Meet Top Iraqi Officials at IBBC Conference

Hear Iraq’s principal ministers and financiers share their vision and policies for Energy, Finance and Educational sectors at IBBC’s Mansion House conference on 24th May.

Iraq is on the cusp of forming a new Government and is benefitting from high oil revenues and stability. The IBBC Spring conference is ideally timed for a potential new Government announcement with key players in both oil and finance speaking and sharing their vision of what policies and the future landscape lies in store for Iraq and the private sector.

Iraq is clearly open for business, and we can expect to hear strong indicators of where the economy and investment will be directed and how banks and government expect to achieve this.

Addressing the new government agenda of reforms, we have a panel dedicated to the Iraqi Government White paper, led by Dr Alaa, the executive director or the Prime Minister’s reform unit.

It is also expected that the Minister of Oil will announce several investment opportunities that will be discussed in a separate session after the energy panel during the afternoon

This is your opportunity to meet these confirmed speakers: the Minister of Oil H.E. Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismaael, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, H.E Mr. Mustafa Ghalib Mukheef, Ms Taif Sami, Deputy Minister of finance, the Minister of youth and sport H.E. Adnan Darjal Motar Al-Rubaye, and higher education, as well as a Dr Salem Chalabi, President & Chairman of the Trade Bank of Iraq and a delegation of Iraqi private banks. In addition, key IBBC members including BP country director Zaid Elysari, Shell, Total, GE, Siemens, KBR, SKA, Serco, Petronor and Petrofac, PWC, EY, Standard Chartered Bank, JP Morgan, TBI, SAP, Barclays, City and Guilds among many, and from the UK Government Mr Louis Taylor, director of UKEF are attending.

The overall theme will examine how Iraq can sustain economic growth going forward, through the significant speaker energy, finance and Insurance panels who will discuss this at length.

New topics include privatisation of state-owned enterprises at a round table discussion led by Prof. Frank Gunter with the participation of the Prime Minister’s Office, additionally, a special paper on the subject written by members of the IBBC Advisory Council will be launched on the day and form the backdrop of the discussion.

Panels on project finance and energy transition are included during the day.

Beyond these topics many companies will find ample opportunity to meet the key speakers, as well as network with large businesses in Iraq and UK during the conference and in separate sessions. IBBC constantly advocates for the opportunity of private business to change economies and this conference confirms the benefits business brings to Iraq.

Economic sustainability is not just confined to energy and finance sectors as the knock-on effect of an expanding economy is creating big demand for skilled employees across all sectors, an issue that will be addressed by the educational panel including MSelect, who’s Iraq employment report has shed great light on the unprecedented nature of skills and sectoral requirements and how they might be addressed.

IBBC are very proud to be holding, possibly our best conference and we hope those companies’ operating in Iraq and considering joining our council, will attend at this time of opportunity and evolution for Iraq’s economy to meet the people who are shaping its future.

Click here to register.

(Source: IBBC)

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US Law Firm Awarded for Iraq Advisory Role

By John Lee.

New York-based law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has won the Infrastructure and Energy Projects Team of the Year award at Law.com International’s Middle East Legal Awards 2022.

According to a press release from the firm, it “was recognized for advising on Iraq’s gas growth integrated project, one of the largest projects ever in Iraq.”

The firm represented the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and two Iraqi state-owned companies, Basra Oil Company (BOC) and South Gas Company (SGC), in the major $27-billion investment project with France’s TotalEnergies.

Cleary partner Andrew Bernstein and associate Jad Nasr were mentioned as part of the team advising the Iraqi government in a Law.com International article about the deal.

The firm had previously advised Iraq’s oil ministry on a $17.2 billion deal with Shell and Mitsubishi to develop the infrastructure required to process natural gas in the southern part of Iraq.

(Source: Cleary Gottlieb)

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OPEC increases Iraq’s Oil Quota

By John Lee.

OPEC has reportedly agreed to increase Iraq’s oil production to 4.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in June.

The state-controlled Iraqi News Agency (INA) quotes Iraq’s representative to OPEC, Muhammad Saadoun, as saying that oil production will then increase by 50,000 bpd each month from July to September.

He also predicted an  average oil price in excess of $100 per barrel until the third quarter of this year.

(Source: INA)

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Iraq debates New Oil Pipeline to Jordan

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

PM Kadhimi under fire as Iraq debates new oil pipeline to Jordan

Since taking office in May 2020, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has placed the activation of an oil pipeline to Jordan at the top of his agenda.

The idea is to transfer crude from the southern city of Basra to the Jordanian Red Sea port of Aqaba, reaching international markets via the Suez Canal.

However, plans for the pipeline have drawn heavy criticism from Iraqi political factions close to Tehran-despite the new opportunities it would create for Iran.

The full report can be viewed here (registration required).

