Saudi-Kuwait to start work in Durra gas field, ignoring Iranian objections -

Manama: A fresh tension has been created between Saudi and Kuwait with Iran over the disputed fuel-rich sector in the Persian Gulf. Saudi and Kuwait clarified that work has started in the Durra gas field, ignoring Iranian opposition. Saudi Fuel Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman made this announcement. One billion cubic feet of fuel gas and 84,000 barrels of crude oil can be drawn from this fuel-rich sector per day. Therefore, this fuel sector will further add to the tensions reigning among the countries in the Persian Gulf.

This fuel-rich region in the Persian Gulf, known as Arash or Durra fuel field is divided among countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran. As there is no definite maritime boundary between Iran and Kuwait, both countries claim equal rights to this fuel. The field, discovered in 1967, is estimated to contain about 20 trillion cubic feet of gas. In the last few years, regional tensions have neglected the development of the Arash fuel sector.

But nearly a month and a half ago, Saudi and Kuwait took the initiative to develop this fuel sector. Fuel Ministers of Saudi and Kuwait even signed an agreement regarding this. It is claimed that 1 billion cubic feet of fuel gas will be produced from the fuel sector. The importance of the Saudi-Kuwait agreement had increased further, given the rising demand for fuel gas on the international level, against the background of the Russia-Ukraine war and the subsequent flaring up of the fuel prices. But Iran had bitterly opposed this agreement between Saudi and Kuwait.

Saying that Iran too had a right over the fuel field along with Saudi and Kuwait, Iran had criticised that the agreement signed by Saudi and Kuwait is illegal. Iran has warned that there cannot be any development in this oil sector without Iranian participation. Iran also gave indications of independent development and exploration in the oil field. The media claimed that this triggered a fresh tension in the Middle East.

In this scenario, Saudi asserted that development and exploration work has been started in the Durra oil field. An intense reaction is expected from Iran over the Saudi decision.