Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) and Honeywell, the global software-industrial leader, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to share expertise and promote world-class training and technology adoption at the Al Zour refining and petrochemicals complex in southern Kuwait.

The MOU aims to strengthen long-term cooperation between the two companies, and calls for the development of a roadmap to enhance operational excellence at KIPIC, a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) set up to manage refinery, petrochemicals and LNG import operations.

The MOU also seeks to support the nation’s Kuwaitization strategy, through the development of modern training programs that will equip Kuwaiti engineers with the skills and capabilities needed to drive the future development of the country’s energy sector.
 
“KIPIC is building up world-class facilities to deliver maximum value for Kuwait’s economy and people by leveraging technology to integrate major processes and facilities,” said Mahmood Abul, KIPIC's acting chief executive officer. “In line with our efforts to maintain the highest international standards, we are proud to be working with Honeywell, a pioneer and long-standing innovator in the oil and gas industry, and a company that shares our commitment to best practice and the development of a strong and able local workforce.”

George Bou Mitri, president for Honeywell in Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, added: “Honeywell has a long and rich history supporting the oil and gas industry in Kuwait, and we consider KIPIC to be one of our key strategic allies here the Middle East region. The signing of this MOU will help maximize productivity and efficiencies, and increase momentum around training and development initiatives in line with the New Kuwait 2040 strategy.”

Under the terms of the MOU, KIPIC and Honeywell are seeking to consolidate technical and engineering know-how and expertise and will explore avenues to train young Kuwaiti engineers. The two companies will also look to jointly develop new technologies and processes, and explore other areas of cooperation to ensure KIPIC’s facilities benefit from the latest Honeywell technologies and services.

KIPIC was established in 2016 and aims to maximize shareholder value and achieve operational excellence, while enabling the development of Kuwait’s economy and unlocking the potential of its people.

Honeywell was pre-selected as the Main Automation Contractor (MAC) for the Al Zour complex project in 2014. The partnership has since developed beyond automation systems to include fiscal metering, fire and safety solutions, security solutions, training simulators and plant information management systems. Honeywell will also supply technology licenses, design services, key equipment, and state-of-the-art catalysts and adsorbents to produce clean-burning fuels, paraxylene, propylene and other petrochemicals at the complex. - TradeArabia News Service