Iraqi PM Mohammed al-Sudani on 8 June inaugurated the 300mn cfd Gas Processing Project (GPP) at the CNPC-operated 400,000 b/d-capacity Halfaya oil field in Maysan province. The two 150mn cfd units reached mechanical completion in October (MEES, 6 October 2023) and the Chinese state firm’s engineering arm, CPECC, began commissioning the long-delayed $1.07bn project in March (MEES, 16 February). Inauguration comes just in time for summer, with sales gas earmarked for the nearby 840MW Missan CCGT and 180MW Kahlaa gas turbine plants.

The project will also produce 20,000 b/d of condensate which will be blended with Iraq’s crude exports to help lighten the API to meet specifications, in addition to 1,000-1,200 t/d of LPG. The GPP is Iraq’s most notable gas processing addition this year (MEES, 8 March). Deputy Minister For Gas Affairs, Izzat Sabir, says Iraq aims to capture up to 78% of its 3bn cfd of raw gas output by end-2024, implying a fall in flaring to a record low 22%. (CONTINUED - 160 WORDS)