The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has signed a contract to drill ten water wells in Ubari, Al-Ghuraifa, and Bint Bayyah municipalities in the southern region in efforts to end the problem of water shortage in these areas.

The NOC expressed in a statement on Facebook its concern at the limited access to clean and safe drinking water in these municipalities, a problem which persisted for decades, with no solution, according to the NOC.

"The drilling of wells is part of an integrated project that also includes maintenance of water tanks, laying a water line system, and providing pumps besides installing other requirements," the NOC said.

It indicated that the step comes within its sustainable development program, under the sponsorship and funding of the Repsol consortium, and coordination and follow-up from the committees formed by Acacus Oil Operations.