Local Kuwaiti daily al-Anbaa reported on 27 October that the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEWRE) and Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) are considering a joint project at Ratqa to increase the electricity grid’s capacity and produce steam for heavy oil production. The new co-generation plant could have 1.2-1.5GW capacity and will be tendered through the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP).
Heavy oil production currently stands at 90,000 b/d, mainly from Ratqa and Umm Niqa fields in North Kuwait (MEES, 3 January). The oil is extremely heavy and sour, and its high viscosity means that KOC must apply cyclic steam injection and steam flood techniques to boost recovery. (CONTINUED - 217 WORDS)