Chinese state firm Sinopec is no longer involved in developing Iraq’s 4.5tcf Mansuriya gas field in Diyala province (see map, MEES, 6 October), according to the oil ministry’s petroleum contracts and licensing directorate (PCLD). Speaking to media during a briefing session on the country’s upcoming fifth plus and sixth licensing rounds, PCLD deputy director general Mohammed al-Saadi says that Iraq is now engaging with other firms to develop the field. He adds that at least two firms have shown interest.
Sinopec originally won a contract to develop the field in 2021 (MEES, 23 April 2021), targeting eventual output of 300mn cfd, but withdrew after a failure to agree terms with Baghdad. In March, the country’s oil minister Hayan Abdulghani stated that talks were ongoing with a replacement for Sinopec, and if those wouldn’t advance then the field would be part of the upcoming rounds (MEES, 31 March). Mansuriya has not been included in the combined thirty blocks on offer in both rounds (MEES, 6 October). (CONTINUED - 164 WORDS)