Custom Search

By John Lee.

Trial operation has begun on the first generating unit of the Shams Al-Basra solar power project, the largest solar energy scheme in Iraq, with a total planned capacity of 1,000MW.

The project, located in the Artawi [Ratawi] area of Basra province, covers approximately 9,000 dunams and comprises four units, each with a design capacity of 250MW.

The scheme is being implemented by TotalEnergies in cooperation with the Ministry of Electricity, as part of efforts to diversify energy sources and expand renewable generation.

Initial synchronisation has commenced at 61MW, with output to be gradually increased to the unit's full 250MW capacity. The unit will be connected to the national grid via the New Rumaila and Souq Al-Shuyoukh transmission lines, in accordance with approved technical plans.

The Ministry of Electricity said the project will contribute to strengthening grid stability, meeting rising electricity demand in Basra province, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing long-term energy security once fully operational.

(Source: Ministry of Electricity)

By John Lee.

South Korea's Hyundai Livart has reportedly won a contract worth KRW 117.8 billion [$80 million] to build worker accommodation, offices and other infrastructure at Iraq's Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) in Basra.

According to Maeil Business Newspaper, Hyundai Livart secured the contract through a competitive bidding process against several Middle Eastern construction firms.

Work is scheduled for completion by June next year.

In August, the Iraqi government approved the award of the Common Seawater Supply Project for the Artawi [Ratawi] oil field to Hyundai Engineering & Construction. The project is jointly funded by TotalEnergies, Basra Oil Company (BOC), and QatarEnergy.

More here.

(Source: Maeil Business Newspaper)

By John Lee.

The Ministry of Oil has reviewed progress on the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) in Basra during a site visit to the Artawi [Ratawi] oilfield.

Undersecretary for Extraction Affairs Bassem Mohammed Khudair inspected key projects being implemented by TotalEnergies, in partnership with QatarEnergy and Basra Oil Company (BOC).

The visit covered the first Central Processing Facility (CPF1), where rehabilitation works are more than 80% complete and are expected to double production capacity from 60,000 to 120,000 barrels per day. The Artawi-PS1 export pipeline project was also inspected, with completion reaching 95%.

Mr Khudair also reviewed the accelerated gas investment project, with a design capacity of 50 million standard cubic feet per day, aimed at reducing gas flaring and utilising associated gas for productive purposes. The project is scheduled for handover in May 2026.

In addition, he was briefed on progress at the solar power project with a planned capacity of 1,000 megawatts, noting that the first phase is expected to add 250 megawatts to the national grid in March.

The ministry said work across the projects is advancing steadily, with around 7,100 personnel currently employed, 85% of whom are Iraqi nationals, alongside the participation of several local companies.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

By John Lee.

KBR (United States) has been selected by ENKA Insaat (Turkey) to provide detailed engineering design services for the Associated Gas Upstream Project Phase 2 (AGUP2), part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) operated by TotalEnergies in partnership with Basra Oil Company (BOC) and QatarEnergy in Iraq's Basra region.

This latest award follows KBR's successful completion of the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for the same development, reinforcing its long-standing collaboration with both TotalEnergies and ENKA, and its ongoing commitment to supporting Iraq's energy infrastructure growth.

Under the award, KBR will provide multi-discipline detailed engineering design from its global engineering centres, supporting ENKA's execution of the engineering, procurement, supply, construction, and commissioning (EPSCC) scope for the central processing facility.

The AGUP2 project, scheduled to start in 2028, aims to process oil and associated gas from the Ratawi [Artawi] oil field, raising production to 210,000 barrels per day of oil and 154 million standard cubic feet per day of gas, while contributing to Iraq's low-carbon energy transition and the elimination of routine flaring.

Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, said:

"KBR has been a trusted service provider in Iraq for more than four decades. This project represents a strategic milestone for Iraq's energy future as it combines gas recovery, power generation, oil field redevelopment, and renewable energy investment. We are proud to continue supporting TotalEnergies and ENKA to drive sustainable growth and reliable energy for Iraq."

(Source: KBR)

By John Lee.

France's Vallourec has been awarded a second contract by TotalEnergies to supply casing, tubing, and associated accessories for the drilling of 48 wells under the Associated Gas Upstream Project 2 (AGUP2).

The project forms a key part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP), operated by TotalEnergies in partnership with Basra Oil Company (BOC) and QatarEnergy.

The AGUP2 initiative aims to process oil and associated gas from the Ratawi [Artawi] oil field, increasing production capacity to 210,000 barrels of oil per day and 154 million standard cubic feet per day of gas. It also supports Iraq's goal of eliminating routine gas flaring and advancing a lower-carbon energy future.

The wider GGIP -- a flagship 4-in-1 energy development -- combines gas recovery from three southern oil fields to supply power plants, redevelopment of the Ratawi field, construction of a 1 GWac (1.25 GWp) solar farm, and a seawater treatment plant to support oil operations.

In the first phase, Vallourec delivered approximately 15,000 tonnes of casing and tubing for 30 wells. In this second phase, the company will supply over 30,000 tonnes of premium tubular products, including about 3,000 tonnes of Premium Line Pipe with anti-corrosion coating.

Group Chairman and CEO Philippe Guillemot (pictured) stated:

"We are proud to continue our collaboration with TotalEnergies on this flagship project in Iraq. Since the beginning, Vallourec has been fully committed to supporting TotalEnergies. This new phase confirms the strength of our long-standing partnership and our ability to deliver high-performance, reliable tubular solutions."

(Source: Vallourec)

Al Busttan Company for General Services has signed an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Lease and Operate (EPCLO) contract with TotalEnergies EP Ratawi Hub (TEPRH) for the design, build and operation of a 200-man Pioneer Camp in the Ratawi Field in Basra.

Pictured at the signing ceremony held at Al Busttan's North Rumaila office are Mr Ismael Shakir, Managing Director of Al Busttan and Mr Kamal Al Atassi, Project Director, Associated Gas Upstream Project-2 (AGUP-2), one of the four  major projects that TEPRH is delivering in the Ratawi Field as part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) operated by TotalEnergies. The Pioneer Camp wil comprise a range of single and multi-occupancy rooms, dining and recreational facilities (including a fully equipped gymnasium and a sports field), offices for 60 persons and a medical clinic.

Camp occupants will include TEPRH AGUP-2 Project personnel and early works personnel for the planned CPF-2 and Network and Wellpads (NWP) projects. Construction on the multi -million-dollar project will start imminently and is scheduled for completion in February 2026.  Al Busttan will then operate the facility for an extended period providing the full suite of life support services including catering and facility management.

The Associated Gas Upstream Project Phase 2 (AGUP2) of the Ratawi oil field's redevelopment will increase production to 210,000 barrels per day (bpd) without routine flaring, starting in 2028.

The GGIP is designed to enhance the development of Iraq's natural resources to improve the country's electricity supply. This 4-in-1 multi-energy project comprises the recovery of gas that is currently flared at three oil fields in southern Iraq to supply electric power plants, the redevelopment of the Ratawi oil field, the construction of a 1 GWac (1.25GWp) solar farm and of a seawater treatment plant.

(Source: Al Busttan)

By John Lee.

Basra Oil Company (BOC) and China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering (CPPE) have signed a contract for a 950-kilometre seawater distribution pipeline network to supply multiple oilfields in southern Iraq, with project supervision by Austria's ILF Consulting Engineers.

The contract forms part of Iraq's strategic Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP), which includes a central treatment facility with a capacity of 5 million barrels per day, expandable to 7-8 million barrels in later phases. The treated seawater will be injected into major oilfields, including Rumaila, Zubair, West Qurna 1, West Qurna 2, and Majnoon, as well as fields in Maysan and Dhi Qar, to maintain reservoir pressure and sustain crude oil production.

The project complements earlier agreements signed by TotalEnergies with Hyundai Engineering and other partners under Iraq's broader gas development and oil production enhancement programme, including increasing output at the Artawi [Ratawi] field to 210,000 barrels per day.

Officials noted that the seawater injection scheme will reduce the reliance on freshwater sources currently diverted from rivers and aquifers, thereby preserving them for agricultural and human use.

In August, China Petroleum Engineering Co. (CPECC) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. (CPPE) has been awarded the $2.5-billion contract on a "bid awarded, pending contract signing" basis, with a total implementation period of 54 months.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

By John Lee.

TotalEnergies, in partnership with Basra Oil Company (30%) and QatarEnergy (25%), has signed the final contracts of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) at the Ratawi [Artawi] field in Basra, under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

The agreements include:

• a joint operating contract between the Ministry of Oil, Basra Oil Company (BOC), TotalEnergies (45%, operator), and QatarEnergy;
• a seawater treatment facility with Hyundai (capacity 7.5 million barrels per day);
• a central oil and gas processing facility with Turkiye's Enka (210,000 bpd and 163 MMscfd of gas); and,
• a gas processing plant with China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corp (CPECC) (600 MMscfd in two phases).

The Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP), to be built near Umm Qasr, will substitute treated seawater for freshwater currently drawn from the Tigris, Euphrates, and aquifers, helping to reduce regional water stress and free up around 250,000 cubic metres of water daily for agriculture.

The Ratawi redevelopment, launched in 2023, will raise output to 120,000 bpd in 2026 (phase 1) and to 210,000 bpd in 2028 (phase 2), with no routine flaring. Associated gas will be processed through the 300 MMscfd Gas Midstream Project to supply the national grid, providing electricity to around 1.5 million households. The project also includes a 1,000 MW solar power component.

Prime Minister al-Sudani welcomed the agreements, describing them as evidence of Iraq's improving investment climate. Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani and Qatari Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi attended the signing, alongside executives from TotalEnergies, Enka, Hyundai, and CPECC.

TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné said that with all four GGIP components - oil, gas, water, and solar - now launched, the first phase of production is expected in early 2026, employing around 7,000 Iraqis during construction.

Full text of statement from TotalEnergies:

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies, and His Excellency Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of QatarEnergy, met on Sunday, 14^th of September in Baghdad with His Excellency Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, and His Excellency Hayan Abulghani, Minister of Oil and Deputy Prime Minister, to announce the start of construction of the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) and the full field development of the Ratawi oil field.

These are the two last major contracts of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP), led by TotalEnergies (45%, operator) alongside its partners Basra Oil Company (30%), and QatarEnergy (25%).

With these signatures, all four parts (natural gas, solar, oil, water) of the GGIP are now in execution phase. The GGIP, a showcase project for TotalEnergies' multi-energy strategy, aims to sustainably develop Iraq's natural resources to improve the country's electricity supply while contributing to its energy independence and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

The seawater treatment plant, a key infrastructure to preserving the country's water resources

The CSSP will be built on the coast near the town of Um Qasr. It will process and transport 5 million barrels of seawater per day to the main oil fields in southern Iraq.

Treated seawater will be substituted for the freshwater currently taken from the Tigris, Euphrates, and aquifers to maintain pressure in the oil wells. The project will therefore help alleviate water stress in the region and is expected to free up to 250,000 cubic meters of freshwater per day for irrigation and local agriculture needs.

Ongoing redevelopment of the Ratawi field, one of Iraq's lowest-emission oil sites

The Ratawi redevelopment was launched in September 2023. Phase 1 aims to increase production to 120,000 bpd and is expected to come on stream by early 2026.

The launch of phase 2 (full field development) will enable to increase production to 210,000 bpd starting in 2028 with no routine flaring.

All 160 Mcf/d of associated gas produced every day will be fully processed thanks to the 300 Mcf/d Gas Midstream Project (GMP), whose construction began early 2025. The GMP, which will also treat previously flared gas from two other fields in southern Iraq, will deliver processed gas into the national grid where it will fuel power plants with a production capacity of approximately 1.5 GW, providing electricity to 1.5 million Iraqi households. An Early Production facility to process 50 Mcf/d of associated gas will start early 2026 together with the Ratawi phase 1 oil production.

"We are delighted today to award the two final contracts of the Gas Growth Integrated Project, in particular the seawater treatment plant which has been long awaited by the oil industry in Iraq. In less than 2 years since the GGIP effective date in August 2023, TotalEnergies and its partners have fully executed their commitment towards the people of Iraq and launched all projects included in the multienergy GGIP projet, the best showcase of TotalEnergies transition strategy. All these projects will bring a significant contribution to the Iraq economy and employ during the construction phase 7,000 Iraqi nationals.," declared Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies. "Furthermore, I am proud to confirm that the first phase of the associated gas, oil and solar projects will start-up as soon as early 2026."

About the Gas Growth Integrated Project in Iraq

In 2023, TotalEnergies launched the multi-energy Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) in Iraq. The GGIP is designed to enhance the development of Iraq's natural resources to improve the country's electricity supply. This 4-in-1 project comprises the recovery of gas that is currently flared at three oil fields in southern Iraq to supply electric power plants, the redevelopment of the Ratawi oil field, the construction of a 1 GWac (1.25GWp) solar farm and of a seawater treatment plant.

(Sources: TotalEnergies, Ministry of Oil, PMO)

By John Lee.

As part of its measures to address water scarcity, the Iraqi government has approved the award of the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP-ITT-05) tender for the Artawi [Ratawi] oil field to Hyundai Engineering & Construction of South Korea.

The contract covers engineering, procurement, supply, construction, commissioning, and operation (EPSCC) of the seawater treatment plant.

The decision includes ratifying the results of price negotiations and granting the award as an exception to Government Contracts Implementation Instructions No. 2 of 2014, to account for procedures taken between 2018 and 2021 under financial authorities.

A special investigative committee will examine legal violations from 2018 concerning the direct invitation of companies without the necessary approvals. The findings will be submitted to the Prime Minister for a decision.

(Source: PMO)

By John Lee.

China Petroleum Engineering Corporation (CPEC) has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering has received a letter of award from France's TotalEnergies for a major gas infrastructure project in Iraq.

The Artawi [Ratawi] GMP EPSCC Project, commissioned by TotalEnergies, involves the construction of midstream gas pipeline facilities linking the Majnoon and West Qurna 2 oilfields to a new gas processing plant in Artawi. It includes:

• a 114-kilometre, 26-inch sour gas pipeline,
• an 83-kilometre, 20-inch sour gas pipeline,
• three additional export pipelines, and
• associated valve stations and facilities.

The project is valued at approximately $294 million [around 385 billion IQD], with a planned duration of 36 months.

According to the company, if the contract is formally signed and successfully implemented, it is expected to contribute positively to China Petroleum Engineering's revenue and profits over the next three to four years, and further strengthen its position in the oil and gas pipeline engineering market in Iraq and the wider Middle East.

The project is currently in the pre-contract award phase, and the final contract terms remain subject to confirmation. The company has warned that factors such as political, social or market conditions in Iraq, or the project owner's financing arrangements, could affect contract finalisation and execution.

China Petroleum Engineering Corporation is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

Click here to view original announcement [Chinese]

(Source: China Petroleum Engineering)