Saudi Arabia and Kuwait urge Iran to engage in talks to de-escalate the Al-Durra gas field row

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have asserted unique possession of the Al-Durra fuel discipline within the maritime “Divided Space” after tensions with Iran rose as soon as once more within the long-running dispute over the profitable website.

The Saudi minister of overseas affairs reaffirmed the joint possession, calling on Iran to have interaction in negotiations to demarcate the japanese border of the realm. 

The Kuwaiti oil minister additionally rejected Iran’s claims over the sector and urged Tehran to provoke discussions in regards to the space.

In a press release launched by the Saudi Press Company on Tuesday, a International Ministry supply emphasised the pure sources within the “Divided Space” are solely owned by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. 

“We renew our earlier requires Iran to start out negotiations to demarcate the japanese border of the submerged divided space between the Kingdom and Kuwait, as one negotiating celebration reverse the Iranian aspect,” the ministry said.

Following Saudi Arabia’s declaration, Kuwait additionally asserted its unique rights over the Al-Durra fuel discipline. In response to state information company KUNA, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Saad Al-Barrak expressed robust opposition to Iran’s deliberate actions within the space. 

“We categorically and completely reject Iran’s deliberate actions across the premises of the Al-Durra offshore fuel discipline,” Al-Barrak stated, 

In an interview with Asharq throughout the eighth Group of the Petroleum Exporting International locations’s Worldwide Seminar, he added: “Iran should first enter into the demarcation of worldwide borders, and after that, whoever has a proper will get it in line with the foundations of worldwide regulation.”

A supply near Kuwait’s International Ministry revealed to KUNA that the “maritime space the place Al-Durra offshore discipline lies is a part of the State of Kuwait’s sea territories, and the pure sources therein are shared between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,” dismissing any claims by Iran.

The supply added: “Solely the state of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have unique rights to the pure sources of the Al-Durra discipline.”

This assertion solidifies Kuwait’s place and underscores the shared possession between the 2 neighboring international locations.

The dispute over the Al-Durra fuel discipline has been ongoing for a few years. In March, Kuwait and Iran held joint negotiations in Tehran, emphasizing the necessity to resolve the matter in accordance with worldwide legal guidelines. 

Iran’s persistence in pursuing actions within the space nonetheless provides to the complexity of the dispute and poses challenges to attaining a decision.

The Al-Durra fuel discipline is a standard submerged space between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait situated within the Arabian Gulf. It’s located throughout the Al-Hasa Governorate, which is part of the Jap Province of Saudi Arabia. 

The invention of this oil discipline dates again to the Sixties, which coincided with the graduation of the demarcation course of for the maritime borders between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The possession of the sector was evenly divided between the 2 international locations, turning into efficient in 1970. 

The fuel discipline is without doubt one of the largest on this planet with ample pure fuel reserves. 

It’s anticipated to supply 1 billion cubic ft of fuel day by day and 84,000 barrels per day of condensate, and performs a major function in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait’s fuel manufacturing.

The Al-Durra oil discipline’s strategic significance and the potential wealth it holds have attracted the eye of neighboring international locations, significantly Iran. 

The dispute over its possession and exploitation rights arises from differing interpretations of maritime boundaries and conflicting claims by Tehran. 

In 2001, Iran started granting contracts for its exploration, which prompted Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to finalize the demarcation of their maritime borders, which included the Al-Durra oil discipline.

Regardless of objections from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait signed an settlement in 2022 to collectively develop and discover the sector. 

IN NUMBERS

• 1 billion cubic ft estimated day by day fuel manufacturing.

• 84,000 barrels estimated day by day manufacturing of liquefied pure fuel.

The controversies surrounding the operations escalated following Iran’s announcement in June that it was ready to start drilling within the Al-Durra fuel discipline.

Mohsen Khojsteh Mehr, the managing director of the Nationwide Iranian Oil Co., indicated that Iran is allocating sizeable sources for exploring the positioning. 

“Appreciable sources have been allotted to the board of administrators of the Nationwide Iranian Oil Co. for the implementation of the event plan for this discipline,” stated Mehr, in line with Iranian state media.  

Regardless of makes an attempt at negotiations and agreements between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, a definitive decision to the dispute has remained elusive, resulting in ongoing tensions and disagreements within the area.

The competing claims and Iran’s readiness to start drilling within the Al-Durra discipline additional exacerbate the tensions within the area. 

Because the state of affairs unfolds, it stays to be seen whether or not diplomatic negotiations or different means will likely be employed to achieve a mutually agreeable decision between the involved events.