KUWAIT: The 119th session of the Kuwait-Saudi Permanent Joint Committee, held Sunday in Khafji, Saudi Arabia, concluded with several practical outcomes aimed at improving shared oil operations. The Kuwaiti delegation was led by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil Sheikh Dr Nimer Fahad Al-Malek Al-Sabah, and the Saudi side by Assistant Minister of Energy Mohammed Al-Ibrahim. According to Kuwait’s Ministry of Oil, the meeting focused on operational improvements, infrastructure, workforce facilitation, and regulatory coordination in the shared oil zone, which includes the Khafji and Al-Wafra fields.
The committee’s work builds on a historic agreement reached in 2020 to resume oil production in the neutral zone between the two countries, which had been suspended for several years. That agreement, following the 2019 memorandum of understanding, aimed to restart production at key fields including Khafji and Al-Wafra, boosting output by around 500,000 barrels per day.
Sheikh Dr Nimer Fahad Al-Malek Al-Sabah and Assistant Minister Mohammed Al-Ibrahim.
Operations, tax coordination
The meeting marked a milestone in operational infrastructure. The committee confirmed the handover of administrative and residential buildings previously used by Chevron Saudi Arabia at the Al-Zour site. These facilities were officially transferred to the Kuwaiti government on January 20, marking a significant step in institutional coordination between the two countries.
Building on discussions from 2023, the committee opened a new dedicated route for employees at the Nuwaiseeb and Khafji crossings. Equipped with magnetic card systems, gates, and internet access, the pathway ensures smooth transit for workers and equipment to operational sites, fulfilling the vision outlined in the 2019 memorandum and the earlier 2023 plans for operational efficiency.
Committee members also reviewed plans for developing and investing in onshore and offshore fields, emphasizing timely completion and providing necessary support for engineering, technical, and construction work. These efforts continue the 2023 initiatives to accelerate project implementation and operational efficiency in the Al-Wafra and Khafji areas.
Tax procedures between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were another focus. Both sides agreed on unified mechanisms to streamline revenue collection and ensure regulatory clarity. “The chairpersons signed on the principles and procedures approved by competent authorities, in line with the laws of both countries,” Sheikh Nimer said.
He stressed the importance of holding regular committee meetings to monitor petroleum operations, overcome challenges, and support strategic projects in the shared zone. The session also celebrated the ongoing coordination between Kuwait’s Ministry of Oil and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, which has facilitated operations in Al-Wafra and Khafji while ensuring the safety of workers from Kuwait Gulf Oil Company, Aramco Gulf Operations, and Chevron Saudi Arabia. — Agencies
