In line with its targets for increasing crude oil production to 6.2 million barrels per day (bpd) by end-2020 and 9 million bpd by end-2023, up from the current 4.6 million bpd or so and on a par with Saudi Arabia’s output, Iraq has made it clear to foreign and domestic oil field developers alike that increases must be made or contracts will be reviewed. Three key fields are currently in the spotlight – Rumaila, West Qurna 1 , and Gharraf – with more to follow shortly. Ongoing infrastructure constraints, however, may continue to thwart the realisation of these ambitions on schedule. According to figures released recently by Iraq’s Oil Ministry, the long-time stalwart field of Iraq’s oil production – Rumaila (which together with Kirkuk has produced around 80% of Iraq’s total cumulative oil production) – produced 1.467 million bpd over the course of 2018, its highest annual rate […]