Iraq: Start of development operations for Abu Khaima oil field near the Saudi-Kuwaiti border

An Iraqi oil sector official announced on Monday that Dhi Qar Oil Company has initiated development steps for the Abu Khayma field in Muthanna Province, located within Iraqi territory on the shared Saudi-Kuwaiti border, in cooperation with China’s Zhenhua Oilfield Service Corporation in the far southwest of Iraq.

Rashid Shurhan, Deputy General Manager of Dhi Qar Oil Company, stated during a ceremony held at the Abu Khayma field site in Muthanna Province that “the Abu Khayma field is witnessing tangible progress in the implementation of its technical program, following the completion of drilling the Abu Khayma-2 well and conducting production tests and evaluations, alongside the commencement of drilling operations for the Abu Khayma-3 well and the imminent launch of a two-dimensional seismic survey program. This represents a coherent series of activities aimed at building an important technical data base for the next phase of development in the field.”

He added that “Dhi Qar Oil Company is closely monitoring work stages on the ground in coordination with the oil exploration company, the field operator, and supporting entities, to integrate national and global efforts in accelerating operations and fulfilling the technical requirements necessary for making informed decisions on future development.”

The work at the Abu Khayma field aligns with the Ministry of Oil’s strategy to develop fields and exploration blocks, particularly those on borders, as Abu Khayma is situated on the Iraqi-Saudi-Kuwaiti border. This location contributes to maximizing the utilization of hydrocarbon resources by employing modern technologies and leveraging global expertise.