Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Discover New Oil Reserve in North Wafra Field
RIYADH/KUWAIT CITY – Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have jointly confirmed the discovery of a significant new oil reserve in the North Wafra Wara-Burgan field, situated approximately 5 kilometers north of the existing Wafra oil field within the Partitioned Neutral Zone (PNZ) — a shared oil-producing area between the two Gulf states.
According to an official joint statement released on Monday, crude oil began to flow from the Wara reservoir in the Wara-Burgan-1 exploratory well, yielding more than 500 barrels per day (bpd). The crude extracted has an API gravity of 26 to 27 degrees, classifying it as medium-grade oil.
This is the first significant oil discovery in the Partitioned Neutral Zone since Saudi Arabia and Kuwait restarted joint production in mid-2020, after a five-year suspension caused by disputes over sovereignty and operational management. The Wafra and Khafji fields — both part of the PNZ — had remained dormant from 2015 until both nations signed agreements to restart operations.
Officials from Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC) and Saudi Arabian Chevron, which jointly manage the Wafra operations, hailed the discovery as a “strategic development” that strengthens both nations’ roles as reliable global energy suppliers.
They emphasized that the find reflects growing technological capabilities and cooperation in exploration and development in one of the world’s most geopolitically sensitive oil regions.
Earlier this year, Saudi Aramco revealed the discovery of 14 new oil and gas fields located in the Eastern Province and the Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter), highlighting the kingdom’s ongoing efforts to expand hydrocarbon production in response to rising global energy needs.
The new North Wafra find is expected to undergo further testing and appraisal to assess its full production potential. Meanwhile, both countries are reportedly evaluating plans for potential infrastructure expansion to support commercial output from the new site.