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KRG Denies seizing control of Oil Fields

By John Lee.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has denied seizing the Bai Hassan and Dawd Gurg oil fields in Kirkuk from the Iraqi federal government’s Ministry of Oil.

On Saturday, the North Oil Company (NOC), which is owned by the Iraqi National Oil Company (INOC), claimed that the KRG took over the fields in what it said was a contravention of Iraqi law.

The KRG has issued a statement saying the claims are, “completely untrue and are aimed at sowing discord.

Bai Hassan was originally controlled by the Ministry of Oil (Baghdad), but seized by KRG forces in July 2014. It was subsequently returned to Baghdad (NOC) control in 2017.

(Sources: NOC, KRG)

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Iranian Gas passed off as Iraqi Origin

By John Lee.

Media in Pakistan report that Iranian LPG has been illegally imported into the country under the guise of Iraqi product.

According to Business Recorder, the latest case is one of five ships which are allegedly involved in the illegal import of Iranian LPG using a falsified declaration of origin.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) has reportedly directed the authorities to take action against the carrier.

More here.

(Source: Business Recorder)

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DNO Profits Surge on Back of High Oil and Gas Prices

DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today reported an 84 percent jump in operating profit in the first quarter of 2022 to USD 236 million on the back of high oil and gas prices and solid production performance. Net debt dropped USD 126 million quarter-on-quarter to USD 27 million.

“Oil and gas are back,” said DNO’s Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani, “and of course, DNO never left.” Operations have continued uninterrupted across the portfolio, notwithstanding the challenges faced by the industry in the past two years. “We’ve remained true to our commitment to develop oil and gas in a cost-effective and responsible way,” he added.

In addition to raising investments in its core business with the additional financial firepower, the Company will now step up to pay down debt and return cash to shareholders, according to Mr. Mossavar-Rahmani.

Yesterday, DNO announced a USD 200 million partial redemption of the DNO03 bond. In addition, USD 23.8 million of the bond previously acquired by the Company will be cancelled. At the late May AGM, the Company will ask shareholders to authorize an increase in annual dividend payments from NOK 0.40 to NOK 1 per share and retain the flexibility to resume its buyback program.

As previously reported, gross production at the Company’s flagship Tawke license in Kurdistan averaged 106,500 barrels of oil per day (bopd) during the quarter, of which the Peshkabir field contributed 64,500 bopd and the Tawke field 42,000 bopd. Of the total, 79,800 bopd were net to DNO’s interest. North Sea net production averaged 12,700 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), bringing the Company’s total quarterly net production to 92,500 boepd.

In Kurdistan, DNO has ramped up drilling activities to maintain Tawke license gross production of 105,000 bopd on average in 2022. The first phase field development of the Baeshiqa license has been fast-tracked, with a third well, Zartik-2, currently drilling ahead at 2,300 meters.

In the North Sea, the Company projects net production in 2022 to remain 13,000 boepd on average. DNO’s active 2022 exploration program comprising seven wells was kicked off with the Kveikje discovery well (25-50 million boe gross resources and a DNO participating interest of 29 percent) which has proven up a new play concept in an area offshore Norway in which DNO has a significant acreage position. Six additional exploration wells will be drilled this year.

An earnings call with DNO CFO Haakon Sandborg will be held today at 11:00 (CET). A link to the call is available on the Company’s homepage www.dno.no.

Key figures

Q1 2022 Q4 2021 Full Year 2021
Gross operated production (boepd) 106,465 107,472 108,713
Net production (boepd) 92,548 94,175 94,477
Revenues (USD million) 339 396 1,004
Operating profit/-loss (USD million) 236 128 321
Net profit/-loss (USD million) 140 65 204
Free cash flow (USD million) 152 227 362
Net debt (USD million) 27 153 153

(Source: DNO)

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Genel Energy issues update on Trading and Ops

Genel Energy has issued the following trading and operations update ahead of the Company’s Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’), which is being held today:

Bill Higgs, Chief Executive of Genel, said:

“Our robust financial position continues to strengthen, supporting investment in our organic portfolio as well as our progressive dividend. Despite the result of Sarta-5, the well delivered useful data that we will incorporate together with the results of our next well, Sarta-6, into our forward plans for the field. As we look to add production and further bolster our progressive dividend and create value for stakeholders, we continue to review both organic and inorganic opportunities.”

