Kirkuk:Iraq’s Oil Minister, Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi, has announced plans to increase oil production at the four Kirkuk fields to 450,000 barrels per day and utilize 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. This initiative is part of the government’s strategy to enhance the oil and gas sector’s contribution to the national economy.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, operational responsibilities for the Kirkuk fields—Kirkuk, Bai Hassan, Khabbaz, and Jambur—have been transferred from the North Oil Company and the North Gas Company to a joint operating entity. This move aligns with the government’s and the ministry’s efforts to advance the oil and gas industry.

The minister emphasized the agreement’s significance in achieving higher production levels and stressed the importance of continuous efforts to meet the project’s objectives and bolster the national economy. He highlighted BP’s role as a strategic partner in developing Iraq’s oil and gas resources and underscored the value of a collaborative approach to improve project execution and overcome operational challenges.

Al-Abadi assured that the ministry would support BP in ensuring the project’s success, working in cooperation with the North Oil Company and the North Gas Company, under the supervision of deputy ministers for extraction and gas affairs. The project will adopt an integrated approach, including training national personnel, transferring technical expertise, and implementing community service initiatives to benefit local residents.