TotalEnergies aims to “reduce gas flaring significantly” at the Ratawi oilfield in Iraq where it took over as operator last year, an informed source tells MEES. The French major on 10 January laid the foundation for the 50mn cfd ‘ArtawiGas25’ processing facility, which is targeted for end-2025 completion. Ratawi’s associated gas output of around 30-35mn cfd is currently flared.
If delivered on time, the 50mn cfd “modular design” facility may well end flaring at the Basra field this year. The $250mn project, also dubbed the ‘Accelerated Gas Project (AGP)’ by the oil ministry, will be delivered standalone and is not part of the Total-led 600mn cfd Ratawi Gas Hub. Minister Hayan Abdulghani says the project “is outside the remit of the [original] contract given the need to secure gas to power plants.” The project serves to bridge gas shortages in the run up to the hub’s two 300mn cfd units, which are due online in 2028 and 2030. Bundled into the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP: Total 45%op, Basra Oil 30%, QatarEnergy 25%), Total will also deliver the first 250MW phase of its 1GW solar plant at Ratawi later this year, with deputy oil minister for gas affairs, Izzat Sabir, estimating a combined 500MW generated by gas from ArtawiGas25 and the first solar addition. Basra Oil Co is not a partner at the solar plant. (CONTINUED - 223 WORDS)