Kuwait’s Lower Fars heavy oil project is finally up and running after years of delays. State upstream firm KOC confirmed the start of heavy oil production on 24 February, although no figure for current output was provided. The development will help reverse recent crude oil production capacity declines (MEES, 20 December 2019).

This Phase One Lower Fars development is slated to bring output of heavy oil from South Ratqa up to 60,000 b/d over a period of around six months from start-up (MEES, 14 December 2018). KOC has previously stated that initial production would be 11,000 b/d, but it is unclear if that is still the case (MEES, 19 April 2019). (CONTINUED - 854 WORDS)