The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy (MEWRE) have signed a cooperation agreement to build a 1.2-1.5GW co-generation plant at the South Ratqa heavy oil field. The power plant will produce enough steam to raise the field’s capacity to 120,000 b/d, while also increasing the emirate’s power generation capacity.
Kuwait currently produces around 90,000 b/d of heavy oil from the 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 - 161 WORDS)