Iraq Partners with Chevron on Major Oilfield Development Project

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has signed an agreement with US energy giant Chevron to provide technical consultancy services for the development of the West Qurna-2 oilfield. The agreement was signed under the patronage of Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi, according to a statement issued by the ministry's Government Media and Communications Office.

The technical consultancy services will be provided by Chevron to the state-run Basra Oil Company as it negotiates the development of West Qurna-2. This oilfield is one of Iraq's major oilfields and the agreement comes as Iraq seeks to strengthen cooperation with major international energy companies to develop its oil sector and increase production.

The signing ceremony was attended by Naseer Aziz, Deputy Minister of Oil for Upstream Affairs; the Director General of Basra Oil Company; the Director General of the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO); and the Director General of the Petroleum Contracts and Licensing Directorate. Iraq has been hosting several major Western energy companies, including British oil giant BP and French energy company TotalEnergies.

The move is seen as part of Iraq's efforts to boost its oil production from major fields, which include Rumaila and Kirkuk. US energy company ConocoPhillips has also expanded its presence in Iraq through a stake in BP Energy of Kirkuk Ltd., which is involved in efforts to redevelop oilfields in the Kirkuk region.