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

  • $95 million cash proceeds received in Q1 2022 from the Kurdistan Regional Government
  • Free cash flow of $43 million in Q1 2022
    • Margin of $30/bbl in Q1 2022 (2021: $24/bbl), with Brent averaging $102/bbl (2021: $71/bbl)
    • Capital expenditure of $35 million in Q1 2022, of which $19 million was spent at Tawke, and $12 million at Sarta
    • Of the $35 million total invoiced for December 2021 oil sales, $17 million was received in Q1 2022, with $18 million of invoices being received after period end
  • Cash of $356 million at 31 March 2022 ($314 million at 31 December 2021)
  • Net cash of $86 million at 31 March 2022 ($44 million at 31 December 2021)

PRODUCTION

  • Net production of 30,520 bopd in Q1 2022, in line with guidance
  • Zero lost time injuries or Tier 1 losses of primary containment in Q1 2022
  • Tawke PSC (25% working interest)
    • Gross production of 106,470 bopd in Q1 2022, 26,620 net to Genel, of which Peshkabir contributed 64,500 bopd and Tawke 41,970 bopd
    • A high level of activity was maintained at Tawke in Q1 2022, with five wells spud across the Tawke and Peshkabir fields, with a fourth drilling rig set to be added
    • The Peshkabir-Tawke gas project has captured 12 billion cubic feet of otherwise flared gas, equivalent to 766,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, since start up in mid-2020 through the first quarter of 2022. Phase 2 is a $25 million expansion underway at the Tawke field to capture breakthrough gas, set to start in the fourth quarter of 2022. The operator, DNO, is also debottlenecking the Peshkabir gas plant originally designed for 50,000 bopd to handle larger volumes of associated gas from higher field production, which is now averaging 65,000 bopd
  • Sarta (30% working interest and operator)
    • Gross production of 5,590 bopd in Q1, 1,670 bopd net to Genel
    • Sarta-1D was brought onto production on 8 March from the Mus and Upper Adaiyah reservoirs, the same zone on production at Sarta-2. On well test at Sarta-1D the Lower Adaiyah produced at low oil rates with a high water cut while oil was discovered in the Butmah, achieving flow rates of over 1500 bopd, but again with a high water cut. Since coming onstream, production from the Mus and Upper Adaiyah reservoirs at Sarta-1D has been choked back in order to manage pressure decline between the two adjacent take points of Sarta-1D and Sarta-2, and water cut at Sarta-1D
    • Total field production has averaged c.6,150 bopd in May, as we continue to work through a programme to optimise production from the three producing wells
    • Sarta-5 testing completed on 9 May and the well is now suspended. As previously stated, the presence of oil associated with both the primary and secondary Jurassic reservoir intervals, 12 km southeast of the Sarta pilot EPF, will be subject to further investigation and integration into the joint venture’s understanding of the Sarta field and future planning
    • Test results from the Sarta-6 well, c.6 km to the west of the pilot EPF, are expected in Q3
  • Taq Taq PSC (44% working interest and joint operator)
    • Gross production of 5,070 bopd, 2,230 bopd net to Genel
    • As the margins at Taq Taq have increased, planning is underway for the resumption of drilling, with a well expected to spud around the end of 2022

PRE-PRODUCTION

  • Qara Dagh (40% working interest and operator)
    • The evaluation of the QD-2 well and its results is underway, with a decision on licence next steps to be taken later this year
  • Somaliland (51% working interest and operator)
    • Following the successful farm-out in December 2021, preparation is under way for the drilling of a well on the highly prospective SL10B13 block around the end of 2023
  • Morocco (75% working interest and operator)
    • Petroleum Agreement and Association Contract expected to be signed with ONHYM in Q2 2022, with a farm-out programme scheduled to begin later this year

ESG

  • Genel’s 2021 Sustainability Report has been issued today, detailing our environmental performance and the positive impact that we strive to have on the communities in which we operate. 2021 highlights include:
    • 11 social investment and community projects funded and delivered in 2021
    • Zero waste to landfill from operations at Sarta, with 92% recycled
    • Renewable energy feasibility study progressing at Sarta
  • Genel is marking twenty years of operating in the KRI with its Genel20 programme, increasing the scope of our social activities, including a new education initiative set to be launched next week at an event in Dohuk

2022 OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE

  • Guidance reiterated, with production for 2022 at around the same level as the 2021 average
  • The Board is recommending the approval of a final dividend of 12¢ per share (2021: 10¢ per share) at today’s AGM, a distribution of $33.5 million, as we continue to fulfil our aim of paying a progressive dividend

(Source: Genel Energy)

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AirSada wins Medevac Contract with Hyundai in Basra

By John Lee.

The Turkish-based private jet charter company AirSada has won a second contract to supply medical evacuation (medevac) services, this time to South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction in Iraq.

The contract with AirSada, which runs to September 2025, includes air ambulance and medical treatment services.

It was signed by Mr Tolga Urcu, CEO of AirSada, and Mr Joonhwi Lee, Project Manager for Hyundai in Basra.

Earlier this year, the company won a similar contract with Japan’s JGC Corporation.

(Source: AirSada)

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Russian: ‘No objections’ to Kurdistan exporting Gas to Europe

By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Russian ambassador to Iraq: ‘No objections’ to Kurdistan Region exporting gas to Europe

Elbrus Kutrashev (pictured) spoke to the Kurdish news outlet Rudaw about plans to export natural gas from the autonomous part of northern Iraq to Europe in response to the war in Ukraine.

Click here to read the full article.

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