KUWAIT CITY, July 1: Nasser Al-Buhairi, Director of the Health, Safety, and Environment Department at Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), underscored the critical need for comprehensive security preparedness and risk readiness within the oil and gas sector to ensure its continued stability and resilience.

Al-Buhairi made these remarks to reporters on the sidelines of a high-level Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) workshop focused on protecting oil and gas infrastructure and managing crises. The workshop commenced at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition in Ahmadi City and is a collaborative effort between the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Kuwait Oil Company, and the GCC Emergency Management Center.

He highlighted that Gulf oil companies are actively enhancing the capabilities and readiness of their personnel and systems to effectively confront potential risks and emergencies.

“The workshop primarily concentrates on the security of oil facilities and the coordinated preparedness of GCC member states,” Al-Buhairi noted, adding that existing plans will be reviewed and improved through the exchange of expertise among the Gulf countries.

He emphasized the workshop’s significance in addressing the vital role of the regional oil and gas industry and the array of risks it faces amid current geopolitical and economic challenges.

Al-Buhairi further stated that the workshop aims to generate key recommendations to boost both scientific knowledge and practical skills within the Gulf oil sector, while also strengthening assurances for global markets regarding the reliable provision of secure energy resources.

He described the GCC Emergency Management Center as a cornerstone institution within the Gulf framework, pivotal for sharing expertise and coordinating collective responses to potential threats.

Regarding Kuwait’s role, Al-Buhairi affirmed the country’s commitment to advancing its efforts to safeguard this essential sector. He praised the Kuwait Oil Company’s pool of specialized national talent and explained that sector development is pursued through identifying needs, executing strategic plans, and transferring expertise to national personnel.

“The continuous development of this sector is achieved by recognizing its requirements, implementing well-structured plans, and building the capacities of our national workforce,” he concluded.