BAGHDAD, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Oil Ministry announced Tuesday the official launch of drilling operations at the Akkas gas field in the western province of Anbar, marking a significant step in the country's strategy to develop domestic gas production and reduce imports.
A ministry statement said the announcement was made during the launching ceremony by Basim Mohammed Khudhair, Iraq's deputy oil minister for extraction affairs.
The field, one of Iraq's largest gas fields, commenced its first phase of accelerated production with a capacity of 100 million standard cubic feet (scf) of gas per day, and subsequent phases will follow to reach the target capacity of 400 million scf per day, it said.
The project is of strategic importance for securing the energy needs of domestically-produced gas and supporting the national grid, Khudhair said, adding that it also plays a role in supporting the national economy and providing job opportunities for citizens.
The field development project is being carried out by Iraq's state-run Midland Oil Company in collaboration with U.S. oilfield services firm SLB (previously known as Schlumberger), as part of the Oil Ministry's plans to enhance investment in the gas sector and reduce reliance on imports, it added.
The Midland Oil Company signed a deal with the American company to develop the Akkas gas field in July 2025.
Iraq has about 132 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves. But the country flares much of the gas that comes up with oil due to a severe lack of infrastructure to capture and utilize, and relies on gas imports to feed its power plants.
The Iraqi government is now working to reduce gas flaring and increase domestic gas development to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on imports.
