Honeywell to automate, provide FEED work on new mega-refinery in Kuwait

Honeywell was selected Tuesday by Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) to provide its integrated control and safety system (ICSS) for its new 615,000 bpd Al Zour refinery complex to be built in southern Kuwait. 

Honeywell will also provide the front-end engineering design (FEED) for the system.

This will be Kuwait’s fourth refinery and the largest refinery in the entire Middle East. By comparison, the total capacity of Kuwait’s three current refineries is 930,000 bpd. 

The new Al Zour refinery is targeted for start-up in 2018.

“With this new refinery, Kuwait will become one of the largest producers of clean fuels in the Middle East,” said James King, Honeywell general manager for Kuwait. “Honeywell’s suite of proven technologies for the refining industry is well suited to support a quick and safe refinery start up, and efficient operations. We are pleased to have been selected for this important project.”

Honeywell has provided technologies to KNPC’s refineries for about 30 years through its process solutions (HPS) business and has long-sustained a presence in Kuwait. As the main automation contractor for the new Al Zour refinery, Honeywell will supply its Experion PKS as the main control system for the refinery complex, as well as integrate all process automation systems throughout the site. 

Additionally, having HPS perform front-end engineering and design of the system will help drive consistent designs from other contractors throughout the entire project and help speed its completion, according to the company.

“We are very excited to begin work on this new refinery, which will further position Kuwait as an industry leader not only in the Middle East, but on a global level,” said Mr. Khaled Al-Awadhi, new refinery project manager. 

“Honeywell’s technology and experience in process controls will enable the Al Zour refinery to effectively meet the energy demands of Kuwait and reduce overall emissions," he added.