Akkas is being developed so that Iraq,OPEC ‘s second largest producer, can increase its gas output.
According to Deputy Oil Minister Hamed Younis, this gas field in the west of the country can produce 400 MMcf/d.
The ministry said it had launched its first phase of work to attract investors.
Akkas is accompanied by several projects
While state-owned Iraqi National Oil Co, its South Korean counterpart Kogas has been planning the field’s development since 2011, before the Daesh terrorist group seized the field in 2014, before being driven out in 2017.
The country is also developing other fields, including Nasiriyah and al-Gharraf with South Gas Co. and Baker Hughes.
Or the Ar-Ratawi field with TotalEneriges to extract more than 12,000 barrels per day (bpd) of condensate and 3,000 of LPG.
Seeking independence from Iran
The aim of the new field is also to stop importing Iranian gas, currently paid for at $8/MMBtu, by 2024-2025.
In the meantime, Baghdad still needs Iranian electricity and gas to avoid summer blackouts.
Since 2018, the country has benefited from a waiver to the sanctions against Iran granted by Washington.
Thus, the Akkas field and other projects respond to domestic needs, but also to diplomatic pressure.