Russian state giant Rosneft announced a probable commercial oil discovery this week at its Block 12 acreage in Iraq’s western desert (see map MEES, 25 May), hailing the Salman prospect an “important milestone” in its overseas activity.

No indications were provided on the extent of the discovery and the rate at which the appraisal well produced. But if the Salman discovery is to be brought into production then it will need to be a substantial find. Block 12 is in Iraq’s remote Muthanna province, an underexplored region with minimal oil and gas infrastructure. (CONTINUED - 1051 WORDS)