The Environment Public Authority (EPA) holding a meeting with KNPC officials. - KUNA

KUWAIT: The Environment Public Authority (EPA) said it is closely monitoring the investigation on the gas leakage from Kuwait National Petroleum Company’s Mina Al- Ahmadi refinery. In a press statement, EPA Director General Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said the authority members held a meeting with KNPC officials to weigh the measures taken - to control the leakage and the aftermath of the accident which occurred late Tuesday. KNPC has announced that the leakage occurred when one of the refinery’s flare gas units suffered a technical problem which caused incomplete burning of some gases and the leakage of sulfur oxides emissions for about 25 minutes. The company also noted that the situation was completely under control and that no harm was posed on people living in surrounding area.

KOC security level ‘red’

In another development, Kuwait Oil Company has raised the security level at the company to ‘red’, to go along with the current precautionary measures in Kuwait. A security circular shows that KOC received instructions to increase inspection procedures of oil fields and security gates and double them than before. Instructions were also given to facilities’ security men guarding KOC oil centers to adhere to strict entrance and exits procedures of employees and contracted workers who are allowed to enter. The circular urged all employees to call the emergency lines in case they notice any suspicious activity. He also said that no vehicles should be left unattended on the side roads in restricted areas. — Agencies