Shafaq News/ Discussions are underway between Iraq and OPEC toinclude the Muthanna among the oil-producing and exporting governorates in thecoming years, Ihsan Abu Jaila, head of the Reconstruction and StrategicPlanning Committee in the Muthanna Provincial Council announced on Tuesday.
Abu Jaila stated, “The Abu Khema oil field, discovered in 1975, isnear the Iraqi-Saudi border and covers 1,809 square kilometers with one well,” adding,“The companies that applied for the licensing include the Chinese firms Zhenhuaand Geo Jade."
“More than eight wells have been explored by the Ministry of Oil inthe Eridu field in Al-Duraji district, drilled by the Bohai and ZPEC companies,”he said, pointing out that several wells, namely Salman 1, Salman 2, and Salman3, have been discovered in Block 12 in Al-Salman district.
The committee head further confirmed that coordination will occurbetween the Ministry of Oil and OPEC to enable the Muthanna to export oil by2025, revealing that “the oil reserves in the Eridu field are estimated to bebetween 8 to 10 billion cubic meters.”
Iraq, OPEC's second-largestproducer, relies on oil exports for more than 92% of its state budget,exporting 60% of its crude oil to Asia, 25% to Europe, and 15% to the US.