Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 21, Kuwait has launched a large-scale environmental cleanup initiative as the first unit of an oil lake crude recovery project, led by China’s Jereh Group, successfully completed its trial run on Wednesday. The project is part of the Kuwait Environmental Remediation Program (KERP), which focuses on addressing oil pollution and ecological damage caused during the 1990–1991 Gulf War, when about 700 oil wells were set on fire, creating oil lakes and contaminating extensive areas of soil.

Workers are seen at an oil lake crude recovery project led by China's Jereh Group in Ahmadi Governorate, Kuwait, Aug. 20, 2025. Kuwait has kicked off a major environmental cleanup effort as the first unit of an oil lake crude recovery project led by Jereh completed its trial run Wednesday.

The contract, valued at around 100 million yuan (approximately 14 million U.S. dollars), assigns Jereh Group the responsibility of providing an integrated solution and supplying core equipment for the cleanup process. This project represents an important milestone in Kuwait’s long-term efforts to restore its environment and rehabilitate affected areas.

Zhuang Guanghua, president of Jereh Group’s Middle East Region, stated: "Representing Chinese energy enterprises, Jereh is actively participating in the development of Kuwait's oil and gas industry and environmental protection, demonstrating the combined strength of Chinese manufacturing and services. We will continue to support Kuwait's energy transition and sustainable development with advanced technologies and high-quality solutions."

Adding further perspective, Zhang Hongwei, director of Jereh Group’s Middle East Region, emphasized the role of Chinese innovation in enhancing the effectiveness of the cleanup process. He explained: "Advanced technologies from Chinese companies have significantly improved the efficiency of oil lake crude recovery, pushing the project toward ecological restoration and vegetation rehabilitation. This marks an important step for Kuwait in environmental management and sustainable development."

On the same day, Liu Xiang, charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait, visited the project site. He highlighted the wider significance of Jereh’s contribution: "Jereh's successful practice not only contributed Chinese expertise to Kuwait's environmental remediation efforts, but also showcased the international competitiveness of Chinese environmental equipment and engineering technology." Liu also noted that China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Kuwait in environmental governance and energy transition, with the goal of achieving benefits for both countries.

The completion of this trial run demonstrates tangible progress in Kuwait’s cleanup strategy under the KERP framework. With Jereh’s integrated technologies and equipment, the project is moving toward sustainable land restoration and future vegetation recovery. The collaboration also underlines the importance of international partnerships in tackling large-scale environmental challenges while supporting long-term energy transition goals.

By advancing this initiative, Kuwait is making progress in ecological rehabilitation, while Chinese enterprises, represented by Jereh, are contributing specialized solutions and technological expertise. The project reflects the shared interest of both countries in sustainable development and environmental protection, positioning it as a model of cooperative effort in the global energy and environmental sectors.