To keep pace with increasing importance of unconventional hydrocarbons and consequent changes in the global energy landscape, the State of Kuwait has embarked on a strategic plan of evaluating and developing these resources. Synergistic interpretation of exploration datasets has brought out the exploration potential of the resources. These resources are prolific and occur at multiple stratigraphic levels in diverse settings in carbonate reservoirs. Two types of unconventional resources, self-sourced hydrocarbons (shale hydrocarbons) and tight hydrocarbons, have been identified and evaluated with workflows specific to each type. The Cretaceous Makhul and the Jurassic Najmah formations have emerged as important self-sourced hydrocarbon reservoirs. The play existence is demonstrated by the presence of free hydrocarbons contents, substantial thickness, overpressures and positive production tests in both plays. The Makhul play is characterized by total organic carbon (TOC) content between 4 - 7% and lies in the middle to late maturity oil window. It is over-pressured and has thickness in the range of 70 - 300 ft. The Najmah play is characterized by TOC content between 9 - 14% and is in the late maturity oil-condensate window. The play is systematically over-pressured, with pressure reaching the natural fracturing conditions. The Najmah play has shale gas and shale oil resource potential, while the Makhul play has potential for shale oil resource. The other speculative shale gas play is Qusaiba Shale which has not been drilled so far in Kuwait. Fractured carbonate units in the Cretaceous Upper Minagish and Upper Makhul; the Jurassic Hith, Najmah, Upper Sargelu and Marrat; and the Triassic Lower Jilh and Lower Khuff constitute the tight reservoir resources. These reservoirs are characterized by porosity typically less than 5% and permeability mostly less than 0.1 millidarcy (mD). These reservoirs are productive in structurally deformed areas where natural open fractures are well developed and critically stressed. Resource specific and technology intensive multi-disciplinary workflows from play assessment to commercial production are crucial for effective leverage of the unconventional resources.

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