Iraq, Syria Studying Plans To Develop Akkas Gas Field In

Iraq, Syria Studying Plans To Develop Akkas Gas Field In Western Desert Iraq and Syria are studying plans to develop the Akkas gas field, which lies in the Western Desert close to the Syrian border, ministers from the two countries said after meetings in Damascus on 20 August. Iraqi Oil Minister Husain al-Shahristani and his Syrian counterpart Sufian 'Alaw discussed cooperation in the oil and gas sector, as well as the refurbishment of the oil pipeline (Kirkuk-Banias) to Syria, a link between the two countries’ gas grids, a longstanding agreement to trade petroleum products and Iraq’s possible farming into the Arab Gas Pipeline project. The Akkas structure – estimated to be 35km in length and 7km wide – was first drilled in 1992 following seismic work in the Western Desert (MEES , 17 August 1992). Under plans published in early 2006, the development of the field formed part of the Oil Ministry’s fast-track plans to rehabilitate the domestic gas system, which included targets to reduce gas flaring by 60% and improve NGL recovery (MEES , 27 February 2006). Existing plans call for the 4.6 tcf field to be developed through the drilling of 14 wells achieving capacity production of 400mn cfd. Fast track first phase production is targeting 50mn cfd from six existing wells. The priority for domestic gas supply will be gas-fired power production and an increase in NGL production, much of which is now covered by imports. Iraq has not exported gas since it invaded Kuwait in 1990 (when it was exporting gas to Kuwait) but Syria is keen to import Iraqi gas in order to bolster its own dwindling production. Iraq’s proven gas reserves stand at some 111 tcf, of which 69% is associated gas, 16% free gas and 15% gas cap. But the agreement with Syria, like those to supply other neighbors with oil and gas, will remain on the drawing board until security is re-established in Iraq.

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidv50n35-3NC14

Iraq invites bids for Akkas gas field • • • •

Published: 06 August 2008 16:22 Author:Perry Williams | More by this Author Last Updated: 06 August 2008 17:34

Iraq's state-run North Oil Company has invited companies to bid for new drilling work at its largest gas field Akkas, and on the East Baghdad oil field as part of plans to redevelop the energy sector.

http://www.meed.com/news/2008/08/iraq_issues_akkas_gas_field_drilling_plan.html