Saudi Arabia begins pumping oil from giant Khursaniyah field

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has started pumping crude from the 500,000 barrel per day (bpd) Khursaniyah field, a source at state oil giant Saudi Aramco said on Wednesday.

The oilfield is the largest single increment to global oil production capacity for several years. First output was delayed from the scheduled start date in December 2007.

Khursaniyah will take Saudi Arabia's total production capacity to around 11.8 million bpd from around 11.3 million bpd, although total capacity may be slightly below that due to fields declining elsewhere.

"The facility is operational and producing crude," the source said. He was unable to give more details on actual output or when all of Khursaniyah's capacity would be ready to produce.

"Its production rates are dependent on our company's monthly production targets for each facility," the source said.

The giant oifield produces light crude, favoured by global refiners because it is easier than heavy crude to process for transport fuels.