KUWAIT CITY, Sept 25: Prominent oil expert Kamel Al-Harami in a recent interview with the Al- Seyassah newspaper has shed light on the urgent need to rejuvenate Kuwait’s iconic Burgan Field, the second largest oil field in the world. With reserves estimated at 70 billion barrels, Al-Harami said, the Burgan has long been a cornerstone of Kuwait’s oil production.

However, in recent years, the field’s output has significantly declined, slipping from providing 70 percent of the Kuwait Oil Company’s production to less than 60 percent. Al-Harami attributed this downturn to the inevitable effects of time and aging, likening the field to a person growing old and requiring extra care in the form of “vitamins.” He emphasized the necessity of implementing modern, advanced technologies to restore Burgan’s former production levels.

The field, which began production in 1946, is now showing signs of wear, and without intervention, its output will continue to fall. Al-Harami urged the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation to act swiftly, partnering with major international oil companies to introduce the necessary technologies. He warned that if no action is taken, Kuwait’s ability to produce the targeted 3 million barrels of oil per day could be jeopardized. As one of the country’s most important resources, revitalizing Burgan Field is key to sustaining Kuwait’s position in the global oil market. Al-Harami highlighted the urgent need for KPC to collaborate with international oil companies to revitalize the Burgan Field, one of the world’s top 10 oil reserves.

Al-Harami pointed out that other Gulf countries, such as the UAE, have successfully partnered with foreign companies to enhance production, and Kuwait must follow suit. Although some efforts are underway, he emphasized that international firms possess the rapid solutions required to address the field’s declining output. Al-Harami noted that the temporary absence of the National Assembly offers a unique window of opportunity.

In the past, members of parliament obstructed the entry of foreign companies, but now KPC can expedite these partnerships to drive an “oil industrial renaissance” in Kuwait. This, he believes, is essential for achieving the corporation’s production targets. However, the recurring changes in leadership, particularly the rotation of KPC’s CEO every four years, have hindered long-term strategic planning. An informed source also told Al- Seyassah that Ahmed Al-Eidan, CEO of Kuwait Oil Company, has emphasized the need to boost production capacity, especially in the Burgan Field, which previously produced 2.4 million barrels per day. Al-Eidan’s focus includes increasing drilling operations and expanding oil exploration, as part of a broader strategy to reach the country’s ambitious goal of producing 4 million barrels of crude oil by 2035.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff