Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have announced a major oil discovery in the neutral zone, marking a significant advancement in their joint energy exploration efforts, according to international media reports.
According to media reports the new find is located in the North Wafra Wara-Burgan field and is producing over 500 barrels per day. This is the first major discovery since both countries restarted operations in the neutral zone in 2020, following years of inactivity.
Officials from both nations have hailed the discovery as a strategic milestone that reinforces their positions as leading global energy producers. The North Wafra site lies just five kilometers north of the existing Wafra field and is considered a key development in unlocking the potential of the partitioned zone.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the find is “highly significant” and is expected to enhance both countries’ roles in the global oil supply chain.
This breakthrough comes on the heels of several bilateral agreements, including a 2019 accord that defined the framework for shared production in the neutral zone. That agreement could eventually contribute up to 500,000 additional barrels per day to international markets.
Production at the Wafra and Khafji oilfields had previously been suspended in 2014 and 2015 but resumed operations in 2020.
The latest discovery underscores the ongoing relevance of the neutral zone in the region’s energy strategy and highlights the growing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in maximizing their joint hydrocarbon resources.
