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Iraq Planning Increased Oil Production in “Coming Years”

By John Lee.

The First Vice President of the Iraqi National Oil Company (INOC), Hamid Younis, has said that oil production in Iraq can be increased to 5-to-8 million barrels per day (bpd) “during the coming years.“

He is quoted in a statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, following a meeting that he chaired with officials from Iraqi oil companies to discuss plans to maintain and increase oil production and export.

The Director-General of the Iraqi Oil Exploration Company, Ali Jassim, said that the next phase will see remarkable activity in the exploration sector, including operations in the Western Desert and Nineveh Governorate.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

The post Iraq Planning Increased Oil Production in “Coming Years” first appeared on Iraq Business News.

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CNOOC to Explore Offshore in Iraq

By John Lee.

The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) is to press ahead with oil exploration at a 530-km2 offshore block in Basra.

Originally agreed in 2019, the work had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In parallel, Iraq’s state-owned Oil Exploration Company (OEC) will carry out seismic surveys on the adjoining 120-km2 onshore area.

Following these studies, one exploratory well will be drilled onshore and one offshore.

The announcement was made following a workshop (pictured) to study plans for the development of marine blocks, organized by the Oil Exploration Company in cooperation with CNOOC.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

The post CNOOC to Explore Offshore in Iraq first appeared on Iraq Business News.

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Seismic Survey begins at Sasan-Talafar

By John Lee.

Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has announced the start of seismic survey work at the Sasan-Talafar exploration project in Nineveh.

The Director General of the Iraq Oil Exploration Company said that the eighth seismic division has started two- and three-dimensional geological survey work at the site, “within the framework of the oil exploration plan for the year 2021.“

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

The post Seismic Survey begins at Sasan-Talafar first appeared on Iraq Business News.

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Mansuriya Gas Contract “Cancelled”; Russia “Extremely Interested”

By John Lee.

Iraq has reportedly cancelled a contract to develop its Mansuriya gas field near the Iranian border.

Iraq Business News understands that, under a deal agreed in 2010, the field was being developed by Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) (37.5%), Iraqi Oil Exploration Company (25%), Kuwait Energy (KEC) (22.5%), and Kogas (15%).

According to Reuters, the consortium halted development in 2014 due to security concerns after the so-called Islamic State group overran large parts of Iraq.

Writing in Oil Price, Simon Watkins says “Russia has again made it clear that it is extremely interested in taking over the development contract of Iraq’s Mansuriya gas field following the recent termination of the contract with a consortium led by Turkey’s state-owned TPAO.”

More here and here.

(Sources: Reuters, Oil Price)

The post Mansuriya Gas Contract “Cancelled”; Russia “Extremely Interested” first appeared on Iraq Business News.

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Petrel Resources eyes Opportunities in Iraq

By John Lee.

Irish-based Petrel Resources has said that one of its main priorities has been re-building its presence in Iraq.

In its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2019, the company said:

“While challenges remain, the Iraqi government encourages international investors with Iraqi operating experience.  The security situation has dramatically improved since 2018.  Iraq remains exempt from OPEC quotas, and Iraqi oil output has reached 4.7 million barrels of oil daily.

“The next Iraqi bidding round (for exploration of blocks with gas potential) is expected during 2020.  The model contract is expected to be an updated version of the Iraqi hybrid exploration and development contract, incorporating aspects of service contract and production sharing.  These terms are more attractive for international explorers than in prior bid rounds.

“The improving security situation in western Iraq has again made possible field-work on prime western desert exploration blocks, including Block 6, on which we worked from 2002. Similarly, the Merjan oil discovery, by Mobil in 1982, which has recently been packaged with Kifl & west Kifl oilfields, has arisen as a possible development project. 

“The Merjan oilfield and surroundings, on which Petrel operated a Technical Cooperation Agreement in joint venture with Japanese giant Itochu from 2004 through 2007, has recently been covered by 1,000 km sq a 3d seismic survey conducted by the Iraqi Oil Exploration Company.  This enhanced data should further minismise the risks & costs of development.“

(Source: Petrel Resources)

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Iraq to Increase Production at West Qurna 1

By John Lee.

