Kuwait announces major hydrocarbon discovery at Al Jlaiaa offshore field

Dubai: The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) announced yesterday (Monday) a significant hydrocarbon discovery at the Al Jlaiaa offshore field, a find that could bolster the nation’s oil and gas reserves and reinforce its role as a major global energy supplier.

Al Jlaiaa field, located within Kuwaiti territorial waters and covering 74 square kilometers, is estimated to hold approximately 800 million barrels of medium-density oil.

Tests on the exploration well, Al Jlaiaa 2, also revealed 600 billion standard cubic feet of associated gas, equivalent to 950 million barrels of oil equivalent.

The oil is notably free of hydrogen sulfide and contains low levels of carbon dioxide, signaling high-quality reserves, according to a statement released by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

“This discovery is a major milestone for Kuwait’s hydrocarbon resources and highlights the success of KOC’s marine exploration efforts,” the company said. The find, part of KOC’s ongoing exploration strategy, raises hopes for additional reserves in the Upper Cretaceous formations within Kuwait’s marine and adjacent regions.

Al Jlaiaa marks the second marine discovery under KOC’s current exploration plan, following the Al Nokhatha field discovery in July 2024.