KUWAIT CITY, Aug 17: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is keen on increasing the number of nationals employed in its subsidiaries, while affirming its dedication to protecting the benefits and rights of Kuwaitis working in the private oil sector, who currently number around 12,000, say reliable sources. Sources also revealed that KPC will soon announce the results of admissions for those who completed the Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Sciences in the second half of August, especially since applications for the positions began in January. Sources added that the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) recently carried out a limited round of promotions that led to some vacancies in the Well Intervention Department and created 35 positions in its Fire Department. Sources added KOC made promotions in the Field Development Department and renamed several positions -- Senior Petroleum Engineer, Senior Reservoir Engineer and Senior Geologist.

They indicated that the Kuwaitization policy at KOC is progressing at rapid pace. Meanwhile, CEO of KPC Sheikh Nawaf Al-Saud Al-Sabah revealed that the Kuwaitization rate in the oil sector has risen to 91 percent. The newspaper obtained a copy of the 2025 annual report of KPC, in which Sheikh Nawaf Al-Saud Al- Sabah emphasized that the focus has not been limited to appointing Kuwaitis; as it included providing a wide range of training and development programs for new cadres, alongside fostering a motivating work environment that enables high performance and meaningful contributions to the sector’s ongoing success.

In a related development, sources indicated that the total number of Kuwaiti employees in the corporation and its subsidiaries reached 20,336 in the first quarter of 2025 — down from 20,812 during the same period last year due to retirements. Meanwhile, the total number of Kuwaiti nationals appointed by the end of March 2025 reached 365; indicating the biggest number was recorded last year – 1,087 citizens by the end of 2024. Sources denied rumors about the large-scale recruitment of expatriates at the expense of national talent, clarifying that only 31 expatriates were hired until March 2025 — and only in essential and specialized roles. Sources added Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation (KNPC) remains focused on its strategy to achieve operational excellence and to invest in national talent, which it views as the country’s most valuable resource. With ongoing expansion projects in the oil sector, the corporation is equally committed to maintaining a healthy and supportive work environment for its national workforce, sources concluded.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff