Sandstorm halts Kuwaiti operations

29.03.2011 [12:40]
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Baku, March 29 (AZERTAC). A massive sandstorm has caused Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) to temporarily suspend drilling operations and exports on March 26 according to a company spokesman.

"Due to the bad weather the state of emergency was declared in all KPC facilities, petro stations and export outlets," said Sheik Talal, an official at the KPC.

"This will not affect our plans to supply our customers with petroleum products locally or abroad, due to plans prepared for these types of situations," he said, adding that stoppages were needed to ensure KPC workers` safety.

But he said the KPC said it is committed to honouring its contracts with local and foreign customers through its emergency plans.

The KPC also halted maintenance operations at oil refineries until the weather improves.

The Kuwaiti International Airport was also shut down after the heavy storm suddenly hit the oil-rich Gulf emirate around 6 pm (1500 GMT). Visibility was reduced to several meters in some areas.

Kuwait is the fourth largest exporter in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and pumps around 2.3 million barrels of crude per day.

Sandstorm halts Kuwaiti operations

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