Iraq Artawi oilfield development is moving forward after the government approved two major contracts. These deals involve Turkey’s ENKA and China’s Sinopec, two global energy and construction leaders.
The cabinet awarded Sinopec the Networks and Well Platforms tender for the second phase of the oilfield. Sinopec, a state-owned Chinese company, ranks among the world’s largest integrated energy firms. This award will strengthen its role in expanding Iraq’s oil production capacity.
At the same time, the cabinet granted ENKA a direct contract for the Artawi Central Processing Facility. However, ENKA, a Turkish multinational company, has a strong reputation in construction and engineering. This deal allows the firm to deliver advanced processing facilities without delays.
The Artawi oilfield, located near Basra in southern Iraq, holds estimated reserves of 2.4 billion barrels. Current output stands at about 60,000 barrels per day. With these new projects, Iraq expects production to rise sharply to around 210,000 barrels per day. This large increase highlights the importance of Iraq Artawi oilfield development in national energy planning.
Oil Minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani explained that Artawi is unique because it produces three grades of high-quality oil. This makes the field valuable not only for Iraq but also for international buyers seeking diverse crude blends.
The oilfield is also part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project, a $27 billion deal signed with TotalEnergies. This major project aims to reduce gas flaring, expand electricity generation, and boost Iraq’s energy independence. Under this plan, the Artawi field will supply associated gas to a new processing plant with a capacity of 600 million cubic feet. The project will roll out in two stages to meet growing energy demand.
The ministry also plans to collaborate with TotalEnergies to use associated gas from five Basra oilfields, including Artawi. This move aligns with Iraq’s strategy to capture natural gas that would otherwise be wasted, supporting both environmental goals and domestic energy needs.
Iraq Artawi oilfield development signals a major step in boosting the country’s oil and gas sector. With ENKA and Sinopec leading key phases, Iraq positions itself for stronger production, better resource management, and enhanced cooperation with international energy firms.