Al-Zour Enhances Gas Supply Resilience for Power Plants During Peak Summer

Abdullah Al-Ajmi, head of the LNG Operations Team at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s National Oil Company, and Salah Bahzad, head of the Operations Department, emphasized the role of the Al-Zour LNG import facility in meeting energy demands during the summer peak. They explained that the facility operates as a strategic operational system that ensures fuel continuity for power and water plants and enhances supply flexibility.

During a virtual panel discussion titled “Importing Liquefied Natural Gas to Meet Power Plant Needs During the Summer Peak and the Role of Al-Zour Facilities in Covering Rising Natural Gas Demand in Kuwait,” they noted that the Al-Zour facilities provide a flexible global source of natural gas, a strategic reserve that boosts consumer network reliability, re-gasifies LNG, and injects it into the grid according to network requirements. Operational readiness during the summer peak is maintained through scheduled maintenance activities.

Al-Ajmi and Bahzad outlined the operational capabilities of the Al-Zour facilities, stating that they have proven their ability to support energy supply security during peak summer demand. The facility includes eight LNG storage tanks, each with a capacity of 225,000 cubic meters, bringing the total storage capacity to 1.8 million cubic meters. Its annual regasification capacity stands at 22 million tons, with a supply capacity of 3,000 billion British Thermal Units (BTUs).

They added that these capabilities enable the Al-Zour facilities to support local supply for up to 12 days without receiving new shipments, based on design and maximum operational capacity. They highlighted that fuel reliability for power and water plants is a core element of readiness, as summer sees a sharp rise in electricity and water demand, underscoring the importance of stable gas supplies to ensure service continuity.

Addressing these requirements involves flexibility in receiving global shipments according to market needs, maintaining reserves backed by strategic storage capacity capable of absorbing supply fluctuations, and ensuring rapid response by instantly adjusting shipment volumes to align with consumer network requirements.

They noted that monthly gas demand last year reached 1,000 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) in January, dropped to 959 million in February, then rose to 1,174 million in March, 1,487 million in April, and 1,750 million in May. As summer months began, demand climbed to 2,020 MMscf/d in June, peaking annually at 2,100 million in July, before recording 2,071 million in August and 1,971 million in September.

Regarding key operational indicators and achievements up to 2026, Al-Ajmi and Bahzad pointed out that the Al-Zour facilities received 445 tankers and took delivery of LNG equivalent to 67 million cubic meters, while the regasified volume reached approximately 1.2 billion standard cubic feet.

In terms of environmental and operational achievements, the facilities reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 8,000 tons through nitrogen injection, alongside the implementation of the gas re-liquefaction project.

Meanwhile, Sheikha Tamadur Al-Sabah, Director of Public and Petroleum Relations at the Ministry of Oil, affirmed that the Al-Zour LNG import facility plays a crucial role within Kuwait’s energy supply system. Its operational capabilities provide the necessary flexibility for supplies and support the continuous provision of fuel to power and water plants, particularly during the summer months when demand surges sharply.

She stated that the importance of the Al Zour facilities stems from the integration of their operational system, beginning with the receipt of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from global markets and the provision of strategic storage capacity, followed by the regasification of LNG, and culminating in its injection into the consumer network according to demand. This enhances supply reliability and strengthens the ability to meet the requirements of the peak summer season.