Kuwait’s 2 new discoveries hold 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent reserves
Kuwait requires an investment of $300 billion to boost its oil production to 4 million barrels per day. This significant financial commitment is essential to enhance the country’s oil output and meet future energy demands.

The recent marine discoveries in Kuwait, specifically the “Al-Nukhda” and “Al-Julai’a” represent a significant step forward in the nation’s energy sector. According to Jamal Al-Loughani, the Secretary-General of the Arab Energy Organization (OAPEC), these discoveries are a national project par excellence, further strengthening Kuwait’s position on the global energy map.
Importantly, in less than six months, Kuwait achieved two oil discoveries in its territorial waters, with total reserves exceeding 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. These discoveries are part of the ambitious strategy of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), which aims to reach a production capacity of 4 million barrels per day by 2035. This strategy requires significant investments, estimated at $300 billion.
Al-Loughani explained that the naval exploration plan in Kuwait involves an advanced research vessel. During this phase, six wells were drilled, three targeting formations from the Cretaceous era, and three others targeting formations from the Jurassic era.
These discoveries play a major role in developing Kuwait’s natural resources and refining the skills of its national workforce. Furthermore, Kuwait’s marine exploration efforts go beyond simply discovering hydrocarbon wealth; they are part of a broader vision to build a prosperous future for future generations.
Al-Loughani stated that the history of marine exploration in Kuwait dates back to 1961 when Shell first collected seismic data covering approximately 6,300 longitudinal kilometers, followed by the drilling of three exploratory wells in 1962.
In 1963, the Kuwait Oil Company also drilled an exploratory well near Failaka Island. Since then, these exploration efforts have been ongoing.
The data obtained from the wells drilled over the years has provided geologists with invaluable insights into the region’s geological composition, helping to build a better understanding of the rock formations, layer distributions, and the presence of pawns, cracks, and other features that influence the presence of oil and gas.
Al-Loughani also noted that Kuwait had launched a new phase of offshore exploration in 2019, following the signing of a naval drilling contract in July of that year. This phase aims to produce 100,000 barrels of oil per day from Kuwait’s economic waters, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy exploration endeavors.
Source: Al Rai