Saudi-Kuwait Wafra oilfield to remain closed, says Chevron

Operations at Wafra oilfield, which is jointly operated between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, will remain suspended until the ongoing dispute between Saudi Chevron and Kuwait Gulf Oil Co. is resolved, Sally Jones, a spokeswoman for Chevron told Reuters on Wednesday.

Wafra has been shut down since its two-week closure for maintenance, which started on May 11.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have been unable to come to a consensus over the share region, with much disagreement stemming from the right to operate it.

Saudi was said to have difficulties obtaining work permits and bringing the necessary equipment to the oilfield, the spokeswoman added.

Wafra is the largest onshore oilfield in a 5,000 square kilometer neutral zone between the two countries, which has been partitioned under a nearly 50-year-old treaty.

The shutdown follows Saudi Arabia’s decision earlier this year to halt production at Khafji, another joint oilfield between the two Gulf neighbors, over environmental concerns, according to Argaam.