Occidental, Pertamina Mull Sonangol’s Iraqi Oilfields

Occidental Petroleum and Pertamina are contemplating taking stakes in Sonangol’s two Iraqi oilfield projects.

Sonongal is looking for international partners to help develop the fields.

J da Graca Luis, Sonangol’s asset manager for Najmah and Qayara, told Reuters that the proposal is for Sonangol to have a 45% stake in Najmah and Qayara.

Currently, Sonangol has a 75% stake in the oilfield projects, with Iraq National Oil Company holding 25%.

The Qayara field, which has an estimated 800 million barrels, and Najmah, with 900 million barrels, are located in the Nineveh province in northern Iraq.

Sonangol plans to invest $2bn in Qayara and will encourage the development of a small refinery nearby to help refine heavy oil in the reservoirs, however, the refinery will not be a pre-condition for the deal.

An initial development plan for the fields is expected to be ready next month, Luis said.