Iraq’s Oil Minister Hosts German Delegation to Boost Energy Sector Cooperation

On Monday 4th March, Engineer Hayan Abdul-Ghani Al-Suad, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, met with a German delegation consisting of representatives from the German Embassy in Baghdad, the German Chamber of Commerce, and several companies specialising in both the oil and non-oil sectors.

The meeting underscored Iraq’s ongoing commitment to strengthening partnerships with international companies, particularly those from Germany, which are well-regarded for their expertise and high-quality standards in various industrial fields.

During the meeting, Minister Al-Suad highlighted the substantial strides Iraq has made in advancing its oil sector, especially in optimising the investment of gas resources. He explained that Iraq has made significant progress in the utilisation of associated gas, with investment rates having increased from 53% to more than 67% in recent years. The Minister reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to ending gas flaring by 2028 and achieving self-sufficiency in gas production.

The Minister also noted several major projects currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Oil, including the Basra Gas Development Project with TotalEnergies, which aims to invest in 600 million cubic metres of gas over two phases. Additional projects are focused on the development of the Al-Mansuriya and Akkas fields, and the Ministry has signed contracts for the development of 14 fields and exploration blocks. These initiatives were highlighted during the fifth and sixth supplementary licensing rounds.

Al-Suad further outlined investment opportunities in oil and gas fields that were not awarded in previous licensing rounds, emphasising the Ministry’s efforts to develop these resources through collaborative projects with global companies.

In response, the German companies presented an overview of their activities, offering their services for cooperation with the Ministry of Oil and its affiliated bodies in various fields, including exploration, pipeline infrastructure, laboratories, training, and the supply of equipment and materials for oil installations.

This meeting marks a significant step in Iraq’s ongoing efforts to enhance international collaboration within its energy sector, focusing on the advancement of technology and expertise, as well as meeting the country’s ambitious goals for gas and oil development.

Source: Ministry of Oil