Basra: Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair announced on Friday the opening of the central gas processing plant in the Al-Faihaa oil field, noting that there are four oil tankers currently carrying Iraqi crude for export. He confirmed that oil exports have reached two million barrels per day since the beginning of August.
According to Iraqi News Agency, Khudair made the announcement during a joint press conference with Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani. He emphasized that the ministry is committed to implementing service and community projects in oil-producing areas in collaboration with the local government and representatives of Basra Governorate. These projects aim to benefit the residents surrounding the oil fields.
Khudair explained that the initiatives are part of the Ministry of Oil’s program, which works closely with the local government to deliver impactful projects and alleviate the difficulties faced by Iraqi citizens, particularly in Basra. He added that directives from Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi mandate that investments must be paired with the development of service and community projects for regional residents.
The minister highlighted that the Ministry’s vision is to transform all governorates into oil and gas hubs, thereby boosting their economic status. Licensing rounds are expected to increase production capacities, provide additional gas quantities, attract manpower, reduce unemployment, and build oil and gas industrial infrastructure. Khudair stressed the importance of developing human resources alongside oil infrastructure.
He noted the ongoing service projects in Basra, stating that the ministry is working with the local government to address service issues, including water supply, and to support projects that benefit citizens. The Ministry of Oil aims for self-sufficiency in gas and an increase in production capacities both domestically and for export. The newly opened central gas processing plant in the Al-Faihaa field has a capacity of 130 million standard cubic feet per day, with the oil capacity of the field reaching 100,000 barrels per day.
Khudair explained that the UAE is investing in three critical fields in the south: the Faihaa field, the Siba gas field, and the Faw exploration area. Initial exploration signs in Faw indicate the presence of oil and gas, marking a new opportunity for Iraq.
Regarding oil exports, the minister mentioned ongoing negotiations with relevant parties. He indicated that four oil tankers are currently carrying crude oil, with exports averaging two million barrels since the beginning of the month. Exports for the seventh month were approximately 49 million barrels. He affirmed the exceptional efforts of the Ministry of Oil’s staff, including the State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) and the Basra Oil Company, in maximizing exports, with more than 85 percent of the budget reliant on them.
Discussing pipeline networks, Khudair outlined a project involving a consortium of Chevron and the Qatari company UCC to construct a pipeline from Basra to Fishkhabur, and a line from Haditha to Banias. The ministry’s strategy focuses on diversifying export outlets, maintaining the Strait of Hormuz as a key route, and including Ceyhan. The Basra-Fishkhabur pipeline project aims to provide oil access to all refineries and maximize exports through Ceyhan and Banias. Although the project faced delays due to financial constraints, the ministry is moving forward with its implementation and other infrastructure modernization efforts to enhance production, export capabilities, and financial revenues, while attracting manpower.