Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • +44 (0)20 7454 5110
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
Return to PR Newswire homepage
  • News
  • Products
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All Public Company News
      • All Multimedia News
      • View All News Releases

      • Regulatory News

      • D/A/CH Regulatory News
      • UK Regulatory News
      • View All Regulatory News

  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads & Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking & Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film & Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers & Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalisation
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls & Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil & Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defence
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking & Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers & Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines & Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics & Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture & Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewellery
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film & Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks & Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels & Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Animal Welfare
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Economic News, Trends & Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • Labour & Union
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Public Safety
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Overview
  • Distribution
  • Paid Placement
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Disclosure Services
  • SocialBoost
  • Rooms
    • MediaRoom
    • ESG Rooms
  • AI Tools
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships
  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PR Newswire UK provides press release distribution, targeting, monitoring, and marketing services
  • Send a Release
    • Phone

    • +44 (0)20 7454 5110 from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT

    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us

      +44 (0)20 7454 5110
      from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT

  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • News in Focus
    • Browse News Releases
    • Regulatory News
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
    • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Overview
  • Distribution
  • Paid Placement
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Disclosure Services
  • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • AI Tools
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists

Middle East Heavy Oil Congress: Q&A With Badria Ali, Deputy CEO (NK), Kuwait Oil Company (KOC)

This image opens in the lightbox

News provided by

Middle East Heavy Oil Congress

03 Apr, 2017, 08:22 GMT

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

KUWAIT CITY, April 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Speaking ahead of the upcoming Middle East Heavy Oil Congress (MEHOC), Kuwait Oil Company Deputy CEO Badria Ali Abdul Rahman offers insight into Kuwait's strategy to boost heavy oil production.  

     (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/485513/Heavy_Oil_Congress_Logo.jpg )

1. Could you briefly give us an update about the Phase I of the Lower Fars Project and when is it expected to be completed? 

As Worley Parsons completed the front-end engineering and design (FEED) for the first phase of the Lower Fars Heavy Oil Development facility project, on Jan 2015 Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has awarded a US$4.1 billion contract to Petrofac to execute the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) activities of the project.

The project encompasses a comprehensive set of production segments, from upstream to downstream. The scope of work covers greenfield and brownfield facilities, and includes engineering, procurement, construction, pre-commissioning, commissioning (EPC), start-up and operations and maintenance work for the main central processing facility (CPF) and associated infrastructure, as well as the production support complex. This includes a pipeline of almost 162 kms which will transport the heavy crude from the CPF to South Tank Farm located in Ahmadi, from where KOC has the option to send it to the future Al-Zour refinery in the south of Kuwait.

The project is currently in the detailed engineering and construction phase and will start commissioning on Aug 2018, while turnover will be on May 2019.

To date, over 1040 wells were drilled of which large volume of data were collected and studies were conducted. The completion campaign of HO phase I project related wells has been commenced in which 930 wells will be completed and equipped by SRP by Jan 2018.

2. Keeping in mind the Kuwait 2040 strategy and the current oil prices, what kind of challenges do you anticipate in the coming 5-10 years?   

As all notice that low oil prices have been a prominent feature of the market; Kuwait Petroleum Corporation with KOC recognize that it is essential to make investments now, as an enabler to ensure a competitive, flexible, and better position for Kuwait in the future.

We are proceeding with plans to enhance Kuwait's role in the oil industry, to be more effective in securing the supply of the world's energy.

Kuwait Oil Company aims to achieve and maintaining a lead position among regional and global national oil companies as one of the top gas and oil exploration and development and be a major supplier of energy.

Accordingly, Kuwait 2040 strategy lays out an ambitious future to explore, develop, and produce oil and gas at a greater scale and complexity than at any time in KOC history. The strategy was developed to ensure that Kuwait will definitely play a role in meeting future energy needs, targeting higher crude oil capacity.

The development of Heavy Oil is an integral part of our strategic vision and plans, of course developing such resources tend to be challenging and expensive relative to many conventional crude oil developments. 

