A delegation including Basra Commander Lieutenant General Dzhamil Ash-Shimmari, Energy Police General Director Major General Kasim At-Tamimi, South Oil Police Brigadier General Ali Gleil and Basra Oil Company (BOC) General Director Ikhsan Ismail visited LUKOIL’s West Qurna-2 oilfield in the Basra region of southern Iraq.

Participants met to coordinate Iraqi security forces, the BOC and LUKOIL Middle East in their efforts to provide safety and security to personnel and production sites in light of recent protests in Iraq.

Lieutenant General Dzhamil Ash-Shimmari noted LUKOIL’s special place among IOCs in Iraq in light of its dedication to developing the local oil sector. He noted that the security situation at the oilfield is being stabilized thanks to the efforts of local special forces that were sent to support oil police.

LUKOIL Mid-East General Director Gati Al-Jebouri mentioned West Qurna-2’s accomplishments and its prospects for the coming seven years, pointing out that the planned increases in output are contingent on a guaranteed level of security.

Mr. Al-Jebouri also emphasized the company’s intention to provide jobs, including through local contractors. Delegates expressed their gratitude for LUKOIL’s initiatives in providing local jobs and reducing social tensions in the area, pointing out that they expect similar efforts from other IOCs.

Lieutenant General Dzhamil Ash-Shimmari brought up plans to create a special security unit at each oilfield; this initiative was supported by all participants, who were interested in guaranteeing the safety of all LUKOIL Middle East employees and its contractors. LUKOIL, in turn, reaffirmed its commitment to realizing the West Qurna-2 project in full.

Background:

In April 2018, LUKOIL and the Basra Oil Company signed a Development Plan for the West Qurna-2 field that provides for an oil production plateau of 800 thousand barrels per day. According to the plan, oil production will reach 480 thousand barrels a day by 2020 and 800 thousand barrels a day by 2025. This will happen thanks to the drilling and commissioning of new production and injection wells and the construction and launch of oil treatment, storage and transportation facilities as well as facilities for gas treatment and power generation.