Kuwait National Petroleum Corp is preparing
to begin work on the al-Zour refinery, which after it is completed will be the
largest production complex in the Middle East. KNPC has been waiting 10 years
to being building, after being held back by a series of delays derived from
conflicts and political instability in the region.
When the $14.5bn super-refinery begins
production – scheduled for sometime in 2018 – it will be capable of producing
615,000 barrels per day.
Despite the fact that a start on construction
is imminent, the refinery’s managers are yet to select an engineering firm to
carry out the work. Foster Wheeler, Amec, Worley Parsons and Technip of France
are among those that have declared an interest in helping on the project.