TFIZ01: KUWAIT OIL UPDATE -- APRIL 05, 2003

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001274

SIPDIS

STATE FOR TASK FORCE 1 - EB ACTION OFFICER
STATE ALSO FOR EB/ESC AND NEA/ARP
TREASURY FOR OASIA
USDOC FOR 4520/MAC/AME
DOE FOR IE - L. COBURN AND C. WASHINGTON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6 X5, X6
TAGS: EPET KU
SUBJECT: TFIZ01: KUWAIT OIL UPDATE -- APRIL 05, 2003

REF: KUWAIT 1232 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: DCM Frank C. Urbancic for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Detailed oil production for Kuwait Oil Company was not
available today, but production likely remains just under 2.4
million barrels.


2. (C) EconChief had a chance to visit the two wells in the
Rumeila field of Southern Iraq that continue burning. One
well is burning crude oil, emitting a plume of thick black
smoke. The KOC firefighting team is on site at the well.
KOC had earlier tried to extinguish the fire using water from
trucks, but ran out of water before the fire was put out.
They have now dug a lagoon which they had filled with water,
and preparations for another attempt were being made as of
the early afternoon. If successful, the fire would be out by
sundown.


3. (C) The other well is burning gas, with a very hot flame
but a much cleaner smoke plume. Boots and Coots (B and C)
officials told EconChief that once KOC had its fire out,
water trucks would focus on filling the lagoon B and C had
dug. Once filled, B and C would then begin efforts to
control the second well. If all goes according to plan, the
two fires could be out by Monday or Tuesday.


4. (U) Local Arabic press today reported that the KOC will
suspend its operations in Iraq after the two fires still
burning in Rumeila are extinguished, leaving any remaining or
new fires to B and C.
JONES