KOC drills 2,428 oil wells in 5 years

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 17: Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has achieved a huge leap in its exploration and production operations, thereby recording an exceptional accomplishment. The newspaper obtained a copy of the official report issued by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), confirming the success of the company in drilling 2,428 wells for crude oil production, excluding non-associated gas, within the five years ending on March 31, 2026. The last fiscal year recorded the highest rate of drilling, as 751 wells were completed. This achievement coincided with the maintenance and repair operations in 2,034 wells for crude oil production (excluding nonassociated gas) during the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2026 alone.

The same official report stated that during the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2026, the company drilled 57 deep wells for exploring and developing Jurassic gas reservoirs. This is a remarkable increase compared to 40 wells drilled in the previous fiscal year. This achievement is attributed to KOC’s adoption of advanced technological solutions and its tireless efforts to develop infrastructure, in addition to strengthening the integration mechanisms between reservoir management, wells and surface facilities. Despite this intensive operational activity and exceptional performance, the average production of non-associated gas by the end of the fiscal year remained below the approved annual target. The report explained that the difference between the actual and target production is 100 percent due to constraints outside the direct operational control of KOC. It also revealed that during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, KOC implemented the replacement project for the low-pressure gas network in Shuaiba Industrial Area.

This project ensures the continuity and stability of gas fuel supplies to essential facilities, specifically the power generation plants of the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy. The report added that drilling operations witnessed the introduction of advanced technologies for the first time in the field of Jurassic gas well drilling, including the application of integrated automated drilling systems that enable real-time connection between the wellbore and surface. This technology develops drilling standards, raises operational efficiency, reduces drilling time and improves performance.

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff