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Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has announced a new discovery in the Al-Jazah offshore natural gas field

According to a KOC statement, the initial exploration well recorded the highest production rate from a vertical well in the Minagish formation in Kuwait’s history.
Initial tests at the Jazah-1 well indicate production exceeding 29 million cubic feet per day (mcf/d) of natural gas and more than 5,000 barrels a day of condensate, according to the statement.

With an area estimated at around 40 sq. km, the field is estimated to hold potential reserves of around one trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas and more than 120 mn barrels of condensate, which may be revised upwards with further exploration in surrounding areas.

KOC said the reservoir has low CO2, no hydrogen sulfide and no associated water.

The new discovery follows other offshore discoveries including the Nokhatha field discovery last year, which is estimated at about 2.1bn barrels of oil and 5.1 trillion cubic feet of gas, and the Julaiah field early this year, described by KOC CEO Ahmad Jaber Al Eidan as a “strategic breakthrough.”

This is a result of KOC’s push to develop its offshore resources as it seeks to boost gas output and reduce its dependence on imported LNG. Phase 1 of its offshore exploration programme, consisting of the drilling of six wells, is underway, with planning for Phase Il also underway, with nine additional locations identified for further exploration and appraisal, according to Al Eidan.

Kuwait is the fifth-largest producer in OPEC, currently producing approximately 2.7mn bpd of oil, with plans to increase its production capacity to 4mn bpd by 2035. Al Eidan commented in an earlier interview with Oil Review Middle East, “Our strategy focuses on optimising production from mature assets, accelerating the development of high-potential reservoirs, and unlocking new growth frontiers, both onshore and offshore, to ensure sustainable and resilient capacity growth.”

He said the new offshore discoveries “significantly expand Kuwait's hydrocarbon frontier beyond the onshore legacy and add a new dimension to our long-term production sustainability,” adding that offshore development will play an increasingly vital role in KOC’s production mix in the coming decade.

Middle East-based natural gas company, Dana Gas PJSC, and exploration and production company, Crescent Petroleum, have started commercial gas sales from the KM250 gas expansion project (KM250) at the Khor Mor facility in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq 

The KM250 will add 250 mn standard cu/ft per day of new processing capacity, a 50% increase, boosting Khor Mor’s total output to 750 mn stamndard cu/ft per day. This can support Iraq’s burgeoning power demand by delivering significant new volumes of clean-burning natural gas.

The US$1.1bn project was backed by financing from the Bank of Sharjah, the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and proceeds from Pearl Petroleum’s US$350mn senior secured bond issued in 2024 and listed on Nordic Alternative Bond Market. The project generated employment for more than 10,000 people and involved the delivery of more than 6,000 tonnes of steel and 6.2 mn man-hours, making it one of the largest private-sector infrastructure builds in Iraq in recent years.

Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum and board managing director of Dana Gas, said, “Delivering KM250 ahead of schedule marks a significant achievement for Crescent Petroleum, Dana Gas, and our Pearl Consortium partners. This accomplishment highlights our ongoing dedication to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, demonstrates our capacity to unlock its vast energy resources, and reinforces our commitment to generating jobs, enhancing local services, and providing cleaner, more reliable energy for the Region and the Country.”

“I am especially grateful for the strong support of the KRG and local authorities, whose cooperation helped us overcome challenges and sustain momentum throughout the project. I would also like to recognise the outstanding leadership of Richard Hall, CEO of Dana Gas, who navigated the complex dynamics and guided the project to successful completion eight months ahead of schedule.”

Richard Hall, CEO, Dana Gas, said, “Completing KM250 early is a huge milestone for Dana Gas and reflects the hands-on approach we brought to the project in the absence of the main contractor. By assuming operational oversight, Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum were able to focus delivery, resolve issues quickly, and restore momentum – yielding real results on the ground.

“The additional capacity strengthens our production profile and is expected to deliver substantial annual revenue for Dana Gas. It also supports our mission to deliver stable, cleaner energy to KRI communities, reduce diesel dependence and advance the region’s ambition for 24-hour electrification.”

Aramco, Honeywell and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are collaborating to scale up the development of Crude-to-Chemicals (CTC) technology in a bid to maximise the value of crude oil and reduce costs associated with CTC conversion 

The new CTC pathway will entail converting crude oil directly into light olefins and other high-demand chemicals, resulting in improved fuel efficiency, carbon utilisation, and process economics—allowing for more efficient and cost-effective production at scale.

The collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by helping to advance economic diversification, build national research and technology capabilities, and strengthen the Kingdom’s position in the global chemicals market, combining academia and industry expertise to accelerate technology development and national capabilities.

Dr. Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco senior vice president of technology oversight & coordination, said, “This collaboration with Honeywell UOP and KAUST furthers Aramco's efforts to drive innovation and shape the future of petrochemicals. By harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies, we aim to enhance energy efficiency and unlock increased value from every barrel of crude. This novel Crude-to-Chemicals process is aligned with our vision of supporting the global transition towards cleaner, high-performance chemical production. Moreover, this initiative demonstrates our focus on contributing to the growth of a vibrant ecosystem, where the deployment of innovative technologies can create lasting value for our stakeholders, our communities, and the environment.”

