Burgan

Overview

Kuwait. World's second-largest oil field. ~1.7M bpd. Discovered 1938. Greater Burgan area includes Magwa and Ahmadi fields. ~70 billion barrels original reserves.

Geopolitical context

Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait was substantially motivated by control of Burgan and Kuwait's broader oil reserves. Retreating Iraqi forces set 600+ Kuwaiti oil wells on fire in 1991 — one of the largest environmental disasters in history. Kuwait's reconstruction and the US military's permanent Gulf presence both trace directly to the strategic importance of these reserves. Kuwait maintains a conservative production policy within OPEC, preferring long-term revenue stability.

Role in chokepoint scenarios

• Cut off if the Strait of Hormuz closes.

Nearby

• Burgan Field Production site · ~20 km
• Mina al-Ahmadi Port / transit hub · ~112 km
• Mina Abdullah refinery (Kuwait) Refinery · ~112 km
• Basra Oil Terminal (Al Basrah / Khor al-Amaya) Port / transit hub · ~193 km
• Safaniyah Oil field · ~201 km
• Ras al-Ju'aymah crude/LPG terminal Port / transit hub · ~208 km