Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has awarded Jacobs Engineering contract for a pre-feasibility study, with the option of proceeding to a detailed feasibility study for KPC and its subsidiaries’ strategic directions and downstream long term plans for the period up to 2040.

As part of the study, Jacobs will evaluate how domestic refining capacity can be best expanded, in a cost-effective way, while providing advantaged feedstocks for integrated petrochemical production. The studies will cover evaluation and optimization of alternative process configurations using an integrated Linear Program model, various technical studies, licensor evaluation, cost estimation, financial modeling and risk assessment and management, with a focus on increasing refining capacity and optimum petrochemical integration."

As refiners across the industry look to the chemical market for profit growth, Jacobs leverages its proven, differentiated capabilities that have helped refiners explore options and define strategies for optimized refinery-petrochemical integration," said Jacobs Petroleum and Chemicals President Vinayak Pai. "This new award is an affirmation of our refining, petrochemicals and Oil-to-Chemicals (OTC) expertise and perfectly aligns with our strategy to expand services in the Middle East region."

The contract also helps Jacobs plan to increase its presence in Kuwait, with an eye on long-term and continued involvement in the country's upstream, refining and petrochemical industries. Over the last 40 years it has executed several projects in the region like Sadara Chemical Company, Ma'aden Wa'ad Al-Shamal Phosphate Company, among others.