RIYADH: Kuwait has firmly rejected Iran’s claims over the Al-Durra gas field, emphasizing its exclusive rights to the field’s natural resources in partnership with Saudi Arabia, according to state news agency KUNA.
Kuwait has also urged Iran to engage in negotiations to demarcate their maritime borders following Tehran’s announcement of plans to commence drilling activities in the Al-Durra field.
Kuwaiti Oil Minister Saad Al-Barrak stated, “We categorically and totally reject Iran’s planned activities around the premises of the Durra offshore gas field,” as reported by KUNA. Al-Barrak expressed surprise at Iran’s intentions and stressed that this move contradicts the fundamental principles of international relations.
Kuwait’s Claim Over Al-Durra Gas Field
A source close to Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry, cited by KUNA, highlighted that the maritime area where the Al-Durra offshore field is located falls within the sea territories of the State of Kuwait, with shared natural resources between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The source emphasized that exclusive rights to the natural resources of the Al-Durra field belong solely to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
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Earlier in March, Kuwait and Iran engaged in joint negotiations in Tehran to address the demarcation of their maritime borders, with both sides emphasizing the importance of resolving the matter in accordance with international laws.
In 2022, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to develop the Al-Durra field despite strong objections from Iran. The field, situated in the shared neutral zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is projected to produce 1 billion cubic feet of gas per day and 84,000 barrels per day of condensate.
The recent controversies surrounding the field’s operations have arisen following Mohsen Khojsteh Mehr, the managing director of the National Iranian Oil Co., announcing significant resources allocated to explore the offshore field. Mehr stated, “Considerable resources have been allocated to the board of directors of the National Iranian Oil Co. for the implementation of the development plan for this field,” according to Iranian state media.
