A growing energy technology portfolio for Kuwait

Kuwait

Musaed Alawadhi, general manager of NOV Energy Kuwait, talks to The Energy Year about securing new key engagements from KOC and deploying advanced equipment to reduce the cost and impact of Kuwait’s oil and gas developments. NOV Energy Kuwait is a provider of equipment and technology to the global energy industry.

What have been NOV Energy Kuwait’s key achievements over the past year?
We have made significant progress with KOC, expanding our service portfolio for the company and providing new technologies. One of our most important achievements was securing our first coring services contract with KOC, something we had been pursuing for years.
The contract was awarded in two groups, and we successfully won the largest not-to-exceed value (NTEV). This will enable us to expand our localisation efforts by training and developing Kuwaiti Nationals in line with KOC and KDIPA [Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority] targets.
We also won a KOC supply contract for liner hanger with services for development drilling and workover wells, another first for us in Kuwait. Our contracts with KOC usually last for five years and are laid out with an NTEV, so our revenue each year depends on the number of jobs executed and the performance. We are particularly excited to join KOC in these new operations and expand with Wafra Joint Operations as drilling activities increase.
On the technology side, we continue to deliver high-performance solutions with products such as our Brandt Alpha Shaker, downhole motors, vibration monitoring tools, friction reduction tools and mud coolers. Our focus now is to become a reliable partner for KOC to support their environmental and performance goals.

Are you offering any specific decarbonisation technologies to KOC?
We are supporting KOC’s decarbonisation objectives as a performance partner and a critical technology provider. One standout product is the iNOVaTHERM portable treatment unit, which can treat drill cuttings both onshore and offshore at the rig site, eliminating transport costs. In a deployment in the North Sea, it helped the customer to reduce their carbon emissions by 80%, operational costs by 38% and achieved 0.04% oil on cuttings, which is well below the global environmental discharge limit.
The system can process up to 7.5 tonnes per hour and meets all offshore disposal standards. It recovers base oil, has a small footprint and supports remote monitoring with low manpower.
Another key technology is the TUNDRA MAX mud chiller, which is a cooling system for bottom hole temperature control. We are pairing it with TK-Drakon, our proprietary internal plastic coating, which we developed from our legacy in thermoplastic coatings. This combination is tailored for high-pressure, high-temperature environments and high hydrogen sulfide levels, which are extremely challenging in Kuwait’s deep oil and gas wells.
TUNDRA MAX is already being piloted in Kuwait with promising results. We are analysing data and planning wider deployment, both onshore and offshore, to lower bottom-hole temperatures. The TK-Drakon coating is also under evaluation by KOC teams, with Mutraba, palaeozoic wells and offshore fields being explored as potential candidates. Together with KOC, we will determine where these products can generate the most value.

What role are you seeking to play in the upcoming drilling campaigns in Mutraba and offshore?
We are well-positioned to support Kuwait’s ramp-up in drilling activity, both in Mutraba and in the recent offshore discoveries. Our technologies can significantly reduce the carbon footprint and improve drilling for Kuwait’s deepest wells, both onshore and offshore. Additionally, we are upgrading our local facility capabilities to increase our offerings in-country.
We are aiming to provide our iNOVaTHERM technology for both offshore and onshore cuttings as a value-added solution that will ensure maximum performance and base oil recovery and support our customers’ emissions goals.

Have there been any recent developments in NOV’s digital strategy, and have they impacted product development?
We are now integrating our Kaizen digital optimisation tool into our broader digital solutions business, which includes real-time monitoring platforms such as Max Edge. It is an AI-powered system for drilling optimisation, designed to learn as wells are drilled and improve ROP [rate of penetration] and stability while reducing NPT [non-productive time] and challenges such as stuck pipes and stick slips. We are offering the package as a comprehensive solution to improve drilling safety and efficiency.
We stay ahead by remaining independent and technology-driven. We work with international and domestic companies, and directly with operators, bringing best-in-class solutions to all parties. Our independence allows us to collaborate freely and empower local companies to deliver quality services.

What is your assessment of the manufacturing landscape in Kuwait?
Manufacturing in Kuwait is still very challenging. We see neighbouring countries setting a great example on attracting international manufacturers and incentivising the transfer of technology. We maintain a rental fleet in the country and continue to support Kuwait with overhaul and maintenance services from regional bases. Expanding these services in Kuwait will depend on the emergence of clear manufacturing and operational incentives. We are hopeful that KDIPA can lead the way to attract such investments soon.
Nonetheless, we are already growing our footprint in Kuwait – our new flagship site will likely have its grand opening in Q1 2026 – and upgrading our facility to cater to our customers. We are investing towards developing the capabilities of the national workforce, and we work closely with KDIPA.

Is NOV exploring CCUS opportunities in Kuwait?
NOV is well-positioned and equipped to support CCUS opportunities in Kuwait based on KPC’s strategy. We currently provide modular, customisable and advanced solutions for both pre-combustion gas sweetening and post-combustion capture. We are comfortable taking on full and split scope solutions. We have direct relationships with key EPC companies, midstream and sequestration companies, and CCUS developers to offer a full turnkey solution together.

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