Drilling at Kuwait’s Durra Field to Start this Year

Drilling at Kuwait’s Durra Field to Start this Year
TT

Drilling at Kuwait’s Durra Field to Start this Year

Drilling at Kuwait’s Durra Field to Start this Year

Procedures for drilling and construction work on the Durra gas field will begin later this year after engineering studies wrap up later this summer, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s (KPC) CEO Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah told Reuters on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait affirm they jointly own rights to natural resources in Durra while Iran claims a stake in the Gulf's gas field.

Sheikh Nawaf said the company plans to invest 7 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($22.92 billion) on its upstream operations over the next five years.

He also said that KPC would reach a production capacity of 3.2 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of this year and expects to increase that to 4 million bpd by 2035.

Earlier, the CEO of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation told CNBC Arabia that production operations in offshore reservoirs require seven years. “But we expect to start production from Al-Nokhatha field within a shorter period of time,” he said.

The CEO noted that the oil and gas discovery at Al-Nokhatha field supports Kuwait’s strategy to increase its capacity to 4 million bpd by 2035.

On Wednesday, State-owned Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) announced preparations to begin digging six new exploratory wells in the country’s territorial waters, which contains large hydrocarbon resources.

The announcement came after KPC said on Sunday it had made a “giant” oil discovery in the Al-Nokhatha field, with oil reserves estimated at 3.2 billion barrels.



Saudia Group Signs Deal with Lilium to Purchase 100 eVTOL Jets

The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA
The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA
TT

Saudia Group Signs Deal with Lilium to Purchase 100 eVTOL Jets

The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA
The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA

The Saudia Group signed on Thursday a deal to purchase 100 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jets from the German company Lilium, a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM).

The agreement includes 50 confirmed aircraft and 50 optional aircraft.

The deal, which will make Saudia the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium, is an extension of the memorandum of understanding signed between the Saudia Group and the Germany-based air taxi developer in October 2022 during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh.

According to the deal, the Saudia Group is scheduled to receive its first electric aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2026, coinciding with the launch of eVTOL aircraft flights by the Saudi Private Aviation Company.

The electric aircraft included in the deal are among the first fully eVTOL, where these aircraft can take off and land vertically, eliminating the need for traditional airports. These aircraft can cover a distance of up to 175 kilometers at a speed of up to 250 kilometers per hour, offering significant time savings for individual travelers compared to other options and accommodating six passengers.

This deal will contribute to providing more flights and reducing travel time by up to 90%, including to tourist destinations that typically require long travel times. It also offers an effective solution for transportation in congested areas, reducing traffic and saving time. Additionally, it expands the range of premium services for VIP guests, providing a seamless and luxurious travel experience, which will also enhance tourism and business in the Kingdom.

The Saudia Group's agreement with Lilium aligns with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The deal will help boost the tourism, entertainment, and sports sectors, facilitate the transport of guests from around the world, and support the goal of transporting 330 million passengers and 150 million visits. Moreover, it will provide easy movement for pilgrims during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, aligning with the target of receiving 30 million Umrah performers.