Government races to safely dispose of 50,000 barrels of ethanol

• Sources indicated that “during the past four years, only about 500 barrels of ethanol were consumed, and about 10,000 more were distributed to government agencies whose work requires the use of this substance.

Informed sources disclosed to Al-Rai newspaper that “advanced government discussions have recently been held involving multiple parties to devise practical solutions for the disposal of approximately 50,000 barrels of ethanol or ethyl alcohol stored in the Shuaiba area.” The sources noted that “this governmental initiative aims to mitigate any risks associated with the prolonged storage of this chemical compound.”

The sources stated that “about 60,000 barrels of ethanol have been stored since 2020, which were imported at that time as part of the government’s plans to confront the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

They indicated that “during the past four years, only about 500 barrels were consumed, and about 10,000 more were distributed to government agencies whose work requires the use of this substance, so the current stock stabilizes at about 50,000.”

Sources pointed out that “the presence of this large quantity for a long period has increased the need to dispose of it safely and invest in coordination with the relevant authorities, led by the oil sector.”

The sources said that “it is difficult to sell these barrels to companies to avoid recording accounting losses in government books,” noting that “there is an agreement to assign the concerned authorities, including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Industry Authority, the Kuwait Supply Company, the oil sector, the Kuwait Ports Corporation, and the General Fire Department, to redirect this stock to government agencies that can benefit from it, provided that it is safely unloaded.”