What are the main challenges in Kuwait’s energy sector?

The past few years have been challenging for the oil and gas sector because of the demand disruption, which translated into a considerable reduction in general oil and gas activities, including drilling and workover. Activities have started bouncing back since the start of 2022. In the past year, we have been awarded quite a significant number of contracts, most notably long-term contracts for the supply of artificial lift pumps – electric submersible pumps (ESP) and progressive cavity pumps (PCP) – in addition to wellheads. This year’s focus is to help KOC improve the efficiency of its operations, from drilling to managing production and all through digital oilfields to achieve Kuwait’s strategic goal of 4 million bopd production by 2040.

Kuwait possesses the reserves to reach this target, yet it must face several challenges, first and foremost of which is increasing drilling operations. Furthermore, like in most mature oilfields, Kuwait faces the problem of increased water production. We are working closely with KOC and Joint Operations (JO) on this matter, having already introduced some unique technologies in Burgan to help them treat water efficiently and quickly.

How receptive is Kuwait to new technological solutions?

Kuwait has consistently proven to be very receptive to introducing and implementing novel technology. Historically, SLB has often introduced its newest technologies and solutions within Kuwait thanks to KOC’s approach to technological innovation both regionally and globally. KOC devotes many resources to this dimension and continuously collaborates with their suppliers and contractors to tackle technological challenges.

What are the key projects you have been working on?

We recently introduced water treatment modular mini plants for deployment in Burgan, which are each designed to treat up to 75,000 barrels of water per day. Besides that, we are working tirelessly on the digital front. We are unique in Kuwait in this regard because we have set up a digital strategy with KOC for over a decade. Our petrotechnical consultants have worked closely with KOC for the past 20-30 years, and we are thus ready to go to the next level: integrating the digital aspect into the actual field operations. We are doing this in the Jurassic field, which we aim to make the first digitally integrated field in the world once completed. The Jurassic project began in 2010 and started the first digital oilfield development in the region.

The Jurassic project will go beyond a standard digital gas field, namely data and insights collection, to become an intelligent oilfield using digital technologies to drive cost efficiencies, optimisation, efficiency and production targets. This cutting-edge digital gasfield will integrate all the production operations by linking the subsurface with the facilities through full automation, AI, and instrumentation. It is an essential priority for KOC and KPC, and we expect great results to materialise soon.