Kuwait Launches Pioneering Offshore Exploration Project, Unveiling New Hydrocarbon Resources
KUWAIT – Jan 3 (KUNA) – The Kuwait Oil Company’s (KOC) current offshore exploration project marks a pivotal national achievement, aligning with the Kuwait Oil Strategy for 2040. This initiative introduces cutting-edge technologies in offshore drilling and production, fosters the growth of national expertise, and creates quality employment opportunities for Kuwaiti citizens.
The project solidifies kuwait’s standing as a reliable global oil producer, ensuring a continued supply of hydrocarbon resources to meet international demand. It also establishes a foundation for innovation in marine exploration, leveraging artificial intelligence and data analysis throughout the exploration and production lifecycle.
This undertaking cultivates new technical skills in marine exploration, drilling, and production, while concurrently generating diverse job opportunities for Kuwaiti talent. It promotes the request of innovative technologies, including digitization, machine learning, and advanced data interpretation, across all marine specialties.
For six decades, Kuwait’s marine region has remained a focal point for survey operations and continuous attention.This strategic project now realizes the long-held Kuwaiti maritime dream.
Initial exploration efforts began in the 1960s, with Shell conducting the frist marine survey in 1961 and drilling the initial two exploratory wells. KOC followed in 1963 by drilling its first marine well near Failaka island,alongside additional exploration wells in Kuwait Bay’s Medina field.
In the early 1980s,KOC completed a two-dimensional marine survey covering approximately 6,000 square kilometers. This was revisited in 2014 with another two-dimensional survey, followed by a comprehensive geological study in 2018 to pinpoint optimal exploratory drilling locations.
The offshore exploratory drilling project commenced in 2022 with the drilling of the “Nokhdha-1” well using the “Oriental Phoenix” rig on August 8, 2022. In 2023, drilling began on the second exploratory well, “Jelaiah-2,” utilizing the “Oriental Dragon” rig on September 23, 2023.
Thes efforts culminated in two landmark events: the declaration of the Nokhatha offshore field discovery in July 2024, and the discovery of the Al-Julaiah offshore field in January 2025, fulfilling decades of exploration efforts.
The discovery of the Al-Julaiah field – Kuwait’s second purely offshore field – strengthens the nation’s position in global oil production. The field spans approximately 74 square kilometers and is estimated to hold around 800 million barrels of medium-density oil,free of hydrogen sulfide and with low carbon dioxide content.
The December 2023 drilling of the “Julaiah-2” well aimed to confirm the presence and productivity of hydrocarbons within various Cretaceous geological formations. The Zubair layer, a key oil-producing layer in northern Kuwait’s Sabriya and Al-Rawdatain fields, lies between the Ratawi and Shuaiba layers.
The first phase of the marine area exploration plan involved a comprehensive assessment, leading to the selection of six well locations and the commencement of drilling.
This initial phase includes drilling six exploratory wells: “Noukhada-1,” “Jeliah-2,” and “Jizh-1” to explore Cretaceous layers,and “Noukhadh-2,” “Jeliah-3,” and “Raqwa-3” to investigate Jurassic layers.
Kuwait Oil Company Advances Offshore Drilling with Focus on Safety and Efficiency
The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is actively developing its marine oil exploration and drilling capabilities, prioritizing environmental protection, operational safety, and cost-effectiveness. Recent projects have involved overcoming unique challenges related to geological conditions,proximity to shore,and a lack of past data,while simultaneously planning for future expansion and early production.
Initial Project Challenges and Solutions
The initial phase of KOC’s offshore drilling project, focused on the Al-Nukhadha and Al-Julaiah fields, presented several hurdles. Notably, the pressure and temperatures encountered during drilling of the first two wells exceeded initial expectations. This necessitated the procurement of more robust equipment capable of withstanding these complex conditions for subsequent wells. https://www.kuwaitoilcompany.com/en/
The Julaiah field,being one of the closest marine sites to the Kuwaiti shore,demanded heightened safety protocols.These included comprehensive training programs, regular inspections to prevent leaks, and the establishment of a 500-meter safety zone around the drilling area to protect maritime traffic.
KOC addressed potential environmental impact by implementing a system for transporting drilling outputs – soil and drilling fluids – to specialized treatment stations. Moreover, wells are secured on the seabed using protection cages to prevent accidents and ensure navigational safety. This commitment extends to both productive and non-productive wells; productive wells are secured for future access, while non-productive wells undergo complete seabed isolation. https://www.kuwaitoilcompany.com/en/
Environmental Obligation and Operational Safety
KOC emphasizes a multi-stage approach to marine well isolation,beginning with exploration and development to determine optimal pathways. Advanced mechanisms are employed throughout these stages to ensure both environmental and operational safety. the company collaborated with external parties for specialized support, including transportation, marine pollution control, and diving/undersea maintenance. In return, KOC provided pollution control equipment and support for diving operations. Marine tugs were utilized for rig transport, site preparation, and platform stabilization.
phase Two: Expansion and Optimization
KOC is currently planning the second phase of its offshore exploration project,which will involve drilling 17 new wells. This phase focuses on optimizing operational efficiency and reducing costs. the company is reviewing well designs, offshore drilling platform specifications, and logistical operations based on lessons learned from the initial project.https://www.kuwaitoilcompany.com/en/
A key component of this optimization effort is the evaluation of options for establishing a dedicated port for marine operations, designed to accommodate the needs of drilling rigs. KOC is also investigating the feasibility of early production from the discovered marine wells and developing the necessary infrastructure and production facilities.
Note: Direct,detailed facts about specific project details (e.g., exact well specifications, treatment station technologies) is limited in publicly available sources. The above summary is based on the provided text and general information available on the Kuwait oil Company website.