Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair said on Tuesday that the ministry is developing four strategic projects with French companies as part of a broader effort to expand energy and economic cooperation between Iraq and France. He said the partnership would benefit Iraq’s oil industry by increasing production and export capacity while making better use of gas resources.
The remarks came during an Iraqi delegation’s visit to France led by the prime minister, aimed at strengthening economic and political ties and opening wider cooperation across sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and investment.
Four Strategic Projects With French Firms
Artawi Field and Gas Investment
Speaking to Al-Iraqiya News, Khudair said the ministry is currently creating an attractive investment environment for all companies in order to raise production and export capacity and expand gas investment.
He said French companies, including TotalEnergies, are among the major global firms working with Iraq in the promising Artawi field. The four main projects under discussion are:
– Development of the Artawi field with a capacity of 210,000 barrels per day.
– Gas investment from five fields with a total output of 600 million standard cubic feet per day, implemented in two phases of 300 million standard cubic feet each.
– A seawater injection project to help maintain reservoir pressure.
– A solar power project with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, with the first phase already under way at 250 megawatts.
Expanding Production Capacity
The minister said the projects are part of the ministry’s effort to strengthen Iraq’s production and export capacity while making better use of gas and supporting the shift toward cleaner energy through solar power.
Cooperation With France Opens New Opportunities
Conference Led by the Prime Minister
Khudair said a conference chaired by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and attended by French companies confirmed that the government would work to remove all obstacles to optimal investment in Iraq. He added that Iraq will present projects in oil, electricity, and other sectors in the coming period.
He said cooperation with French companies would serve Iraq’s oil industry and help generate the financial returns needed to build infrastructure and improve living conditions.
The Role of French Companies
The minister said French companies, especially TotalEnergies, are capable of supporting Iraq in large and technically complex projects, particularly in field development, gas utilization, and solar power. He said this aligns with the government’s plan to expand international partnerships and strengthen the investment climate.
Plans to Raise West Qurna Output to 400,000 Barrels Per Day
Development of the Yamama Reservoir
Separately, the Oil Ministry announced plans to raise output from the Yamama reservoir in the West Qurna field to 400,000 barrels per day, using water injection techniques to maintain reservoir pressure.
According to Arab Abdul Khaleq, director of reservoir operations at West Qurna/1, the reservoir department manages and monitors all oil reservoirs in the field. He said the Mishrif reservoir is the main driver of current production, accounting for about 95 percent of total output.
He added that a development plan for the Yamama reservoir aims to reach around 400,000 barrels per day during 2028 and 2029. Production would begin at an initial level of 20,000 barrels per day before gradual expansion based on pressure readings and reservoir monitoring.
Special Technical Measures for High Gas Levels
Abdul Khaleq said the field includes, besides Mishrif, the Zubair reservoir and other discovered but undeveloped reservoirs such as Saadi and Modud, as well as Yamama, for which development requirements are now being completed before it is brought into the production system.
He said reservoir studies for Yamama have been completed, along with drilling about six to seven wells. The oil models were also analyzed for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels to determine the technical specifications required for the facilities.
Water Injection to Sustain Output
He noted that H2S levels in the Yamama reservoir are high, at about 4,000 according to the approved measurements, meaning special facilities must be designed to resist corrosion caused by the gas.
If reservoir pressure declines, one of the producing wells can be converted into a water injection well, with a rate of around 10,000 barrels of water per day for every 10,000 barrels of oil produced. These steps, he said, are intended to preserve reservoir pressure, ensure long-term production, and gradually increase the reservoir’s recovery rate.
Why These Projects Matter
Production, Gas, and Clean Energy
The projects reflect a clear move by the Oil Ministry to combine conventional field development, gas recovery, and solar expansion, giving Iraq more room to diversify energy sources and increase revenue.
Long-Term Strategic Partnerships
The cooperation with French companies, especially TotalEnergies, also shows Iraq’s interest in building long-term strategic partnerships based on investment and modern technology rather than limited service contracts. The projects are expected to support the economy, improve infrastructure, and create jobs.
Conclusion:
Iraq’s Oil Ministry is advancing four strategic projects with French companies, covering the Artawi field, gas investment, seawater injection, and solar power, while also planning to raise output at the Yamama reservoir in West Qurna to 400,000 barrels per day. The push combines higher production, better gas use, and deeper international partnerships as Iraq looks to modernize its energy sector.