Oil production is to increase at the West Qurna 1 oilfield, according to Reuters.

The news agency quoted Basra Oil Company (BOC) chief Ihsan Abdul Jabbar as saying on Wednesday that output will rise from 440,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) to 490,000 bpd in the “next few days”.

The field is being developed by ExxonMobil (25%), PetroChina (25%), Itochu (15%), Pertamina (10%), Iraq’s state-owned Oil Exploration Company (25%)

(Source: Reuters)

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Schlumberger to Drill 40 Wells at Majnoon

By John Lee.

US-based Schlumberger has won a deal with Iraq’s Basra Oil Company (BOC) to drill 40 new wells at Majnoon oilfield.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Oil also announced that the BOC had entered into a 19-month contract with the Iraqi Oil Exploration Company to carry out 2D and 3D seismic surveys at the field.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

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INOC takes over 9 State Oil Companies

By John Lee.

Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi [Allibi, Luiebi] has transferred ownership of nine state-owned oil companies from the Ministry of Oil to the newly-created Iraqi National Oil Company (INOC).

The Minister is also the President of INOC.

The companies transferred to INOC ownership are:

  • Iraqi Oil Exploration Company
  • Iraqi Drilling Company (IDC)
  • State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO)
  • North Oil Company (NOC)
  • Midland (Middle) Oil Company
  • Basra Oil Company (BOC)
  • Dhi Qar Oil Company (DQOC)
  • Missan Oil Company (MCO)
  • Iraqi Oil Tankers Company (IOTC)

IBN Expert Blogger Ahmed Mousa Jiyad has described the new company as “dysfunctional, unconstitutional and disintegrative“.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

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Iraq Plans to take over Mansuriyah Gas Field

By John Lee.

Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi [Allibi, Luiebi] (pictured) as ordered Iraq’s state-owned oil companies to devise an urgent plan to develop the Mansuriyah (Mansouriya) gas field, following what he described as the delay and the failure of foreign companies to start developing the field.

The field, in Diyala province, was awarded in the third licensing round in 2010 to a consortium of international oil companies consisting of: Turkey’s TPAO (37.5%), Iraq’s Oil Exploration Company (25%), Kuwait Energy (KEC) (22.5%), and the Korean Gas Corporation (Kogas) (15%).

It holds around 127 billion cubic metres of gas. They committed to produce 320 million standard cubic feet of gas a day for $7 per barrel of oil equivalent produced, the maximum the government would agree to pay.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

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Lukoil signs Contract for Exploration at Block 10

Russia’s Lukoil has signed contracts with the state-owned Iraqi Oil Exploration Company to carry out seismic surveys at the Eridu field in Block 10, and also at Block 10’s southern and central parts, previously not part of the survey.

The scope of appraisal works at Eridu field includes a 3D seismic survey of 983 square kilometers to update the extension of the field and its geological structure.

At Block 10, 2D seismic acquisition of the southern and central parts is planned to be accomplished over an area of 3,500 linear kilometers to ensure the mapping of targets for prospect drilling.

The approved geological exploration plan for Eridu field envisages the drilling of additional appraisal wells on a mid-term horizon.​

Block 10, covering 5,600 square kilometers, is located in the governorates of Dhi Qar and Muthanna, 120 kilometers west of Basra. The interests in the project are: Lukoil – 60% (operator), Inpex Corporation (Japan) – 40%.

The Iraqi party to the agreement is represented by the state-owned South Oil Company (SOC).

The drilling of the first exploration well, Eridu-1, in February of 2017 led to the discovery of a major oilfield. Preliminary data indicate it is the most significant discovery in Iraq for the past 20 years.

The drilling of the second and third wells confirmed the field’s earlier assumed geological model.Block 10, covering 5,600 square kilometers, is located in the governorates of Dhi Qar and Muthanna, 120 kilometers west of Basra.

(Source: Lukoil)