KUWAIT: The Ministry of Oil affirmed on Monday that the offshore oil exploration project constitutes one of Kuwait’s strategic pillars in the coming phase, with full support from the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) to continue drilling and production operations. The ministry stressed that the project will contribute to boosting the country’s oil reserves and consolidating Kuwait’s position as a reliable global energy supplier. This came in a speech by Director of Public Relations and Media at the Ministry, Sheikha Tamader Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, during a panel discussion titled “Opportunities and Challenges in Offshore Oil Exploration and Production… Julai’a Offshore Field”, organized by the ministry with the participation of KOC representatives.

Sheikha Tamader said the ministry regards the offshore drilling project as a pioneering national step aligned with Kuwait’s 2040 oil strategy. She noted that the initiative paves the way for applying advanced technologies in offshore exploration and production, while also contributing to the development of national capabilities and enhancing the expertise of young cadres.

She underlined that the recent discoveries in the Al-Nokhtha and Al-Julai’a fields were the result of decades of research and work, stressing that the achievements lay a strong foundation for a new chapter in Kuwait’s offshore exploration efforts. She reiterated that the ministry, in cooperation with KOC, will continue investing in these opportunities while adhering to the highest standards of safety and environmental protection, in line with its national responsibility to secure the country’s energy future.

KOC representatives, for their part, highlighted the significance of the offshore project as a national initiative aimed at increasing Kuwait’s hydrocarbon reserves and reinforcing its position among the world’s reliable producers. They explained that the project places Kuwait alongside leading regional players as a prominent offshore operator operating to international standards, noting that the offshore region has remained a focus of exploration for six decades.

They recalled that the first offshore survey was conducted by Shell in 1961, followed by the drilling of the country’s first two offshore exploratory wells. They added that the discovery of the Julai’a offshore field — Kuwait’s second pure offshore field — has strengthened the country’s standing on the global oil map. Covering 74 square kilometers, the field holds estimated reserves of about 800 million barrels of oil, they said. — KUNA