Kuwait: Toward Drastic Gas Flaring Reduction and a Path to Carbon Neutrality by 2050

Kuwait is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan integrates an increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, an extensive carbon capture project, and the development of electric vehicle infrastructure.

Share:

Kuwait’s new energy policies highlight a clear commitment to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. This goal is driven by the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), which is spearheading several initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG), and optimizing its oil and gas facilities.

With 6.57 million tons of LNG imported in 2024, Kuwait stands as the Middle East’s largest LNG importer. This increase addresses the growing demand for electricity, particularly during the summer months when the country uses LNG to power its plants. Kuwait has also strengthened its LNG supply by signing an agreement with QatarEnergy for an additional three million tons per year until 2039. This partnership aims to meet the nation’s growing energy needs while reducing dependence on more polluting fuels.

Investments for Greener Energy Production

Kuwait is also planning significant investments in sustainable energy projects. The Ministry of Finance recently awarded a contract to build a 900-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine plant, expected to be completed by 2025, to meet domestic energy demands. Simultaneously, several LNG production projects, such as the Al-Zour North 2 and 3 phases and the Al-Khairan IWPP, aim to add a combined capacity of 4.5 gigawatts, meeting the long-term LNG infrastructure needs.

To diversify its energy sources, KPC has launched a feasibility study on using renewable energy, with the goal of achieving 17 GW of capacity by 2050. Currently, these projects remain at a modest scale, primarily with solar panels in parking areas and public buildings.

Reducing Emissions through Refining Optimization and Recycling

Kuwait has also redefined the role of its Al-Zour refinery, one of the country’s largest, by shifting it toward lower-emission production. The refinery will now be integrated into a petrochemical complex capable of producing 2.76 million tons of aromatics and propylene annually, along with 1.7 million tons of eco-friendly fuels. This strategy enables Kuwait to maximize economic value while adopting less polluting processes.

To bolster its sustainable development strategy, KPC also plans to produce one million tons of green hydrogen annually and install 18,000 electric vehicle charging stations within and outside the country by 2050. The country aims to position itself as a regional recycling leader, with a planned capacity of 120,000 tons of plastic per year by 2050.

Increased Efforts to Eliminate Gas Flaring

Gas flaring management is central to KPC’s emissions reduction efforts. Since 2020, the country has reduced its flaring rate to below 1%, down from 17% in 2005. This commitment extends to shared production areas, notably with Saudi Arabia in the neutral zone. The Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC), responsible for this area, aims to achieve a 1% flaring rate in the near future.

Kuwait aspires to eradicate routine flaring across its facilities by 2030 for domestic assets and by 2040 for all subsidiaries. Simultaneously, the state-owned Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation (KNPC) adopts emission reduction technologies, such as heat recovery, to enhance its refining and gas liquefaction operations.

Progressively phasing out gas flaring and transitioning to cleaner fuels position Kuwait as a model for energy transition in the Middle East. KPC’s ambition to maintain low-carbon oil production capacity aligns with a broader strategy that could reshape the country’s role in the global energy landscape.

Italian group Eni signs a twenty-year liquefied natural gas supply contract with US-based Venture Global, covering two mn tonnes per year and marking a first for the company from the United States.
The discovery of the Gajajeira field marks a major step for Angola, strengthening its natural gas development strategy and diversifying national energy resources in a context of sector transition.
The Voskhod vessel, under US sanctions, docked at the Arctic LNG 2 plant in Russia, marking the second visit by a sanctioned ship to the site this year, according to maritime tracking data.
Japan has urgently secured several additional cargoes of liquefied natural gas from the United States to avert an imminent electricity supply shortage caused by rapidly declining national reserves expected at the end of July.
The European Commission has unveiled a proposal to prohibit the import of Russian gas into the Union, sparking intense debate on its feasibility, contractual impact and consequences for supply security among several Member States.
CNOOC Limited announces the discovery of a significant oil and gas reservoir in the buried hills of the Beibu Gulf, opening new opportunities for shallow water exploration off the coast of China.
TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG gas project is at the centre of a legal challenge in Washington, following the approval of a $4.7 bn loan by the US Exim Bank, amid security concerns and opposition from civil society groups.
Investors are closely watching U.S. midstream companies’ announcements regarding new gas pipeline expansions targeting promising markets in the West and Northeast, beyond traditional regions in Texas and the Southeast.
PPL Corporation and Blackstone Infrastructure announce a strategic partnership to develop new gas-fired power plants to supply electricity to data centers through long-term contracts in Pennsylvania.
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd announces a new record initial flow test result at the Shenandoah S2-2H ST1 well and the start of its 2025 drilling campaign in the Beetaloo Basin.
Technip Energies has secured a contract to lead preparatory works for a floating liquefied natural gas unit in Africa, confirming its presence in the international gas infrastructure market.
The Slovak government is seeking guarantees from the European Union to secure its supplies as talks continue over ending Russian gas and adopting a new round of sanctions.
ArcLight Capital Partners announces the acquisition of Middletown Energy Center, a combined-cycle natural gas power plant, aimed at meeting the substantial rise in energy demand from data centers and digital infrastructure in Ohio.
The commissioning of LNG Canada, the first major Canadian liquefied natural gas export facility led by Shell, has not yet triggered the anticipated rise in natural gas prices in western Canada, still facing persistent oversupply.
Horizon Petroleum Ltd. is advancing towards the production launch of the Lachowice 7 gas well in Poland, having secured necessary permits and completed preliminary works to commence operations as early as next August.
European Union member states have requested to keep their national strategies for phasing out Russian gas by 2027 confidential, citing security concerns and market disruption risks, according to a document revealed by Reuters.
TotalEnergies becomes a member of PJM Interconnection, expanding its trading capabilities in North America's largest wholesale electricity market. The decision strengthens the company's presence in the United States.
Turkey has connected its gas grid to Syria’s and plans to begin supplying gas for power generation in the coming weeks, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
Despite record electricity demand, China sees no significant increase in LNG purchases due to high prices and available alternative supplies.
US natural gas production and consumption are expected to reach record highs in 2025, before slightly declining the following year, according to the latest forecasts from the US Energy Information Administration.