logo
Kuwait and Saudi review key issues on petroleum operations in Divided Zone

Kuwait and Saudi review key issues on petroleum operations in Divided Zone

Kuwait Times6 days ago
Kuwaiti-Saudi Joint Committee holds 118th meeting at Khafji Operations HQ
KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti-Saudi Permanent Joint Committee held its 118th meeting on Sunday at the headquarters of the Khafji Joint Operations. The meeting was chaired on the Kuwaiti side by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil Sheikh Dr Nimr Fahad Al-Malik Al-Sabah, while the Saudi delegation was led by Assistant Minister of Energy Mohammed Al-Ibrahim.
According to a statement issued by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Oil, the meeting reviewed several key issues related to petroleum operations in the onshore Divided Zone and the adjacent submerged area. Discussions focused on strategic plans, major ongoing and upcoming projects, challenges facing implementation, and the application of advanced technologies in exploration and production activities.
The statement highlighted the committee's pride in the recent petroleum discovery by Wafra Joint Operations in the North Wafra Wara-Burgan field, announced in May. The committee emphasized that this discovery — with oil flowing at a rate exceeding 500 barrels per day from the Wara Burgan-1 well — underscores the strength of bilateral cooperation in managing and developing shared natural resources. It also reflects the technical capabilities and dedication of national cadres from both countries, further solidifying Kuwait and Saudi Arabia's global reputation as reliable energy suppliers. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ongoing exploration and development work to achieve shared interests and ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.
The meeting also reviewed a progress report by the Permanent Joint Committee Office, which included emergency preparedness plans, ongoing procedures and efforts to enhance operational efficiency. The performance of the operational committee was also evaluated, with both sides commended for formulating a unified strategic action plan aligned with the long-term energy goals of both countries. In its statement, the Ministry of Oil praised the dedication of human resources from both the Kuwaiti and Saudi sides and acknowledged the vital role played by leaders of Khafji and Wafra Joint Operations in executing operational strategies.
Sheikh Nimr Al-Sabah stressed the importance of continuing the committee's meetings to monitor joint operations, evaluate development projects, train national personnel, and integrate cutting-edge technology into all stages of petroleum operations. He expressed appreciation to the Saudi Assistant Minister of Energy for his cooperation and the spirit of brotherhood shown during the meeting, expressing hope that the two sides would continue their coordination to advance joint petroleum projects in Khafji and Wafra.
The Permanent Joint Committee was established under the Neutral Zone Division Agreement signed in 1965. It reports directly to the ministers of oil and energy in both countries. Among its responsibilities are facilitating operational procedures for petroleum company personnel in the Divided Zone, overseeing the proper exploitation of shared natural resources, evaluating related studies, and reviewing new licenses, contracts, and concessions.
The committee, headed on the Kuwaiti side by Sheikh Dr Nimr Al-Sabah and including officials from the Ministry of Oil and Ministry of Interior, holds biannual meetings. The agreement to divide the adjacent submerged zone was signed in 2000, followed by a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2019 regarding the resumption of production in the Divided Zone. These documents are considered annexes to the 1965 agreement. — KUNA
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kuwait's social security to disburse KD 20 pension increase starting August 1
Kuwait's social security to disburse KD 20 pension increase starting August 1

Arab Times

time3 hours ago

  • Arab Times

Kuwait's social security to disburse KD 20 pension increase starting August 1

KUWAIT CITY, July 27: The Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS) announced on Sunday that the next pension increase of KD 20 (approximately USD 65.4) will be disbursed starting August 1. In a post on its official ' X' account, the PIFSS confirmed that the increment will cover Kuwaiti retirees as well as individuals treated as Kuwaitis. It will also include those eligible for pensions based on their entitlement percentages. The institution clarified that the pension increase will be deposited automatically, and beneficiaries do not need to take any action or visit the PIFSS to receive the additional amount.

Kuwait Just Changed Driving License Rules, Here is what you need to know
Kuwait Just Changed Driving License Rules, Here is what you need to know

Arab Times

time9 hours ago

  • Arab Times

Kuwait Just Changed Driving License Rules, Here is what you need to know

KUWAIT CITY, July 27: The Official Gazette Kuwait Alyom has published Ministry of Interior Resolution No. 1257 of 2025, introducing amendments to Clause 1 of Article 85 of Ministerial Resolution No. 81/76, which outlines the Executive Regulations of the Traffic Law and its amendments. According to the revised clause, a "Private License" is now defined as a license issued to operate private vehicles carrying no more than seven passengers, transport vehicles with a load capacity not exceeding two tons, taxis, and ambulances. The updated regulation sets new validity periods based on the holder's residency status: 15 years for Kuwaiti citizens and citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, 5 years for expatriates (non-Kuwaitis), Valid according to card review for stateless (Bedouns) The resolution also authorizes the acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior to enforce the decision, which takes effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

Kuwait's Forgotten Tyre Graveyard: Push for Urgent Cleanup Plan
Kuwait's Forgotten Tyre Graveyard: Push for Urgent Cleanup Plan

Arab Times

timea day ago

  • Arab Times

Kuwait's Forgotten Tyre Graveyard: Push for Urgent Cleanup Plan

KUWAIT CITY, July 26: Municipal Council member Alia Al-Farsi has submitted a question to the executive body of Kuwait Municipality regarding tyre landfills and dumping sites, pointing out that Kuwait has scarce and undiversified natural resources, while it has large quantities of waste that can be utilised in the economic sector. Al-Farsi said the Environmental Affairs Committee in the council discussed this issue in its first workshop -- held on June 26, 2024 -- under the title, 'Tyre Landfills and Dumping Sites and their Impact on Public Health and Environmental Safety - Current Situation and Sustainable Solutions,' which resulted in the issuance of a set of urgent and long-term recommendations. She included in her question the most important recommendations presented at the workshop -- the need for coordination between the Municipality, Environment Public Authority (EPA) and Public Authority for Industry (PAI) to gradually eliminate tyre accumulation, particularly at the Kilometer 65 site in Salmi, with the participation of factories licensed by PAI and Kuwaiti entrepreneurs approved by the Municipality. She said this should be part of a comprehensive plan that includes studying the specifications of the accumulated tyres (both new and old) and the mechanism for distributing them to treatment facilities, under the supervision of the Municipality and according to a clear timetable. She added that the plan must also include meeting the requirements of the Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) at tyre collection sites, such as establishing temporary water basins, developing a comprehensive plan to manage tyre disposal in line with sustainable development goals, and rehabilitating waste transporters in light of the new regulations for municipal waste management and public hygiene. She enumerated the other recommendations as follows: Promote modern tyre processing methods; Prepare a procedures manual for the use of recycled building materials in coordination with Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Ministry of Public Works and Kuwait University; Specify legislative frameworks through the Regulations Review Committee at the Municipality; Monitor the results of experiments conducted by some entities using rubber asphalt extracted from tyres, in preparation for developing technical specifications and expanding the scope of application in road projects; Invest in recycled waste within road maintenance contracts at the Ministry of Public Works; Support and encourage the private sector to implement projects that promote sustainable development and the green economy Al-Farsi pointed out that more than a year had passed since the issuance of these recommendations, which prompted her to present a series of questions to the executive body in the Municipality, about the measures taken regarding the tyres landfill in Salmi (Kilometer 65) and the extent of the commitment of the Municipality to implement the recommendations; especially concerning the disposal of tyre waste in line with the sustainable development goals. She also inquired about the mechanism followed in measuring and managing the quantities of accumulated tyres, as well as the increase and disposal rates.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store