Gharraf Oil Starts Field Production

By John Lee.

The Gharraf [Garraf] oil field in Thi Qar [Dhi Qar] province, 85km north of the City of Nasiriyah, produced its first commercial output of oil on 31st August.

Iraq's Ministry of Oil said the flow rate was 35,000 barrels a day, and peak production of 230,000 bpd was expected in 2017.

Japan Petroleum Exploration (JAPEX), in partnership with Malaysian national oil company PETRONAS and the Iraqi state-owned North Oil Company (NOC), secured the winning bid for the field in December 2009 under Iraq's Second Petroleum Licensing Round.

In July 2010, JOGMEC granted equity financing to Japex Garraf Ltd., an affiliate of JAPEX, for the development of the field.

(Sources: Ministry of Oil, JOGMEC)