West Qurna Field
{{Infobox oilfield
| name = West Qurna
| country = Iraq
| region =
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| offonshore = onshore
| location_map = Iraq
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| coordinates = {{coord|30|53|7|N|47|17|27|E|type:landmark_source:eowiki_region:IQ|display=inline,title}}
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| relief = yes
| operator =
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| partners =
| owner = Iraq National Oil Company
| contractors = ExxonMobil, Shell, Lukoil, Statoil
| image =
| caption =
| discovery = 1973
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| recover_oil_bbl = 43000
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West Qurna ({{langx|ar|غرب قرنة}}) is one of Iraq's largest oil fields, located north of Rumaila field, 65 km northwest of Basra. West Qurna is believed to hold {{convert|43|Goilbbl}} of recoverable reserves – making it one of the biggest oil fields in the world. Until 2009, the field was closed to Western firms.
{{cite news
| url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125741092983330293
| title= Iraq Awards West Qurna-1 Oil Field to Exxon, Shell
| publisher= Wall Street Journal
| author = Gina Chon
| date=2009-11-05
| access-date=2010-04-19
}}
Phases
=West Qurna Phase I=
In November 2009, an ExxonMobil - Shell joint venture won a $50 billion contract to develop the {{convert|9|Goilbbl|adj=on}} West Qurna Phase I.
{{cite news
| url= https://www.forbes.com/2010/01/21/biggest-oil-fields-business-energy-oil-fields.html?boxes=businesschannelsections
| title= The World's Biggest Oil Reserves
| work= Forbes
| author = Christopher Helman
| date=2010-01-21
| access-date=2010-04-19
}} As per Iraqi Oil Ministry estimates, the project required a $25 billion investment and another $25 billion in operating fees creating approximately 100,000 jobs in the underdeveloped southern region. ExxonMobil was to increase the production from {{convert|0.27|to|2.25|Moilbbl/d}} within seven years. The Iraqi government, in turn, was to pay $1.90 per barrel produced by ExxonMobil-Shell alliance.{{cite news | url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/05/exxonmobil-iraq-oil-contract-qurna | title= ExxonMobil wins $50bn contract to develop West Qurna oilfield | work=The Guardian| author = Martin Chulov | date=2009-11-05 | access-date=2010-04-19}} In November 2023, PetroChina took over as the main operator of West Qurna 1, replacing ExxonMobil.{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2024 |title=ExxonMobil hands over operations at West Qurna 1 oilfield to PetroChina |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/exxonmobil-hands-over-operations-west-qurna-1-oilfield-petrochina-2024-01-01/ |website=Reuters}}
=West Qurna Phase II=
In December 2009, Russia's Lukoil and Norway's Statoil were awarded the rights to develop the {{convert|12.88|Goilbbl|adj=on}} West Qurna Phase II oil field. The Lukoil-Statoil alliance will receive $1.15 per barrel that they produce. In addition, they will work to raise output from West Qurna 2 to {{convert|120000|oilbbl/d}} by 2012{{cite news | url= http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINLDE63Q1VS20100427| archive-url= https://archive.today/20120713162001/http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINLDE63Q1VS20100427| url-status= dead| archive-date= July 13, 2012| title= Iraq's West Qurna to hit 120,000 bpd in 2012 | publisher= Reuters | author = Simon Webb| date=2010-04-27 | access-date=2010-05-21}} and {{convert|1.8|Moilbbl/d|m3/d}} over a period of 13 years.{{cite news | url= https://www.foxnews.com/story/russian-oil-giant-wins-big-in-iraq-auction | title= Russian Oil Giant Wins Big in Iraq Auction | publisher= Fox News | date=2009-12-12 | access-date=2010-04-19}}{{cite news | url= http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article204022.ece | title= Iraq sets West Qurna date | newspaper = Upstream Online | publisher = NHST Media Group | date=2010-01-20 | access-date=2010-04-19}} In March 2012, Statoil sold its 18.75% stake in the field to Lukoil, giving the Russian firm a 75% stake, and leaving the Iraqi state oil company with 25%.{{cite web|url= https://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL5E8E714T20120307 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064349/http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL5E8E714T20120307 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2016-03-04 |title=Iraq approves Statoil sale of oil field stake to Lukoil |publisher=Reuters|access-date=2012-03-07}}
In 2023 Lukoil announced it is planning to double the production of oil from the West Qurna Field 2, to 800,000 bpd.{{cite web |title=Russia's Lukoil To Double Oil Output At Iraqi Field West Qurna 2 To 800,000 Bpd |url=https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Russias-Lukoil-To-Double-Oil-Output-At-Iraqi-Field-West-Qurna-2-To-800000-Bpd.html |date=2 November 2023}}
=Water-injection project=
A new joint multibillion-dollar water-injection project will be awarded to operator ExxonMobil. The project includes construction of a plant which will help 6 major oil-field development projects by producing {{convert|10|-|12|Moilbbl|m3}} of water per day. The alliance will include Shell, Eni, Lukoil, CNPC and Petronas.{{cite news | url= http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?hpf=1&a_id=91246 | title= Exxon Spearheads Iraqi Water-Injection Project | publisher= Rigzone | author = Hassan Hafidh | date=2010-04-19 | access-date=2010-04-19}}
See also
{{Portal|Iraq|Energy}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Iraq/Background.html U.S. Energy Information Administration Country Analysis Brief]
- [http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/11/05/90303.html Exxon-led group clinches Iraq's W.Qurna contract]
- [http://www.gulfoilandgas.com/webpro1/MAIN/Mainnews.asp?id=9624 Exxon, Shell Win Iraq's West Qurna Contract]
Category:ExxonMobil oil and gas fields