Rajesh Gattupalli, Honeywell UOP president, added, “This agreement marks a defining moment in our strategic collaboration with Aramco and KAUST – and in the global evolution of Crude-to-Chemicals technology. With Honeywell UOP’s deep expertise in catalytic process design and commercial scale-up, we’re well positioned to drive this innovation forward.”

Oil and gas companies are undergoing a seismic shift, driven by rapid digitalisation and the integration of advanced technologies, according to a new report by GlobalData for Rockwell Automation

According to the Oil and Gas Technology Outlook for 2030 and Beyond, which covers the key technologies in the oil and gas industry, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity are at the forefront of this transformation, reshaping operations from exploration to refining.

The report outlines five critical findings:

1. Digitalisation is now a strategic imperative

Companies are moving beyond isolated tech deployments to fully integrated digital ecosystems. Over 50% of industry leaders report that technologies like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI are already disrupting their operations.

2. Key drivers fuelling adoption

Technological innovation, environmental compliance, supply chain resilience, and workforce challenges are accelerating the need for digital solutions. Predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and automation are helping companies reduce downtime and improve safety.

3. Emerging technologies reshape operations

AI is being used to optimise drilling paths, forecast demand, and enhance refining processes. IoT sensors provide real-time data for equipment health and environmental monitoring. Electrification and smart motor systems are helping reduce emissions and energy costs.

4. Strategic roadmap for digital success

The report emphasises the importance of a clear digital strategy, choosing the right delivery model (e.g., SaaS or hybrid partnerships), and fostering a digital-first workforce. Companies must also stay ahead of evolving tech and data regulations.

5. AI as the central innovation engine

With projected spending in the energy sector reaching US$18.5bn by 2028, AI is enabling smarter decision-making, immersive training, and autonomous operations. Its integration with digital twins, edge computing, and VR/AR is unlocking new efficiencies across the value chain.

The report concludes that the pace of digitisation in the oil and gas industry will continue if not accelerate over coming years. The industry remains a hotbed of innovation as companies look to improve productivity, reduce downtime, and enhance safety. The pace of digitalisation also reflects the recent developments in the field of AI, which is seeing widespread application across multiple technology domains. Its integration with a range of other technologies is driving advancements and new capabilities that will further enhance innovation, performance and efficiency within the oil and gas industry.

However, digital technologies are not a core area of expertise among oil and gas companies. Considering the variety of digital solutions available in the market and the challenges that can arise when adopting these solutions, oil and gas companies need a clear digital strategy before embarking on, or widening, their digitalisation journey.

“The convergence of information and operational technology is redefining how energy companies operate,” said Fabio Mielli, strategic business developer, Rockwell Automation. “By aligning advanced digital tools with measurable production outcomes, we’re helping the industry build resilience and agility for the future.”

The full report is available from Rockwell Automation and GlobalData here.

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Project InnerSpace, an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to the global development of geothermal energy, has released GeoMap Middle East, a geothermal exploration platform that helps government, businesses and communities identify and advance geothermal opportunities

The platform integrates millions of subsurface and surface data points into a freely accessible, interactive map, and reveals vast geothermal potential in the Gulf region for cooling, long-duration energy storage, and round-the-clock power applications.

In the Middle East, geothermal can deliver the constant, low emissions energy needed to meet rising demand for cooling, with cooling driving up to 70% of peak electricity demand in the Gulf states.

Geothermal district cooling could slash that peak, easing grid strain in cities like Riyadh, Dubai, and Doha. GeoMap shows around 14,000 GW of cooling potential, with Iran, Egypt, Iraq, and Turkey providing two-thirds of capacity; Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar also hold major opportunities.

Geothermal can also complement record-breaking solar investments by providing long-duration energy storage. Geological formations across Iraq, Syria, the Gulf states, northern Saudi Arabia, and Yemen could serve as "earth batteries," storing excess solar and wind energy as heat in deep sedimentary basins and releasing it on demand to balance the growth of intermittent renewables.

The region is home to high-potential geothermal zones. The Red Sea Rift (western Saudi Arabia/northern Yemen) holds potential for gigawatt-scale power production and desalination; eastern Turkey and northern Iran also have strong power potential. Both areas hold opportunities for geothermal powered data centres.
Importantly, the Middle East is uniquely positioned to scale geothermal quickly, given the region's extensive drilling expertise and robust oil and gas industry presence, providing the know-how, workforce, and assets needed for rapid deployment.

"One of the most exciting things about the geothermal development potential in the Gulf region is the fact that the resource sits below some of the world's most capable and resourced oil and gas companies - the very entities with the required expertise to develop these resources, and the ability to deliver the speed and scale necessary to make geothermal relevant for the world," said Jamie Beard, executive director of Project InnerSpace.

GeoMap Middle East builds on previous releases of GeoMap in Africa, North America, India, Asia, and Oceania, advancing a global effort to map geothermal opportunities and make next-generation geothermal data freely accessible.