Kuwait to Officially Exploit Al-Durra Gas Field (Arash) by 2029

The Deputy CEO of Kuwait Petroleum stated on Wednesday that the Al-Durra gas field (Arash) in the Persian Gulf is expected to be fully operational by 2029. According to Reuters, the joint development agreement between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia signed last year has faced criticism from Iran, which claims a share in the field. The Al-Durra (Arash) field has approximately 20 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves. On September 8, the ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries urged Iranian officials to abandon their 'claim of ownership over the Al-Durra oil field.' In a statement in August, the Saudi Foreign Ministry emphasized that the natural resources and the disputed gas field 'Al-Durra,' which Iran refers to as 'Arash,' exclusively belong to Riyadh and Kuwait. Iran had previously called the agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for the development of the Al-Durra (Arash) gas field 'illegal' and stated that it 'has a share in this field.' It remains unclear whether the disputes over the Arash gas field will escalate beyond rhetoric. However, tensions in the Persian Gulf have risen, and in response to the illegal seizure of commercial vessels by the Islamic Republic, the U.S. has reinforced its military presence in the region. The 'Arash' gas field was discovered in the northern Persian Gulf in 1967 by the Japanese oil company 'EOC.' The in-place gas reserve of this field is estimated at 20 trillion cubic feet, and its in-place oil reserve is close to 310 million barrels. The Gulf Cooperation Council has warned the Islamic Republic regarding uranium enrichment and the Al-Durra oil field. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have agreed to begin the development of the 'Al-Durra' (Arash) field without Iran's involvement. The dispute over the gas field continues; Saudi Arabia asserts that the 'Al-Durra' (Arash) gas field belongs to Riyadh and Kuwait. The early challenge to the Iran-Saudi agreement is marked by increasing rhetoric over the Arash gas field. The gas dispute with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continues; Iran claims it will pursue its 'rights' in the Arash field.