, located 90 kilometers south of Kuwait City, with capacity of 615,000 barrels per day, ranking among the worldآ's largest refineries.
As part of sector restructuring, KNPC assumed full ownership and operation of liquefied gas cylinder filling plants in Shuaiba and Umm Al-Aish in August 2025, consolidating assets, operations, and workforce under a unified efficiency-driven framework.
Entering its 65th year, KNPC builds on a rich legacy and forward-looking vision aimed at generating added value for Kuwaitآ's economy and reinforcing its standing as a cornerstone of regional and global refining industries. (end) km

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