Kuwait Refining Capacity Set to Increase 77% as Mina Al Zour Refinery Nears Full Throughput

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Despite a fire on July 2, the 615,000 barrel-per-day (BBL/d) Mina Al Zour Refinery is nearing full commercial operations, increasing Kuwait's refining capacity by 77%.

The refinery is owned by Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC), a subsidiary of Kuwait's national oil company, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) (Al Shuwaikh, Al Asimah, Kuwait). With the Mina Al Zour Refinery reaching full operations, Kuwait's refining capacity will top 1.4 million BBL/d.

The refinery consists of three 205,000-BBL/d crude blocks, along with secondary and support units, which will consume Kuwait Heavy Crude (KHC), Kuwait Export Crude (KEC), Eocene, or Lower Fars crude.

KIPIC's 205,000-BBL/d CDU 3 has begun producing on-spec products and is expected to reach commercial operations this month. Previously, the 205,000-BBL/d CDU 1 and 205,000-BBL/d CDU 2 started full commercial operations in November 2022 and March 2023, respectively.

"The three-train configuration, which can switch feedstocks based on economics, gives Al Zour competitive edge, reducing operational and price risk," said Industrial Info's Hillary Stevenson, senior director, energy market intelligence.

The final stage has approached after a series of setbacks, including a fire on July 2 at the refinery's Crude Block 2. KIPIC put out the fire in a few hours and all units resumed full operations except the Atmospheric Residue Desulfurization unit (ARDS 2), which was operating at 80% capacity.

Previously, a hydrogen supply issue shut Crude Block 1 and Crude Block 2 on April 5, 2023. Crude Block 1 was restarted in late-April with Crude Block 2 resuming in mid-May.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Petroleum Refinery project and plant databases can click here for a list of detailed project reports on the Mina Al Zour refinery and click here for the related plant profile.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).