KNPC leads regional refining race, surpasses Aramco

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) has solidified its position as the largest oil refining facility in the Middle East following the integration of the Zour Refinery into its operations.

With the Zour Refinery, KNPC's actual daily refining capacity has surged to 1.4136 million barrels, placing it ahead of regional competitors. Saudi Aramco holds the second position, with a combined daily refining capacity exceeding one million barrels from its SATORP and Ras Tanura refineries. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) follows in third place, managing the Ruwais Refining Complex in the UAE with a capacity of over 800,000 barrels per day.

“

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) became the largest oil refining facility in the Middle East after acquiring the Zour Refinery, with its actual daily refining capacity reaching 1.4136 million barrels of oil, hence, securing the leading position in the region.

KNPC has also demonstrated its commitment to meeting evolving international standards. Last year, the company produced 17,500 tons of marine fuel oil that complies with new specifications requiring a sulfur content of 0.5 percent. This was achieved through the implementation of an atmospheric residual desulfurization unit.

“

Saudi Aramco ranked second with a total daily refining capacity exceeding one million barrels.

The company is actively pursuing expansion efforts to increase the refining capacity at its Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries. Recent performance tests have successfully raised the operational capacity of atmospheric residual distillation units at Mina Al-Ahmadi from 50,000 to 55,000 barrels per day. Similarly, at Mina Abdullah Refinery, capacity increases have been approved for several units, including the atmospheric residual desulfurization unit (from 50,000 to 55,000 barrels per day) and the naphtha treatment unit (from 23,500 to 25,800 barrels per day).

Furthermore, KNPC recently completed comprehensive maintenance of the clean fuels units at the Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery. This major operation, involving approximately 1,500 pieces of equipment and 4,500 specialized workers, was executed without any accidents, underscoring the company's strict adherence to health, safety, and environmental standards. The company also implemented performance upgrades and efficiency enhancements.

“

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is in third place through its management of the Ruwais Refining Complex in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- the largest refining complex in the country, with a capacity exceeding 800,000 barrels per day.