Kuwait Makes Three Oil Discoveries

An oil rig drilling a well at sunrise, owned by Parsley Energy Inc. near Midland, Texas, U.S., May 3, 2017. Picture taken May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder
An oil rig drilling a well at sunrise, owned by Parsley Energy Inc. near Midland, Texas, U.S., May 3, 2017. Picture taken May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder
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Kuwait Makes Three Oil Discoveries

An oil rig drilling a well at sunrise, owned by Parsley Energy Inc. near Midland, Texas, U.S., May 3, 2017. Picture taken May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder
An oil rig drilling a well at sunrise, owned by Parsley Energy Inc. near Midland, Texas, U.S., May 3, 2017. Picture taken May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder

Kuwait's Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water Dr. Mohammad Al-Faris announced Monday the discovery of two new oil fields for the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) in different regions of the country, in addition to the discovery of the extension for the northern part of the Great Burgan field within the framework of the development operations.

In a statement to Kuwait's State News Agency, AI-Faris said that the first discovery was in a field northwest of the country, while the second in Al-Qash'aniya north kuwait.

The discovery acquires great economic importance as it sheds light on the large undiscovered areas in the western and northwestern part of Kuwait, which contribute directly to increasing oil reserves and production capacity, according to KOCT's 2040 strategic plan, he said.

Al-Faris also noted the two new discoveries add strategic importance to the northern part of Kuwait, as the area has not been explored before.

A conventional oil field was also discovered in the north of the Great Burgan field, as oil flowed in commercial quantities from several wells drilled during 2020 to determine the extent of the field at a daily production rate of more than 2,000 barrels, according to Al-Faris.

The results reached give KOC access to easy and low-cost reserves, which supports the company's efforts to maintain its competitive advantage between countries and oil companies, indicating that the company will drill new wells in the discovered fields to boost production quantities, he said.

Al-Faris praised the success of KOC in achieving these three discoveries in 2020 despite all the conditions that the country faced in light of the emerging covid-1 outbreak.



Gold Hits Three-week Peak on Softer Dollar and Safe Haven Inflows

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Hits Three-week Peak on Softer Dollar and Safe Haven Inflows

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices touched their highest level in three weeks on Friday supported by a softer dollar and safe-haven buying, while markets braced for potential economic and interest rate changes from US President-elect Donald Trump's proposed policies.

Spot gold was little changed at $2,658.11 per ounce, as of 1115 GMT, hitting its highest level since Dec. 13. Bullion is up about 1.5% for the week so far.

US gold futures were steady at $2,672.20.

The dollar index fell 0.3% from over a two-year high hit in the previous session, making dollar-priced bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies, Reuters reported.

"Gold bulls are setting the tone early doors this year, enjoying the lift from safe haven bids while riskier equities struggle to hold on to nascent gains," said Exinity Group Chief Market Analyst Han Tan.

On the geopolitical front, in Gaza Israeli airstrikes killed at least 68 Palestinians, Gaza authorities said. While, Russia launched a drone strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Wednesday, city officials said.

Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 has heightened uncertainty, with his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies expected by many economists to be inflationary and potentially spark trade wars.

"Markets are aware that Trump's policies risk reawakening US inflationary impulses, which should be a boon for gold so long as markets adhere to the precious metal’s role as an inflation hedge," Tan added.

Bullion, which is considered a hedge against economic and geopolitical uncertainties, tends to thrive in lower interest rate environment.

After delivering three consecutive interest rate cuts in 2024, the US central bank now projects only two reductions in 2025 due to due to stubbornly high inflation.

Spot silver rose 0.6% to $29.75 per ounce.

"Lower real US yields and stronger global industrial production should favor the metal in 2025," UBS said in a note, adding that they see silver to trade between $36-38/oz in 2025.

Platinum added 0.8% to $930.09, and palladium gained 1.2% to $922.58. Both metals were on track for weekly gains.