Estimated to be worth KD 20 million-30 million ($66 million-99 million), the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract calls for the supply and installation of a new instrumentation system and related electro-mechanical works. The US' Fluor Daniel has prepared the front-end engineering and design (FEED).

Modernisation work is also planned at the nearby Mina Abdullah refinery. Bids are due to be submitted by 30 November for an EPC contract covering the installation of a new control system. The contract is estimated to be worth KD 10 million ($33 million - MEED 14:11:03, Tenders).

Along with modernisation, KNPC is also focusing on a project to upgrade its refineries. The US' Foster Wheeler is due to complete by the end of December a detailed study for the proposed scheme. It will include identification of bottlenecks, suggestions for reducing sulphur content and increasing storage capacity and a survey of the hydraulic systems (MEED 2:8:02).

At present, KNPC produces a total of 930,000 barrels a day from its three refineries. The third refinery is also located at Shuaiba.