News
& Events

Dr. Nimir Al-Sabah: The "Kuwait-Saudi Permanent Joint Committee" discussed accelerating the divided zone projects

03-07-2022

Review the strategic plans, the existing and future major projects, and the obstacles facing the implementation of the plans The Kuwaiti-Saudi Permanent Joint Committee held its meeting this morning, Sunday, July 3, 2022 AD, at the headquarters of the joint Wafra operations in the State of Kuwait, in the presence of the Chairman of the Permanent Joint Committee and the head of the Kuwaiti side - Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Brahim, and in the presence of members from the Kuwaiti and Saudi sides, some points on the meeting agenda were discussed. Sheikh Dr. Nimir Fahad Al-Malik Al-Sabah said, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Oil, that the meeting of the Kuwaiti-Saudi joint committee comes at a very important time to follow up and evaluate the work in the joint operations, including Wafra and Al-Khafji, and the permanent joint committee stressed the completion and implementation of the terms of the memorandum of understanding. Signed between the State of Kuwait and the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2019, overcoming any challenges facing petroleum projects, and working to develop and exploit the natural resources in the divided region to meet the growth of domestic demand, which will be achieved from this support and growth in various vital sectors. Sheikh Dr. Nimir Fahad Al-Malik Al-Sabah explained that the permanent joint committee reviewed the study of the conception of the road and the special corridor for joint operations (Khafji and Wafra) through the Nuwaiseeb and Khafji ports. The study takes into account the future vision and plans for joint operations, to meet the operational requirements and allow workers and equipment to move easily and smoothly through the border crossings, and this step comes in line with what was stipulated in the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries. Within the practical framework, Sheikh Dr. Nimir Fahad Al-Malik Al-Sabah noted the agreement between the two sides to update the working mechanisms of the permanent joint committee, and this will include developing the means of communication and communication between the two sides, using new technologies in the administrative aspects and holding meetings, which contributes to accelerating the pace of work and achievements. This is to facilitate the petroleum projects related to the divided zone, and to ensure the facilitation of the work related to the joint operations, and the safety of workers in the operating companies, which include Aramco Gulf Operations, Saudi Arabian Chevron, in addition to the Kuwait Gulf Oil Company, and to face any emergency or exceptional circumstances. strategic plans The head of the Kuwaiti side of the permanent joint committee revealed the review of the meeting of the permanent joint committee with the Saudi side, the latest developments of issues related to joint operations, including Al-Wafra and Al-Khafji. The meeting also discussed the reports of petroleum operations in the land divided zone and the submerged divided zone adjacent to it. This review includes strategic plans, existing and future major projects, obstacles facing the implementation of plans, if any, environment and safety, development and training of national labor and the use of advanced modern technologies in petroleum operations. Reviewing the work progress report in the permanent office of the Joint Committee, examining the plans prepared for emergency cases and the procedures followed, in the current period, and contributing to their development on a regular and continuous basis. It is worth noting that the Kuwaiti/Saudi Permanent Joint Committee was established in accordance with the agreement to divide the Neutral Zone signed between the two sides in 1965, and it directly reports to the Ministers of Oil and Energy from both sides, and one of the committee’s most important functions is to facilitate traffic and procedures for workers in petroleum companies in the divided zone. Ensuring the continuation of efforts to make good use of the common natural resources, conducting related studies in this regard, and studying new licenses, contracts and concessions related to the divided zone. Note that the committee is headed on the Kuwaiti side by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil, Dr. Nimir Fahad Al-Sabah, and its membership includes officials from the Ministry of Oil and the Ministry of Interior. The Committee holds its meetings on a regular basis, where the Permanent Joint Committee presents its reports and recommendations to His Excellency the Ministers. It is also mentioned that an agreement was signed with the Saudi side on the division of the submerged area adjacent to the divided area in 2000 AD, in addition to the signing of the annexed agreement and the memorandum of understanding on re-production in the divided area on December 24, 2019, all of which are considered annexed to the agreement on dividing the neutral area 1965 AD.