Crude was trading at $123.71 on the afternoon of 5 June, up from a pervious day's close of $122.30.

It is unclear what caused the fire at the paints and chemicals plant close to the refining facility, but officials from state refinery operator Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) were quick to state that operations at Mina Abdulla were unaffected.

The fire was brought under control in the afternoon. One worker at the plant was injured in the blaze.

Kuwait has a poor safety record for its hydrocarbons sector. Several fires have occurred at its Shuaiba refinery in recent years, and there have also been several pipeline leaks.

In 2001, a massive explosion at the northern Rawdhatain oil field caused the state’s crude production capacity to drop by 250,000 barrels a day.