Nicosia, Feb 15 : The Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) has announced that it will implement an ambitious program aiming at upgrading its three refineries - Mina Abdullah, Mina Al Ahmadi and Shuaiba - at a total cost of 3.5 billion dollars.

The program involves the upgrading of tanks, effluent revamping and renovation of control, safety and the main process systems at all its refineries.

If everything goes according to plan, the upgrading will be completed in 2010.

KNPC is involved in the refining of crude oil, the liquefaction of gas and the marketing of oil and gas products.

It should be noted that the company is currently building the new Al Zour Refinery at a cost of 19 billion, which is expected to produce 615,000 barrels per day, when completed in 2012.

The new refinery will be divided into to five packages: the installation of crude distillation units, diesel, naphta and kerosene hydrotreater; a hydrogen production unit, gas treatment and amine treatment units; the construction of offsites and utilities; the construction of a tank farm, and, the construction of marine export facilities.

Last month, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company announced its decision to become one of the first companies in the world to comply with the new ISO2600 Corporate Social Responsibility Guidance Industry Standard, building on its strengths in environmental, social and economic matters.

Launching the initiative, KNPC Chairman Farouk Hussain Al-Zanki said: "It is vital that each and every one of us appreciates our duty to contribute positively to our communities and to give back to the people and the planet that give so much to us. I see a great opportunity for our company to show that it is one of the most environmentally-conscious and socially aware companies in the region and the wider world."