BNR – Saudi Arabia has stated that it, together with Kuwait, has complete title to a contested gas field in the Gulf area. Saudi Arabia, according to official media on Thursday, is responding to Iran’s assertions.
In Iran, the field is referred to as Arash, whereas in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, it is called Dorra. It is owned in partnership by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The official Saudi Press Agency reported that “they alone have full rights,” citing a foreign ministry source.
The Saudi announcement came just a single day after Kuwait welcomed Iran back to negotiations on their marine borders.
The field has been the source of contention since the 1960s when Iran and Kuwait issued conflicting maritime concessions. The potential recovery reserves of the field have been projected to be 220 billion cubic meters (seven trillion cubic feet).
Iran-Kuwait-Saudi Arabia conflict Over Gas Field
Despite Iran’s reservations, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia struck a deal to further explore the field last year. Iran declared the agreement to be unlawful.
“There is full preparation to start drilling in the joint Arash oil field,” said Mohsen Khojsteh Mehr, managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company.
According to Iranian media, he stated that the firm has devoted significant resources to the field’s growth strategy.
For many years, Iran and Kuwait have had ineffective discussions over their contested maritime border area. This region is abundant in natural gas.
Saudi Arabia is also involved in the conflict since it shares the region’s gas and oil reserves with Kuwait.
Iran’s exploration of the field in 2001 prompted Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to reach an agreement on maritime borders. The agreement called for them to work together to establish an offshore area.
Saudi Arabia and Iran struck an unexpected reconciliation accord in March, mediated by China.
They decided to re-establish ties following a seven-year cut, bolstering optimism for lower hostilities between the Middle East’s giants.
