Burgan Field

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Much of western and southern Kuwait is home to some of the largest oil fields in the world. The dark patch of land in southern Kuwait is where the Al-Burqan oil field is located.

The onshore Burgan Field in the desert of southeastern Kuwait is one of the world's largest and richest oil fields. After its discovery in February, 1938, the USA & UK owned Gulf Oil Corporation began commercial oil production at Burgan in 1946. Kabeer Burgan, is so rich that it is one of the world's easiest production sites. There are no rising and falling oil derricks at Burgan like the ones seen at other oil fields. That is because oil practically flows to the surface on its own. Burgan has helped Kuwait become one of the largest oil exporters on the planet. Burgan accounts for more than half of Kuwait's proven oil reserves.

The total oil production capacity of Burgan Field has been somewhat controversial. The US Energy Information Administration estimates that the Greater Burgan field, including the Burgan, Magwa, and Ahmadi structures has a production capacity of around 1.6 million barrels per day. [1] On the other hand, Simmons & Co. estimates Burgan field produces 2.2 mbd.

In 1991, retreating Iraqi soldiers set Burgan Field on fire. Smoke plumes from the Greater Burgan oil field extended 50 kilometers in width on any given day, and 2.5 km thick. From satellite observations the plume appeared like a black snake in the desert that extended parallel to the Persian Gulf (EOS Project NASA Goddard Space Flight Center). The Red Adair Service and Marine Company extinguished 117 of the burning oilwell fires. Declassified 1991 USA CIA documents showed that despite the destruction there was no significant depletion of the oil reserves and production capacity of Burgan field.[2] Most of Burgan Field was rebuilt, but three gathering stations were too badly damaged to repair and remained as unofficial monuments to the destruction.

In November 2005, Farouk Al Zanki, Chairman of state-owned Kuwait Oil, reported that the Burgan oil field production levels are running down. Burgan will now produce 1.7 mbpd rather than 2 mbpd for the rest of its 30 to 40 years. He said that engineers had tried to maintain 1.9 million barrels per day but that 1.7 million is the optimum rate.