The Saudi Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry has approved the South Rub al-Khali Company’s (SRAK) plan to explore for more non-associated gas in the Empty Quarter region of the kingdom.

In a statement, SRAK said it will now drill three appraisal wells to gauge the potential of the Kidan gas field in the region. The company will also be conducting “extensive studies” aimed at “defining development concepts in the field”.

SRAK has already carried out two exploration periods looking for non-associated gas in the Empty Quarter. The company is a 50:50 joint venture of the state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco and the UK/Dutch Shell Group.