28 September 2004 Iraq’s leading oil field, Kirkuk, may have suffered irreparable damage to its reservoir as a result of the reinjection of fuel oil, refinery residue and gas-stripped oil over the last 15 years, according to Iraqi industry sources. The reinjected products amount to some 1.5 billion barrels, according to one estimate. The process, which was widespread under the former regime of Saddam Hussein, is still continuing, as Iraq…
Tag: Kirkuk
Newly Appointed Iraqi Oil Minister Outlines Priorities
1 June 2004 Iraq’s newly appointed interim oil minister, Thamer al-Ghadban, aims to restructure his ministry and the companies under its umbrella, and to launch a number of long delayed oil development projects, he told Energy Intelligence Briefing on Tuesday, in his first interview after being sworn in. Al-Ghadban was named as part of the new interim government that will take over most of the power from the coalition occupation…
Iraqi Firm Forges Ahead With Drilling Plan Despite Potential War
27 February 2003 Unfazed by the current US military buildup and the potential risk to rigs from air raids or invading forces, Iraq’s Oil Drilling Co. (ODC) is forging ahead with drilling across the country’s oil fields in an attempt to beat its record of last year. But separate activities by foreign drillers under the UN’s oil-for-food program have been hit by the threat of war, with international companies either…
Iraq Targets Pipelines, LNG for Natural Gas Development
24 February 2003 Having missed the boat on sales of natural gas by pipeline to Turkey, despite signing a memorandum of understanding in 1996, Iraqi officials are now drawing up plans to enter the broader international gas market. These include proposals to join a regional gas pipeline network, as well as construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in southern Iraq. Boosting Iraq’s natural gas reserves and export capabilities…