KUWAIT CITY, Oct 20: The Al-Zour Refinery petrochemical complex project is expected to see a major breakthrough in the last quarter of 2025 or early 2026. According to informed sources, the Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) aims to produce approximately 2.35 to 2.40 million tons of aromatics and polypropylene annually from this large-scale project. The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has a strong interest in the project, primarily due to its role in supporting KPC’s 2040 strategy. This strategy includes expanding the petrochemical industry both locally and globally, as well as producing petroleum derivatives that meet international environmental standards.

The project is also in line with Kuwait’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In a related development, KPC’s 2024/2025 report revealed that the company aims, through the Al-Zour Refinery Petrochemical Complex project, to supply the local market with approximately 1.55 million tons of gasoline annually.

This will also help deal with the current shortfall in gasoline supplied by Equate Petrochemical Company to its existing styrene plant. The report explained that the project aims to support the development of both current and future petrochemical industries, in addition to creating job opportunities for Kuwaiti nationals.

The project will be carried out in three main phases. The first involves the construction of gasoline production units. The second includes the development of aromatics and olefins units. The third focuses on building export facilities and ports, along with the implementation of onshore and offshore pipelines. Furthermore, sources stated that KIPIC recently resolved the issue of hard and hazardous work, and the file will be submitted to KPC in the coming days for final approval.

They noted that Wadha Al-Khatib, CEO of Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) and acting CEO of KIPIC, issued directives to resolve the hard and hazardous work concerns, which have been an issue of concern for KIPIC’s oil personnel for the past seven years. The sources highlighted that coordination took place between Al-Khatib, Director of Health, Safety, and Environment Omar Al-Mulhim, Health Team Leader Dr. Waleed Al-Harbi, and all relevant parties.

In addition, the same sources revealed a need to fill 50 vacant positions in the Operations Department of the Al-Zour Refinery. They said Al-Khatib recently took this initiative in cooperation and coordination with Deputy CEO for Administrative and Commercial Affairs Bandar Al-Qahtani and Deputy CEO of the Al- Zour Refinery Fahad Al-Mutairi.

The sources explained that filling these vacancies coincides with ongoing development operations at the Al-Zour Refinery and is necessary to meet the increased refinery capacity. Following the completion of the development of the third phase in mid- 2024, the refinery’s capacity is expected to reach approximately 615,000 barrels per day (bpd), up from fluctuating production levels between 205,000 and 410,000 bpd in 2022 and 2023. They added that the vacancies include ten positions for senior supervisors, five for grade 13 in Area 4, and five for grade 13 in Area 7.

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

Minister of Justice, Nasser Al-Sumait

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 20: Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait issued a ministerial decision to form a committee tasked to prepare a draft decree regulating real estate ownership by investment entities. This is in line with Decree-Law No. 7/2025 amending Decree-Law No. 74/1979, which regulates real estate ownership by non-Kuwaitis. In a press statement on Sunday, Al-Sumait revealed the committee will prepare a draft decree stating the rules governing ownership permits, permitted areas, and restrictions on disposal or mortgage.

The draft will then be submitted to him to ask for the opinion of relevant authorities and complete the legal procedures. Al-Sumait stressed that this step is part of the efforts of the State to develop a legal environment that attracts investment and enhances the balance between encouraging capital and protecting real estate ownership to support the Kuwait 2035 vision.

The committee is chaired by Counselor Ahmed Al-Mutairi, with Hamad Al-Rashidi serving as rapporteur, while the members include the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), Kuwait Municipality and Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW). It is worth mentioning that the amended draft decree grants investment entities licensed by KDIPA the right to own real estate, which is necessary to carry out their activities, manage them, or provide housing for investors and employees, in accordance with the regulations and conditions specified in the new decree.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

AEO Secretary-General Jamal Al-Loughani

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 20: The Arab Energy Organization (AEO) on Monday presented a comprehensive study highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of converting used cooking oil into renewable biofuel, aiming to address current challenges and promote sustainable fuel production.

AEO Secretary-General Jamal Al-Loughani told KUNA that the study examines the entire process, from sources of used cooking oil and its collection and transportation to production centers, to refining and processing steps necessary to produce high-quality, impurity-free biofuel.

AEO study explores converting used cooking oil into renewable energy.

According to the study, approximately 14 billion liters of used cooking oil were collected worldwide in 2022, with expectations this volume could exceed 30 billion liters by 2030. Al-Loughani also noted that global trade in used cooking oil is projected to grow from 3.7 billion gallons in 2022 to between 5 and 10 billion gallons annually by 2030, depending on efforts to stimulate its conversion into sustainable fuels.

The report details recent global advancements in producing biodiesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from used cooking oil. Al-Loughani highlighted projects underway in Arab countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and pointed to growing regional interest in sustainable aviation fuels, driven by goals to reduce carbon emissions, diversify economies, and conserve natural resources.

He cited Qatar Airways’ 2023 test flight using sustainable jet fuel derived from used cooking oil imported from Finland as an example of regional momentum, with more initiatives expected as airlines pursue net-zero emission targets.

Al-Loughani emphasized that investing in converting used cooking oil into biofuel maximizes resource efficiency while serving as a strategic environmental solution to lower greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security. The process also supports national economies by creating new jobs.

The study underscores the critical role of government regulation in standardizing oil collection and setting quality benchmarks for biofuel production to ensure sustainability and safety.