State-owned downstream operator Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) has awarded Bilfinger Middle East, the regional subsidiary of Germany-headquartered Bilfinger, the contract for front-end engineering and design (feed) services on a project to develop the new north oil pier at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery.

The engineering team at Bilfinger Engineering & Maintenance Middle East will provide feed services which include site surveys, feasibility studies, conceptual and detailed engineering, cost estimation, and risk assessment, among others.

“These [services] aim to help optimise the pier’s operations, minimise resource consumption, and ensure compliance with the highest environmental standards,” Bilfinger said in a statement on 5 August.

“With the current oil piers at Mina Al-Ahmadi nearing the end of their operational lifespan by 2030 and deemed unsuitable for further rehabilitation, KNPC is taking proactive measures to secure the future of Kuwait’s petroleum exports,” Frankfurt listed Bilfinger said.

“The new north oil pier project, along with upgraded onshore facilities, will ensure the uninterrupted export of the country’s petroleum products well beyond 2030, reinforcing Kuwait’s position as a key player in the global energy market,” Bilfinger added.

MEED had in December last year reported that KNPC, a subsidiary of state energy conglomerate Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), issued the feed tender for the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery new north oil pier project.

KNPC held a pre-tender meeting for the project on 22 December, and set an initial bid submission deadline of 9 January, which it eventually extended.

KNPC invited the following companies to participate in the:

• Wood Group (UK)
• Engineers India (India)
• Delta Marine Consultants Singapore (Singapore)
• Proes Consultants (Spain)
• Bilfinger Tebodin Middle East (UAE)
• Worley (Australia)

Separately, KNPC is also close to awarding the main contract for a project to develop a Shuaiba oil pier south arm facility. MEED in May reported that Kuwait-based Canar Energy Services had submitted the lowest bid for the project.

The Shuaiba oil pier comprises several structures, including the Approach Trestle, North Arm Facility and South Arm Facility.

The North Arm Facility consists of two berths, Berth 31 and Berth 32, and when operational, it loads refined products for both KNPC and state-owned Petrochemicals Industries Company.

The North Arm Facility is currently not operational and will be upgraded as part of a separate project.