Strategic plans to advance associated gas capture in Iraq achieved substantial momentum across southern provinces, as the Ministry of Oil confirmed that daily treated gas volumes at the Gharraf oil field in Dhi Qar reached 37 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD). The expansion coincides with the accelerated gas project at the Artawi field in Basra reaching 96 percent completion, positioning both facilities for commercial delivery before the end of 2026.
Deputy Minister of Oil for Gas Affairs Izzat Saber Ismail stated that these concurrent operational achievements reflect the government’s commitment to halting routine flaring, processing flared fuel into power plant feedstock, and converting wasted hydrocarbon resources into domestic economic value.
The dual developments form part of an integrated national energy master plan aimed at achieving domestic self-sufficiency in dry gas, lowering dependence on energy imports, and cutting industrial emissions across southern extraction basins through modern separation, sweetening, and compression complexes.
Processing Capacity Rises at Gharraf Field with New Compression Train
Deputy Minister Ismail confirmed that commissioning the new Gas Compression and Conditioning System (GCS) at Degassing Station 2 in Gharraf marks the successful completion of the field’s initial development phase. The modern installation raised daily processing capacity by 15 to 22 MMSCFD, bringing total treated gas output across the field to 37 MMSCFD.
Ismail explained that recovered gas streams are channeled directly to regional thermal power plants, providing a continuous, clean fuel supply while preventing heavy carbon emissions previously generated by open flare pits. The deputy minister praised the collaboration between Iraqi engineers at Dhi Qar Oil Company, lead field operator Petronas, and secondary contractor Italia Fluid.
The ministry affirmed that engineering planning is already underway for Phase 2 at Gharraf to maximize gas recovery ratios and support local industrial consumers across the governorate.
Operational Highlights of the Gharraf Gas Facility
– Commissioning the GCS compression train at Degassing Station 2 with an operating capacity of 15 to 22 MMSCFD.
– Elevating total processed gas capacity across the Gharraf reservoir to 37 MMSCFD.
– Delivering pipeline-grade fuel to domestic power plants across southern grid networks.
– Mitigating toxic emissions to protect agricultural communities neighboring field installations.
Progress on Associated Gas Capture in Iraq via the Artawi Development
In Basra Governorate, the Ministry of Oil confirmed that construction progress on the accelerated Artawi gas venture (AG25) reached 96 percent. Field teams successfully lit the main flare system as part of pre-commissioning checks, preparing the facility for formal commercial launch before the conclusion of 2026.
The AG25 installation is engineered to process 50 MMSCFD of sour raw gas to yield more than 40 MMSCFD of treated dry gas. During a site inspection accompanied by South Gas Company Director General Ali Salman Majeed, ministry officials reviewed mechanical piping, automated control units, and electrical tie-ins.
Concurrently, civil and mechanical works on the larger central Gas Processing Plant (GMP) at Artawi reached 36 percent completion. The first phase of this mega-facility will treat 300 MMSCFD of raw associated gas gathered from the Majnoon, West Qurna 2, and Artawi fields, followed by an identical 300 MMSCFD second train.
Strategic Metrics of the Artawi Upstream Gas Hub
– Achieving 96 percent completion on the fast-track AG25 unit with commercial startup set for late 2026.
– Converting 50 MMSCFD of raw gas into 40 MMSCFD of dry sales gas for electricity generation.
– Reaching 36 percent construction progress on the multi-field central GMP complex.
– Planning a cumulative 600 MMSCFD processing capacity across two operational phases.
Economic and Environmental Returns of Upstream Gas Investments
Accelerating these midstream infrastructure assets delivers critical environmental and macroeconomic benefits. Monetizing associated gas eliminates thousands of tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, while providing domestic industries with steady feedstock and reducing foreign currency outflows previously spent on imported gas supplies.
Energy economists note that full commercial operation at Gharraf and Artawi gives the national electrical grid greater flexibility to sustain baseload generation during peak demand periods. Reliable electricity provision directly supports local manufacturing, creates industrial employment, and reinforces economic recovery across Basra, Dhi Qar, and central governorates.
Conclusion:
The operational milestones announced at the Gharraf and Artawi fields demonstrate concrete progress in expanding associated gas capture in Iraq. By modernizing field infrastructure and meeting contractual schedules, the Ministry of Oil is systematically curbing routine flaring, securing domestic electrical generation, and establishing an environmentally sustainable foundation for the national energy sector.
