By John Lee. A new hydrocarbon discovery has been made at the Qurnain exploration block in southwest Iraq, marking the first oil find at any block awarded under the fifth supplementary and sixth licensing rounds. The discovery was confirmed following the drilling of exploratory well Shams-11, which began on 10th January 2026. A potential hydrocarbon […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Oil Exploration Company has completed a 2D seismic survey at the Qarnain block in Najaf province, finishing 31 days ahead of the scheduled timeline. The survey covered 2,850 kilometres and recorded 47,500 energy points, achieving a completion rate of 108 per cent. Work began on 10 October 2025 and concluded […]
By John Lee. The Iraq Oil Exploration Company has completed a two-dimensional seismic survey programme for the Al-Qurnain exploration project in Najaf province, aimed at expanding Iraq's geological database and supporting future oil and gas discoveries. The project forms part of efforts by the Ministry of Oil to strengthen hydrocarbon exploration activities and increase the […]
By John Lee. Iraq's state-owned Oil Exploration Company and Al-Qarnain Petroleum, a subsidiary of China's ZhenHua Oil, have signed a contract for a two-dimensional seismic survey of the Al-Qarnain (Al-Quraynan) exploration block. Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul Ghani, described the block as a promising oil and gas prospect on Iraq's border with Saudi Arabia. According […]
By Simon Watkins for the OilPrice.com. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. China Tightens Its Grip On Iraq With Major Successes in Licensing Rounds With this new slew of oil and gas license awards, it may be that China has ultimately got […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Oil has concluded its fifth-plus and sixth oil and gas licensing rounds, with Chinese companies winning most of the fields awarded: Fifth-plus licensing round: Abu Khema: Zhenhua Oil Ad Daimah: KAR Group Alan: KAR Group Block 7: China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Dhufriyah: Anton Oil Fao: United Energy […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul-Ghani has announced the launch of the sixth licensing round for exploration of 11 gas blocks: Tel Hajar (Tell Al-Hajjar) Block - Nineveh Governorate Khliesiea (Al-Khaleesa) Block - Nineveh and Anbar Governorates Anbar Block - Anbar Governorate Anah (Aana) Block - Anbar Governorate Anz (Al-Anz) Block - […]
