Japex and Petronas start production at Garraf oil field in Iraq

Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex) has announced the commencement of oil production at the Garraf oil field located in Thi Qar Province, Iraq.

The field is being operated by Malaysian national oil company Petronas. Also involved is state partner North Oil.

The partnership achieved a first commercial production of around 35,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) in 90 days, and plans to increase this to 230,000 bopd by 2017.

The companies acquired rights to the oil field under Iraq’s second petroleum licensing round in December 2009.

A base camp was completed in March 2011. The companies initiated drilling of the wells in June 2011.

Surface facilities have been constructed, which are required for initial production. Two appraisal and nine development wells have also been drilled.

The Garraf oil field was discovered in 1984, and includes an anticlinal structure 17.5km long and 5.5km wide.

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Image: location map of Garraf oil field. Photo: courtesy of Japex.