Introduction

Sheikh Dr. Nimr Fahd al-Malik al-Sabah, Deputy Oil Minister of Kuwait, said that the Kuwaiti-Saudi Standing Joint Committee discussed at its meeting today, Sunday, the accelerating pace of work and achievements in oil projects related to the divided zone.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Work in the Joint Operations Area

Sheikh Nimr Al Sabah added in a press statement released by the ministry that the committee’s meeting is taking place at a very important time to monitor and evaluate work in the Joint Operations Area, including Al Wafra and Al Khafji.

Importance of Completing and Implementing the Memorandum of Understanding

Sheikh Nimr, who is the head of the Kuwaiti side at the meeting, said the committee stressed the importance of completing and implementing the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in 2019, overcoming any problems facing oil projects and working on the development and exploitation of natural resources in the divided area to meet the growth in domestic demand that will be achieved through this support and growth in various vital sectors, citing the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA.

Visualization Study of the Road and Special Corridor

He mentioned that the committee reviewed the visualization study of the road and special corridor for joint operations (Khafji and Wafra) through the ports of Nuwaysib and Al Khafji, since the study includes engineering plans for a special road and a special corridor that will be allocated to employees of joint operations and contractors.

Fulfillment of Operational Requirements

He stressed that the study took into account the vision for the future, plans for joint operations and the fulfillment of operational requirements, as this allows workers and equipment to move easily and smoothly through border crossings, noting that this move is in line with the provisions between the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding.

Upgrades to Ease Oil Projects and Ensure Safety

Sheikh Nimr Al-Sabah said the upgrades will ease the oil projects associated with the split zone and ensure the ease of work associated with joint operations and the safety of workers in operating companies, which include Aramco Gulf Operations Company and Saudi Arabian Chevron Company, in addition to Kuwait Gulf Oil Company, and in any extraordinary or exceptional circumstances.

Latest Developments and Reports on Oil Operations

He added that the committee discussed the latest developments in issues related to joint operations, including Wafra and Al-Khafji, and also discussed reports on oil operations in the onshore Divided Zone and the adjacent maritime Divided Zone.

Establishment of the Permanent Joint Kuwaiti-Saudi Committee

A permanent joint Kuwaiti-Saudi committee was established in accordance with the agreement on the division of the neutral zone signed between the two parties in 1965. He reports directly to the oil and energy ministers of both sides.

Efforts for Proper Exploitation of Shared Natural Resources

The Committee is working to ensure that efforts continue to be made for the proper exploitation of the shared natural resources, to conduct appropriate studies in this regard and to explore new licenses, contracts and concessions related to the divided territory.

Composition and Meetings of the Committee

On the Kuwaiti side, the committee is chaired by the Deputy Minister of Oil, Sheikh Dr. Nimr Al-Sabah, and includes officials from the oil ministries and the interior ministry. It meets regularly as the standing joint committee presents its reports and recommendations to the ministers.

Agreements and MOUs

Notably, an agreement with the Saudi side to divide the flooded area adjacent to the area to be divided was signed in 2000, in addition to the signing of the attached agreement and MOU regarding reproduction in the divided area on December 24, 2019, all of which are considered added to the partition 1965 neutral zone agreements.