Kuwait’s ambitious hydrocarbon development programme highlights the importance of systematic infrastructure planning in securing long-term energy stability. At the centre of this effort is the Kuwait Oil Company’s extensive drilling programme, which combines large-scale field development with advanced digital technologies to maximise production capacity, extend asset life and improve operational efficiency.
Between 2023 and 2025, Kuwait Oil Company completed 1,337 new oil wells, excluding non-associated gas wells, reflecting a clear strategic focus on crude oil optimisation. Alongside new drilling, the company carried out repairs on 5,783 existing production wells, keeping shut-in wells below four percent. These restoration efforts alone are expected to add more than 10,000 barrels per day to output in 2025, demonstrating how systematic maintenance can deliver meaningful production gains while improving capital efficiency.
Onshore drilling activities are largely concentrated on infill development within established fields, allowing the company to leverage existing infrastructure and reduce development costs. By increasing drilling depths in wells already under development, Kuwait Oil Company has achieved significant cost savings while enhancing recovery from proven reservoirs.
A defining feature of the programme is its emphasis on digital transformation. Dedicated innovation and digital teams have been established to modernise IT systems and support data-driven operations across drilling and production. Artificial intelligence and big data analytics are being applied to optimise drilling performance, automate data processing and enable predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and improving real-time decision-making.
Production systems have been further strengthened through the integration of electric submersible pump data into central lift management platforms, providing continuous visibility over artificial lift performance. Historical geological and drilling records have also been digitised, creating a comprehensive database that supports advanced reservoir modelling and long-term development planning. Real-time dashboards now provide live operational insights, allowing teams to respond quickly to performance changes and optimisation opportunities.
These operational improvements align with Kuwait’s broader production strategy, which targets capacity of four million barrels per day by 2035, with sustained output through 2040. In the near term, the focus remains on restoring underperforming wells and drilling in high-potential zones, while longer-term success depends on continued technology adoption, enhanced recovery techniques and infrastructure expansion.
Cost optimisation remains central to the programme. Digital automation, predictive maintenance and targeted drilling strategies have reduced manual intervention and lowered operating costs, while ongoing investment in advanced equipment and data systems ensures the company remains competitive in a volatile global oil market.
Overall, the Kuwait Oil Company drilling programme reflects a disciplined balance between immediate production gains and long-term capacity development. Through systematic planning, digital innovation and operational excellence, it provides a strong foundation for sustained output, improved efficiency and enhanced energy security in an increasingly complex global energy landscape.
