First gas from the Miran field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq could be achieved as soon as 2027, making it the semi-autonomous region’s third non-associated gas field to come online. The joint venture partners, US firm HKN Energy and local conglomerate Onex Group, signed a binding term sheet with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in May to develop the field, and expect a production sharing contract (PSC) to be signed within a month.
Kurdistan’s oil and gas sector is subject to considerable geopolitical risks, but there are now indications that the situation is improving. Progress on the Miran gas development follows a recent agreement between the Federal Iraq government and the KRG over a mechanism for exporting Kurdistan’s crude oil through Turkey (MEES, 18 July). The two governments signed a protocol detailing the export mechanism this week (see p15), although negotiations are ongoing with the IOCs operating the fields (MEES, 8 August). (CONTINUED - 653 WORDS)
