KNPC workforce peaks at 7,650 staff mid-2026

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 3: By mid- 2026, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) had witnessed an unprecedented increase in the size of its workforce and national staff, marking a major strategic shift in the local oil sector. This significant transformation was driven by decisive decisions regarding internal reorganization and restructuring. Documented data revealed that the company’s total workforce exceeded 7,650 employees by the middle of the current year, reflecting the significant operational expansion the company is experiencing in its new phase and reinforcing its position as a major employer of national talent in Kuwait.

This record increase builds on the continuous growth documented in the company’s annual report for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The report showed a notable increase in the employee count to 6,441, up by 36 workers from the end of the previous fiscal year, when the workforce stood at 6,405 as of March 31, 2025. The figure includes employees of the Kuwait Aviation Fuelling Company (KAFCO). The company’s firm commitment to the “Kuwaitization” policy was evident during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, with the hiring of 171 new Kuwaiti employees alongside non-Kuwaiti staff across various disciplines.

This brought the total number of national employees, including KAFCO staff, to 5,979, representing 92.82 percent of the total workforce. In this context, an informed source attributed this rapid growth and notable expansion, which brought the total workforce of KNPC to 7,650 employees, to restructuring plans and comprehensive integration within the oil sector. These initiatives aim to establish a unified operational system based on a shared vision and harmonized working mechanisms, enabling the company to address future challenges and meet the demands of global energy markets with flexibility and efficiency. The significant increase in the workforce is a direct result of the extensive merger and integration operations carried out over the past and current years. Key milestones in this process included the transfer of the Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC), along with the Shuaiba and Umm Al-Aish gas plants, to operate under the umbrella of KNPC.

The source emphasized that this merger and integration initiative was not merely a routine administrative or organizational step; rather, it was a carefully devised strategy aimed at maximizing the utilization of human resources and enhancing the operational efficiency of vital facilities. This approach has successfully created an integrated work environment that eliminates redundancy and duplication while boosting productivity in a sector that serves as the lifeline and backbone of the Kuwaiti economy. Furthermore, this unified system helps develop the skills of national talent and provides opportunities to lead major projects and modern refineries in accordance with the highest global standards, reaffirming that Kuwaiti personnel represent the true and sustainable asset of the future energy industry. These figures reflect KNPC’s strong commitment to the policy of “Kuwaitization” and citizen empowerment, underscoring its vital role in Kuwait’s oil sector, a role that is pivotal to safeguarding both economic and national security.

Managing and developing oil resources through the national workforce helps ensure production continuity and stability, insulating operations from external volatility and thereby reinforcing Kuwait’s economic sovereignty. Regarding the role of the company’s national engineering workforce, the source highlighted their direct contribution to technology transfer and localization, as well as to the operation of modern refineries and large-scale environmental projects. This process effectively domesticates complex technical knowledge and expertise; indeed, young Kuwaiti professionals possess the high-level skills necessary to drive sustainability, innovation, and the evolution of operational processes, ensuring the company’s leadership at both regional and international levels.

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff