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By John Lee.

Basra Oil Company (BOC) has awarded a contract to US company Halliburton to provide Integrated Field Management Services (IFMS) and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) for the Nahr Bin Umar oil field and Sindbad oil and gas fields in southern Iraq.

The contract scope includes field development planning, production optimisation, digital solutions, and EPCM services. Halliburton will deploy its Landmark portfolio to create a digital foundation connecting subsurface insights, well delivery, production operations, and business planning.

During the first five-year development phase at Nahr Bin Umar, BOC estimates oil production could reach approximately 150,000 barrels per day, with associated gas capture of 300 million standard cubic feet per day for domestic supply. BOC will retain ownership, operatorship, and decision-making authority over both assets.

Zaid Khadra, vice president for Middle East and North Africa at Halliburton, said the company would work alongside BOC as a technical and project management provider to integrate workflows, digital solutions, and execution expertise to maximise asset value.

Halliburton plans to draw on local resources in support of Ministry of Oil initiatives on workforce development and national value creation.

(Source: Halliburton)

By John Lee.

Basra Oil Company (BOC) has signed a five-year contract with US firm Halliburton for the integrated management of the Nahr Bin Umar oil field and Sindbad field.

The signing took place under the auspices of Minister of Oil Basim Muhammad Khudhair al-Abadi, in line with government plans and directives from Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. According to the Ministry of Oil, the deal supports the ministry's strategy to raise oil and gas production capacity.

Over the five-year term, crude output at Nahr Bin Umar is expected to rise to 150,000 barrels per day, alongside 300 million standard cubic feet a day of associated gas. Production at Sindbad is set to increase from 80,000 to 100,000 barrels per day, with associated gas capacity rising from 240 to 260 million standard cubic feet a day.

The minister said the additional gas output would provide greater flexibility in supplying the country's energy sector.

He added that the ministry continues to sign contracts with major international firms, particularly American companies, and would provide support to help achieve project goals, citing Halliburton's experience in Iraq since 2003.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

By John Lee.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani met on Thursday with Jeff Miller, Chairman and CEO of Halliburton, along with his accompanying delegation.

Al-Sudani underlined the government's strong interest in the role of major international oil companies, particularly American firms, in developing Iraq's energy sector, improving production efficiency, and achieving national goals. He urged Halliburton to expand its service centres in Iraq across various engineering fields, establish research hubs to support drilling and rehabilitation technologies, and open training centres to build local capacity. He also encouraged localisation of industries such as drilling chemicals, production materials, and oil equipment manufacturing, including pumps.

Miller thanked the Prime Minister for his continued support and expressed the company's readiness to reach an agreement with the Ministry of Oil to sign a development contract for the Nahr Bin Omar [Nahr Bin Umar, Nahr Ben Umar] and Sindbad oil fields in Basra Governorate. The proposed deal would focus on gas production, employing Iraqi professionals, and advancing oil industry localisation.

(Source: PMO)

By John Lee.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has received the President, Eastern Hemisphere, of Halliburton, Shannon Slocum, and his accompanying delegation in Baghdad.

Al-Sudani emphasised that the presence of major international oil companies in Iraq reflects the government's commitment to developing the energy sector in line with global standards. He highlighted Iraq's plans to expand utilisation of associated gas, boost petroleum product output, and ensure the application of advanced technologies in oil and gas operations.

The Prime Minister underlined the importance of expanding cooperation with Halliburton, noting its expertise in extraction and refining, and expressed support for the company's role in developing the Nahr Bin Omar [Nahr Bin Umar, Nahr Ben Umar] and Sindbad oil fields in Basra.

For his part, Slocum reaffirmed Halliburton's interest in working in Iraq, praising the country's progress and stability. He said the company will bring the latest technologies to oil and gas field development, while also applying modern administrative and technical methods and training Iraqi staff to enhance their capabilities.

[Article amended on 31st August 2025 to show Mr Slocum as "President, Eastern Hemisphere".]

(Source: PMO)

By John Lee.

The Iraqi Cabinet has approved a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with US-based Halliburton for the development of the Nahr Bin Omar [Nahr Bin Umar, Nahr Ben Umar] and Sindbad oil fields in Basra.

According to a statement from the Media Office of the Prime Minister, the project will employ Integrated Field Management Services (IFMS) and the EPCM model, aligning with national efforts and licensing round frameworks.

The South Gas Company (SGC) and Halfaya Gas Company (HGC) signed a contract for the development and processing of gas from the Nahr Bin Umar last year, while China's United Energy Group (UEG) was awarded the contract for Sindbad in 2018.

(Source: Media Office of the Prime Minister)

By John Lee.

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani inaugurates the stone lining project for the left bank of the Tigris River along Sindbad Road in Baghdad.

According to a brief statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the project was managed the Ministry of Water Resources.

(Source: PMO)

By John Lee.

Prime Minister Mr. Mohammed S. Al-Sudani attended the final signing ceremony of the contracts for the fifth licensing round for border zones and fields, held on Tuesday 21st February at the headquarters of the Ministry of Oil.

The Prime Minister pointed out that implementing the fifth licensing round was delayed for five years, causing significant losses and great environmental damage to Iraq.

His Excellency also emphasized that the endeavors for the investment of the associated gas and natural gas stem from a firm determination to achieve economic reforms, which are the main focus of the government program.

These contracts relate to the development and production of six fields and exploratory blocks in border areas, which were granted to the following companies:

Development blocks:

• Gilabat-Qumar [Kalabat], in Diyala: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)
• Khashim Ahmer-Injana [Khasham Al-Ahmar], in Diyala: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)
• Huwaiza, in Missan (Maysan): Geo Jade Petroleum (China)
• Khudher Al-Mai [Khider al-Mai], in Basra and Muthana: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)

Exploration blocks:

• Naft Khana, in Diyala: Geo-Jade Petroleum (China)
• Sindibad [Sindbad] field in Basra: United Energy Group (UEG) (Hong Kong)

(Source: Media Office of the Prime Minister)

By John Lee.

Iraq's Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul-Ghani, has announced that the final signing of contracts for the fifth round of energy licences will take place next week.

These contracts relate to the development and production of six fields and exploratory blocks in border areas, which were granted to the following companies:

Development blocks:

• Gilabat-Qumar, in Diyala: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)
• Khashim Ahmer-Injana, in Diyala: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)
• Huwaiza, in Missan (Maysan): Geo Jade Petroleum (China)
• Khudher Al-Mai [Khider al-Mai], in Basra and Muthana: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)

Exploration blocks:

• Naft Khana, in Diyala: Geo-Jade Petroleum (China)
• Sindibad [Sindbad] field in Basra: United Energy Group (UEG) (Hong Kong)

Abdul-Ghani emphasised the importance of finalising the signing and activation of the contracts in order to speed up the development of the fields.

The Council of Ministers had approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for Energy on February 7, 2023.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

By John Lee.

Iraq's Council of Ministers has approved the recommendation of the Economic Energy Council to sign contracts for the fifth energy licensing round.

According to a government statement, the fifth-round projects had been suspended for four years due to "a complaint about the correctness of the procedures." It adds that, "after this file went to financial control and integrity, it was finally found that the procedures are sound and the issue was resolved."

It says one of the companies operating in the project can provide a quarter of the amount of imported gas within 15 months, and the government's goal is to cover all the currently-imported gas within 3 years.

"Imported gas costs up to 10 trillion dinars annually in the budget. After three years, the project will provide these amounts, and they will be transferred to health, education and housing, within the framework of economic reform," it adds.

In April 2018, Iraq's Ministy of Oil initially awarded the fifth round licences as follows:

Development blocks:

• Gilabat-Qumar, in Diyala: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)
• Khashim Ahmer-Injana, in Diyala: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)
• Huwaiza, in Missan (Maysan): Geo Jade Petroleum (China)
• Khudher Al-Mai [Khider al-Mai], in Basra and Muthana: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)

Exploration blocks:

• Naft Khana, in Diyala: Geo-Jade Petroleum (China)
• Sindibad [Sindbad] field in Basra: United Energy Group (UEG) (Hong Kong)
• Zurbatiya [Zarbatia, Zurbatia], in Wasit and Diyala: not awarded
• Shihabi in Missan and Wasit: not awarded
• Fao, in Basra: not awarded
• Jabal Sanam [Jebel Sinam, Jebel Sanam], in Basra: not awarded
• Offshore Gulf block: not awarded

A sixth licensing round, which will target natural gas fields, will soon be announced.

More here and here.

(Source: Govt of Iraq)

By John Lee.

Iraq's Ministy of Oil has awarded all four development projects, and two of the seven exploration blocks, that it offered in its fifth auction of oil licences.

Only nine of the 26 companies originally pre-qualified took part in the auction, with majors such as Lukoil (Russia), ExxonMobil (US) and Total (France) not bidding.

Development blocks:

• Gilabat-Qumar, in Diyala: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)
• Khashim Ahmer-Injana, in Diyala: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)
• Huwaiza, in Missan (Maysan): Geo Jade Petroleum (China)
• Khudher Al-Mai [Khider al-Mai], in Basra and Muthana: Crescent Petroleum (UAE)

Exploration blocks:

• Naft Khana, in Diyala: Geo-Jade Petroleum (China)
• Sindibad [Sindbad] field in Basra: United Energy Group (UEG) (Hong Kong)
• Zurbatiya [Zarbatia, Zurbatia], in Wasit and Diyala: not awarded
• Shihabi in Missan and Wasit: not awarded
• Fao, in Basra: not awarded
• Jabal Sanam [Jebel Sinam, Jebel Sanam], in Basra: not awarded
• Offshore Gulf block: not awarded

Abdul Mahdi al-Ameedi, director general of the Petroleum Contracts and Licensing Directorate (PCLD), told Reuters that the failure of five blocks to attract bids was due to a combination of factors, including the fact that some of them cover former battlefields, some are hard to access, and the one offshore plot needs more data.

He said another round could be held for those five blocks.

More details here from Iraq Oil Report (subscription required)

(Sources: Iraq Oil Report, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP)