Kent has been awarded the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract by Al-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO) for the Khafji Desalter and Water Treatment Plant & Related Facilities Upgrade (UDWT) Project. KJO is a joint venture between Aramco Gulf Operations Co. (AGOC) and Kuwait Gulf Oil Co. (KGOC).

Project Execution and Team

The 15-month project is scheduled to commence on October 6, 2025. It will be managed primarily from Kent's offices in Woking, U.K., by a multidisciplinary team of approximately 150 engineers and specialists. Kent's Saudi Arabia operation will contribute local expertise, site survey support, and in-country project coordination to ensure seamless execution.

Desalter Facilities Scope

The FEED scope includes the design of new desalter units. These new facilities are critical for sustaining a crude production rate of 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the next 20 years. They are designed to handle water cuts of up to 60% and will incorporate advanced separation and desalting technologies. The processing capacity is expected to be 315,000 bpd, and the design aims to reduce flaring to minimize environmental impact.

Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

The project also involves the upgrade of the existing water treatment infrastructure. This includes upgrading Water Treatment Facility-2 (WTF-2) and expanding Water Treatment Facility-3 (WTF-3). These upgrades will increase the total water treatment capacity to more than 500,000 bpd. The modernization is intended to improve system reliability, enhance injection and receiving capabilities, and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

Strategic Significance

The contract award is described as a reflection of the trust and partnership between Kent and KJO. The project reinforces Kent's position as a key engineering partner in the Middle East, combining international expertise with local delivery to support the development of sustainable energy infrastructure in the region.

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