Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia in Dispute over Gas Field

 

Iran Asserts Rights to Disputed Gas Field amid Regional Tensions

Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are in dispute over a gas field in the Gulf. The dispute has the potential to escalate and could have implications for regional stability and energy markets

Iranian Oil Minister, Javad Owji, recently stated that his country would not hesitate to "pursue its rights" in the contested natural gas field located in the resource-rich Gulf if negotiations with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were to falter. 

The offshore area, known as Arash in Iran and Dorra in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, has long been a point of contention among the three nations. 

According to the official Shana news agency, Owji emphasized that Iran has been seeking the path of "negotiation and understanding" with its neighbors. 

However, if there is no desire for cooperation, Tehran will protect its interests regarding the exploration and exploitation of the disputed field. 

He further emphasized that Iran would not bear any violation of its rights, underscoring the seriousness of the matter. 

History of Gas Field

The dispute over this gas field has a complex history, dating back to the 1960s when Iran and Kuwait awarded separate offshore concessions to British and Dutch oil companies. 

The concessions overlapped in the northern part of the field, which is estimated to hold approximately 220 billion cubic meters of recoverable reserves.

Efforts for the resolution of the dispute have been getting for years. However, Iran and Kuwait are engaging in unsuccessful talks over their disputed maritime border area. The area which is abundant in natural gas. 

Despite of the objections by Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement last year to jointly develop the field. The move Tehran condemned as "illegal." 

Tensions escalated earlier this month when Kuwait invited Iran for another round of maritime border talks, following Iran's announcement of its readiness to begin drilling in the contested field. 

Response of Kuwait

In response, Kuwait's Oil Minister, Saad al-Barrak, declared that his country would proceed with "drilling and production" in the area without waiting for a border demarcation deal with Iran. 

The situation adds to the already complex regional dynamics in the Middle East, where tensions between major powers have often influenced decisions related to natural resources. 

Glimmer of Hope

However, there is a glimmer of hope for reduced tensions as Saudi Arabia and Iran recently ended a seven-year rift through a Chinese-brokered rapprochement deal. 

As the situation uncover, the international community will closely monitor the actions of the parties involved and their efforts to reach a resolution through diplomatic means. 

The disputed gas field holds significant economic importance, and any escalation could have broader implications for regional stability and energy markets. 

In conclusion, the Arash/Dorra gas field dispute remains a sensitive and challenging issue for Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. 

While Iran emphasizes its pursuit of rights through negotiation, the recent developments in the region raise concerns about potential escalation. 

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)