VAN OORD DELIVERS GROUND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN KUWAIT

Van Oord has successfully executed an extensive ground improvement project for the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC). The project which started in 2014 was completed at the end of August of this year. The ground improvement involved the reclamation of 65 million cubic meters (85 million cubic yards) of sand and extensive soil improvement. The reclamation area of 1320 hectare (3262 acres) is intended for the AlZour Refinery one of the largest oil refining plants in the Middle East. The refinery will be constructed on the reclaimed land in a ‘sabkha area’ a salt plain near the coast 30 kilometers (56 miles) north of the Saudi border. The reclamation project is the first phase of Kuwait National Petroleum Company’s investment program for the new refinery. The refinery is planned to produce 615000 barrels per day and has a strategic goal of supplying low-Sulphur fuel. Van Oord continues its work for KNPC in Kuwait including a land reclamation project for the construction of a port and the first phase of a LNG import facility.