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The history of Kuwaiti oil production is a narrative of transformation and prosperity, marking the country's rise to economic prominence in the 20th century. This journey began in the early 1930s, when Kuwait was still a relatively small, pearl-diving and trading community under British protectorate status. The discovery of oil fundamentally altered the course of the nation's history, propelling it onto the global stage as a major oil producer.

Oil exploration in Kuwait commenced in 1934 when the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), a joint venture between the British Petroleum and Gulf Oil (now Chevron), was granted concession rights by the Kuwaiti ruler, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. After years of exploratory drilling, oil was first discovered in commercial quantities in 1938 at the Burgan field, one of the world's largest. However, the outbreak of World War II delayed full-scale development until 1946.

The post-war era marked rapid advancement in Kuwait's oil industry. By the end of the 1940s, Kuwait had emerged as one of the world's leading oil exporters. The wealth generated from oil revenues dramatically transformed Kuwait's economy and society, funding large-scale urbanization, modernization, and welfare projects. It enabled the country to gain independence from British rule in 1961.

In 1975, Kuwait took a decisive step by nationalizing its oil industry, with the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) overseeing all aspects of the oil sector. Despite the challenges posed by regional conflicts, including the 1990-1991 Gulf War which significantly impacted oil production, Kuwait continued to be a key player in the global oil market.

Today, Kuwait's history of oil production stands as a testament to its remarkable journey from a small Gulf state to a major oil-exporting nation, shaping its economic landscape and playing a crucial role in the global energy supply.

What year marked the beginning of oil exploration in Kuwait?