Managing cost, optimizing energy consumption, and creating long-term sustainability are considered some of the major challenges facing KOC today. These are being mitigated by adapting an integrated approach and obtaining technological solutions from top operators and industry leaders.

Another major challenge is to overcome the scarcity of experienced human resources. Significant levels of skilled workforce with expertise in thermal enhanced oil recovery, engineering and construction, and operation and maintenance capabilities, take years to develop, therefore we have the participation of international operators and recognized international services companies, who provide on the job support and competency development to young Kuwaitis in preparation for future projects.

Similar to any international and national company, KOC has recognized the instability of oil price as one of the major challenges. However, KOC's strategies have always helped it to sustain its operations amid a challenging oil market in the past, and will continue to weather the storm of the present oil market as well.  

3. Producing heavy oil is often criticised by environmentalists and also certain sections of the industry considering the damage it does to the environment. In your opinion, what kind of collaborative opportunities to do you see between the renewables and the heavy oil sector that can help minimise this damage? 

Kuwait has adopted an ambitious vision to generate 15 percent of its total energy needs by 2030. Additionally, crude oil's drop in price has highlighted the attractiveness of renewable energy's relative isolation from fuel-price fluctuations. KOC recognizes that alternative energy sources will not only reduce the cost of heavy oil projects, but will also make heavy oil extraction a cleaner process and result in a better environmental outcome. Hence, there are several initiatives that we at the Kuwait Oil Company are considering to apply in order to keep the impact of heavy oil extraction on our ecosystems to a minimum.

One of the initiatives in the framework of heavy oil is the application of solar energy to generate steam and power for thermal enhanced oil recovery operations. KOC is currently developing a scope for a solar pilot project to generate steam to be implemented on KOC HO phase I project.  In this way, we will maximize the synergies already available in the industry, reducing the consumption of fuel in steam plants and other processes.

The ecosystem in the Middle East is very sensitive, and its protection one of our most relevant objectives.

4. Lower Fars is also expected to have a refinery to process the heavy oil that will be explored and produced at the site. Can you shed some light on when this refinery is expected to be completed and how much what is the expected output? 

The project is intended to build a grass root refinery at Al-Zour area, south of Kuwait City with a total capacity of 615,000 barrels per day. Al-Zour Refinery, which will be one of the largest oil refining plant worldwide, will fulfill the downstream strategy of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. In addition to its domestic benefits as the prime supplier of feedstock to the power plants, Al-Zour Refinery will enhance competitiveness of Kuwait petroleum products on the world markets because of its ability to meet the stringent requirements of those markets.

The subject refinery will handle KOC heavy Oil production. In June 2015, KNPC awarded the new refinery project at Al-Zour and it is anticipated to be commissioned by 2019.

5. Lastly, you are a keynote panelist at the Middle East Heavy Oil Congress taking place in the Kingdom of Bahrain from 11-12 April 2017.  Ahead of the event, can you tell us, what can the attendees expect to hear from KOC at the Congress? 

The Middle East Heavy Oil Congress presents a great opportunity for oil and gas professionals to learn more about the dynamic sector of heavy oil, and provides an opportunity to network with experts and professionals from the community. It offers attendees in-depth knowledge and helps them understand the key drivers and risks involved in developing heavy oilfields, especially those in the Middle East region.

KOC will share with the audience its recent progress in the development of Heavy oil, covering KOC's Heavy Oil Production Strategy, as well as targets and progress made on those strategic projects.

Modal title

Contact PR Newswire

  • +44 (0)20 7454 5110
    from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships

Products

  • Content Distribution
  • Multimedia Services
  • Disclosure Services
  • Cision Communications Cloud®

About

  • About PR Newswire
  • About Cision
  • Partnering Opportunities
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
  • APAC
  • APAC - Simplified Chinese
  • APAC - Traditional Chinese
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Czech
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Middle East - Arabic
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United States
  • Vietnam

My Services

  • All News Releases
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Data Privacy

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via Privacy@cision.com 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact PR Newswire

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
+44 (0)20 7454 5110
from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Information Security Policy
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 PR Newswire Europe Limited. All Rights Reserved. A Cision company.