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Kuwait Can Reportedly Restore 70% Oil Output in 6 to 8 Weeks After Hormuz Reopening

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Kuwait's oil production could return to 70% of pre-war levels within six to eight weeks once the Strait of Hormuz reopens, with full output resuming in another month, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday, citing Kuwait Petroleum's managing director for international marketing, Shaikh Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Refinery operations, meanwhile, could return to normal levels within two to three weeks after the crisis ends, Al-Sabah reportedly said during the S&P Global Energy Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference. KPC has about 1.4 million barrels per day of refining capacity.

Resuming normal refinery production would be quicker than recovering hydrocarbon output, according to Investing.com.

The Kuwait government was also in talks with "friendly countries" about potential pipeline projects, according to Al-Sabah, as cited by Reuters. The country would reportedly need a larger storage capacity at the same time.

KPC did not immediately respond to' request for comment.

Gulf refineries could ramp up to about 90% to 95% of capacity within 40 to 60 days, Reuters reported, citing Vitol Bahrain's head of research.

Meanwhile, transit through the Strait could return to pre-war levels in mid-2027, Philippe Khoury reportedly said. He is Abu Dhabi National Oil's executive vice president for sales and trading.

Toril Bosoni, the International Energy Agency's head of oil, as cited by the news agency, said that a best-case scenario would see a recovery in six to eight months after an agreement is reached.

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