KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) has officially announced, through its website, that it received two liquefied gas cylinder filling factories in Shuaiba and Umm Al-Aish from Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) — the previous owner of the two factories. This is a confirmation of a report that the newspaper published earlier regarding the official transfer of the assets of the gas cylinder factories, along with all their operations and employees from KOTC to KNPC. KNPC republished the statement of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wadha Al-Khatib to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), in which she announced that the transfer of ownership of the two factories is taking place within the framework of the comprehensive restructuring project for the oil sector led by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).

This project marks the beginning of a new phase of cooperation and integration that will develop the projects and operations of the oil companies and open prospects that will enhance the leading position of Kuwait in the global oil industry. Al-Khatib explained that the transfer of ownership of the two factories includes the transfer of all employees and all of the factories’ assets and operations, including the marketing and distribution of liquefied natural gas in the local market, to be fully owned and directly managed by KNPC.

She commended the role played by KOTC in completing the transfer process smoothly and flexibly, stressing her commitment to overcoming all obstacles to ensure the success of this important step, which adds new responsibilities to KNPC and contributes to expanding the scope of its business. Sources confirmed that the contracts of the employees who will be transferred from KOTC to KNPC as a result of the merger will be signed this week.

They said the CEOs of KNPC and KOTC met with the Petroleum Workers Union, during which they emphasized that the rights and benefits of employees transferred within the oil sector companies will not be affected, given the policy of KPC and its subsidiaries to restructure the oil sector. Sources clarified that the goal of the recent merger is to unify marketing efforts, enhance competitiveness, and mitigate any unexpected risks in gas filling operations. They also highlighted its importance in streamlining operations and reducing expenditures, while unifying maintenance teams.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

Dr. Al-Fajjam

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), represented by Director General Dr. Hassan Al-Fajjam, signed an agreement renewing its cooperation contract with Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), represented by CEO Wadha Al-Khatib, to employ graduates of the Diploma in Refinery Operations program at the College of Technological Studies.

Also present at the contract signing were acting Deputy Director General for Applied Education and Research Dr. Ahmed Al-Hunayan, Dean of the College of Technological Studies Dr. Mohammad Al-Momen, and a number of other officials. The agreement aims to renew coordination between the two parties to provide job opportunities for graduates of the Diploma in Refinery Operations program at various facilities of the company, particularly the vital refinery sites, such as Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries. This agreement is part of the cooperation between the two parties, and KNPC’s commitment to support qualified Kuwaiti youths and enhance Kuwaitization efforts in the oil sector.

Al-Fajjam affirmed that PAAET is moving forward in developing its academic programs, students, and graduates to fully cover the needs of the Kuwaiti labor market. He explained that the renewal of the cooperation agreement demonstrates confidence in the ability of PAAET to train and provide national manpower with scientific and professional skills to work in the oil sector through its teaching and training staff.

He said PAAET keeps pace with scientific and practical developments, as well as meeting the manpower needs of the public and private sectors. He praised the distinguished role and support of the company’s CEO and team in renewing the agreement, the company’s investment in Kuwaiti youths, and the continuation of this partnership, which is a successful model of integration between the government, educational institutions, and the oil sector.

By Abdulrahman Al-Shammari
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, July 31: Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) has obtained approval to build 16 fuel stations this year, say sources from the oil sector. Sources disclosed that the stations will be located in new residential cities, while some densely populated residential areas will have additional fuel stations.

Sources said the company aims to increase its sales of all types of gasoline to at least seven million liters by 2030, considering that its sales exceeded 5.105 million liters of gasoline by the end of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025; compared to 5.016 million liters in the previous year and around 4.891 million liters in 2023. Sources confirmed that the company is targeting increased revenues from car wash stations, whose revenues declined in fiscal 2024/2025 to KD393,300 compared to KD432,000 in the previous fiscal year. Sources indicated that KNPC is planning to develop its car wash stations to achieve the targeted returns. Sources stated that KNPC will establish new fuel stations in line with environmental cleanliness and international requirements, particularly the strategy of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) to achieve carbon neutrality. Sources added the company intends to implement many initiatives related to its projects and refineries in order to reduce carbon emissions.

Moreover, sources confirmed that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KNPC Wadha Al-Khatib ensured that around 120 Kuwaiti employees under contractor contracts were treated fairly as their salaries, which exceeded the top of the grade scale, were not affected. Sources said these employees remain entitled to promotions and job placements under the regulations. Sources added that the Kuwaitis employed at Al-Dar Company, which implements service projects for KNPC, will soon receive their end-of-service benefits.

Sources also stated that the executive management of KNPC prioritizes nationals, such that it periodically announces job advertisements to increase the percentage of nationals working in the company to compensate for the decline in 2025. They revealed that in the first quarter of this year, the number of Kuwaiti workers reached 5,864; compared to about 6,007 during the same period in 2024. The percentage of national workers in KNPC stands at 92.4 percent, which, sources stressed, is a good percentage. They went on to say that Al-Khatib’s recent instructions to the leadership of the company center on the need to increase the national human capital and develop their functional capabilities. They added that KNPC organized many training courses for the national workforce in cooperation with local and international institutions.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff