Category: Oil News

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Fmr Australian Exec Arrested over Alleged Iraq Bribery

By John Lee.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has made one arrest, and issued a further two arrest warrants, following an investigation into alleged improper payments made by Singapore-registered Leighton Offshore Pty Ltd, regarding two contracts with Iraq Crude Oil Export in 2010 and 2011.

The Sydney Morning Herald names the arrested suspect as Russell Waugh, a former senior executive from Australian construction giant Leighton Holdings.

Police will allege the key targets of the bribery scheme were Iraqi Ministry of Oil officials and government officials within Iraq’s South Oil Company (SOC).

AFP investigators will allege Leighton Offshore Pty Ltd funnelled bribes through entities associated with a United Arab Emirates-based businessman, and Monaco-based Unaoil, to guarantee approvals for the Iraq Crude Oil Export contracts.

More here and here.

(Sources: Australian Federal Police, Sydney Morning Herald)

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Mansuriya Gas Contract “Cancelled”; Russia “Extremely Interested”

By John Lee.

Iraq has reportedly cancelled a contract to develop its Mansuriya gas field near the Iranian border.

Iraq Business News understands that, under a deal agreed in 2010, the field was being developed by Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) (37.5%), Iraqi Oil Exploration Company (25%), Kuwait Energy (KEC) (22.5%), and Kogas (15%).

According to Reuters, the consortium halted development in 2014 due to security concerns after the so-called Islamic State group overran large parts of Iraq.

Writing in Oil Price, Simon Watkins says “Russia has again made it clear that it is extremely interested in taking over the development contract of Iraq’s Mansuriya gas field following the recent termination of the contract with a consortium led by Turkey’s state-owned TPAO.”

More here and here.

(Sources: Reuters, Oil Price)

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Amarinth delivers $650k Pumps to Garraf Oilfield

UK-based pump company Amarinth has delivered four API 610 VS4 vertical pumps with Plan 53B seal support systems for the Oil Train 5 Project at Garraf oilfield.

Located at the northwest of Al-Refaei, approximately 85 kilometers north of the City of Nasiriya, half way between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the southeast of Iraq, Garraf is the fifth largest oil and gas field in Iraq with estimated reserves of 1 million barrels of oil.

Petronas and its partners are currently increasing production in the field, and the addition of Oil Train 5 is expected to bring this up to 230,000 barrels per day.

The $650,000 order of four API 610 VS4 vertical pumps with Plan 53B seal support systems was placed with Amarinth by China Petroleum Engineering Procurement & Construction (CPECC).

According to a press release from the company, this was the first time that CPECC had ordered from Amarinth and the decision was made based on Amarinth’s proven ability to design and deliver bespoke API 610 pumps for hazardous areas, along with the company’s previous experience of successfully supplying pumps for the Iraq market, all to strict deadlines.

The pumps were manufactured in Inconel Alloy 625, a nickel-based superalloy that possesses high strength properties, resistance to elevated temperatures and excellent protection against corrosion and oxidation. In addition, the Plan 53B seal support systems required a bespoke mounting configuration and piping design.

Amarinth successfully completed the design, manufacture, and delivery within the required 34 weeks.

Oliver Brigginshaw, Managing Director of Amarinth, commented:

“We are delighted with this first order from CPECC, again underlining our strength in the Middle East, and in particular our ability to delivery API 610 pumps into the developing oil and gas projects in Iraq.”

(Source: Amarinth)

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KRG DPM Talabani to Speak at Virtual Kurdistan Iraq Economic Forum

Kurdistan’s Deputy Prime Minister HE Qubad Talabani to Speak at the Virtual Kurdistan Iraq Economic Forum

  • Inaugural Conference set to navigate the economic future Kurdistan and Iraq
  • Conference will include online sessions available live and on demand for all attendees
  • Delegates will gain insights into the latest policy and project announcements, crucial for successful investment decisions in the region as well as the key recovery strategies post pandemic
  • Virtual Event will take place on 17 – 18 November through an interactive platform

CWC and Global Future Energy are hosting the Kurdistan-Iraq Economic Forum with the support of the KRG High Commission to the UK.

Sponsored by Chevron, the Forum aims to be the first gathering dedicated to the economic diversification of the Region, and will include 6 panel sessions, enabling senior decision makers across multiple industries to engage with each other virtually to address current issues and facilitate practical solutions to advance the economy in these challenging times.

Confirmed speakers include:

  1. HE Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq HE
  2. HE Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
  3. HE Karwan Jamal, Kurdistan Region High Representative to the UK, London
  4. HE Dr Amanj Raheem, Cabinet Minister, Member of the Oil & Gas Council, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
  5. HE Kamal Muslim Saeed, Minister of Trade & Industry, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
  6. Matthew M. Zais, Ph.D., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of International Affairs, US Department of Energy

“The Kurdistan Region has an opportunity to become an important commercial centre in Iraq and the region in order to attract foreign investments to implement strategic projects” said Prime Minister Barzani last month at the Supreme Economic Council meeting in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and a number of ministers and governors.

In light of the current unprecedented circumstances, decision-makers and influencers from various industries will gather to unlock new business opportunities on all levels of the economy   by addressing the following themes:

  • Extending the Value Chain beyond Producing Oil: How the Oil Sector Could Enrich Economic Diversification?
  • Kurdistan plans to privatize the electricity sector, opportunities for investors
  • Diversifying the energy mix to increase the role of gas and renewables
  • How to grow non-oil sectors that will provide a sustainable source of growth?
  • Fiscal reforms packages to support the recovery of post pandemic
  • Maximizing strategic alignment with the major companies to support in building the region’s infrastructure
  • Promoting the growth of the economy through innovations in procurement and financial supply chain management processes

Over the past decade, the CWC Iraq Portfolio has hosted over 100+ Ministers and Senior Officials at various events. The Inaugural Kurdistan Iraq Economic Forum will bring together the international commercial executives interested in investing in Kurdistan.  CWC, now a brand of Global Future Energy, will again provide the only international platform for high level stakeholders in the Region to convene.

For further information, visit https://www.kurdistan-economic.com/

To access the full programme, please click here.

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Why you should come to IBBC Conference: Opportunity in Adversity

Why you should come to the IBBC Conference in Dubai, entitled ‘Opportunity in Adversity’

On 19th November the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) is holding its Autumn conference in person at the Address hotel Dubai Marina.

Some would say it’s a brave decision, considering COVID, but others are keen to take up the challenge and opportunity to engage, meet, listen to expert business voices of Iraq and overall have proper opportunities for networking.

Not only do we have a good level of members signed up to attend, but also one of the strongest line ups of speakers, ready and willing to address the opportunities for Iraq in 2020.

The backdrop to this conference is not just COVID, but the election of a new American President, rising oil prices, a fundamental change in the way oil and gas companies are globally which will also affect their work in Iraq, a Government willing and able to make significant changes, in the way finance operates, investors can start up and a white paper that will impact a range of activity and on-going digital modernisation.

All these topics will be covered, and we are expecting significant speakers and attendees from our membership and the Ministry of Oil, the Deputy Minister of Electricity, and online from the World Bank, Central Bank payments director and Ministry of Communications, Mastercard and Zain Cash to name a few.

You can hear about one of the biggest changes as the oil and gas companies redefine themselves as Energy companies, and vertically integrate fuel with electricity generation. BP, Shell, Siemens and Ministry of Electricity will address this and other matters on the Energy panel.

On the Finance panel, we are looking at how to operate successfully in the present very challenging financial situation of the country. New proposals by the Government’s white paper will also be discussed and how these align with the need of private sector.

Finally, the Tech Forum with the World Bank on the digitisation of Iraq, the progress that is being made with GOI, and to hear from Mastercard and GSMA and Thinkbank on consumer online behaviour and attitudes.

Now is a great opportunity for change and we believe Iraq won’t let the opportunity go to waste. Iraq is at a critical inflection point and the Government understands the importance of encouraging the private sector as a vehicle to solving investment, jobs and diversifying the economy at this time, which is why we are expecting a strong attendance from members and speakers alike from sectors crucial to Iraq’s future.

As we look to the coming year, we see a Government making good decisions, investing in large projects, understanding the importance of diversifying its economy and also providing work and opportunity to its young population.

Now is the time to turn up, attend and make plans for the future of Iraq, and we look forward to welcoming you.

Please register here:

https://iraqbritainbusiness.org/event/ibbc-autumn-conference-at-the-address-hotel-dubai-marina

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Iraq “to launch new Basra Medium Crude”

By John Lee.

Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) has reportedly notified clients that it plans to launch a third crude oil export grade in January.

Sources told Reuters that the ‘Basra Medium’ grade will be created by splitting the existing Basra Light production into two grades.

Click here to read the full article.

(Source: Reuters)

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Genel Energy issues Trading and Ops Update

Genel Energy has issued the following trading and operations update in respect of the third quarter and first nine months of 2020.

Bill Higgs (pictured), Chief Executive of Genel, said:

“Genel continues to demonstrate its resilience and ability to be move quickly to navigate changing external conditions. Production has remained robust, increasing quarter on quarter, and first oil at Sarta is also now imminent. Once production from these initial wells has stabilised we expect it to increase our production by over 10%, with potentially far more to come as we appraise what could be the largest field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

“Following the successful completion of our recent refinancing, we have the liquidity to fund the rapid development of Sarta in the case of appraisal success in 2021. Genel’s financial strength and disciplined capital allocation means it is well placed to pursue opportunities for value accretive growth and provide returns to shareholders.“

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

  • $142 million of cash proceeds received in the first nine months of 2020
  • Free cash flow outflow of $5 million in the first nine months of 2020, after $30 million of capital expenditure progressing pre-production assets, and total capital expenditure of $76 million
    • $145 million outstanding from the Kurdistan Regional Government (‘KRG’), of which $121 million owed for production from November 2019 to February 2020, and $24 million in suspended override payments
  • Cash of $341 million at 30 September 2020 ($355 million at 30 June 2020)
  • Net cash of $42 million at 30 September 2020 ($57 million at 30 June 2020)
    • Cash figures are stated prior to the successful completion of refinancing in October 2020
  • Interim dividend of 5¢ per share (2019: 5¢ per share), a distribution of c.$13.6 million, to be paid to shareholders on the register on 13 November 2020

REFINANCING AND FINANCIAL STRATEGY

  • In September 2020, Genel successfully completed the issuance of a new $300 million senior unsecured bond with maturity in October 2025. The new bond has a fixed coupon of 9.25% per annum, compared to 10% for the 2022 bonds
    • At the same time, Genel purchased $223 million of its 2022 bonds at 107 to par. The total cost incurred with the redemption of these bonds was $16 million
    • Following the successful refinancing, the Company therefore has $77 million of 2022 bonds and $300 million of 2025 bonds in issue
  • Genel remains committed to retaining a robust balance sheet, and the successful completion of the bond issuance has allowed Genel to significantly extend its liquidity runway and provides the foundation for a capital investment programme that is flexible and adaptable to the external environment
  • The right level of debt and the resulting liquidity remains under review in the context of planned investment activity, external market conditions and the recovery of KRG receivables, the Company retaining the option of holding an optimised combination of the old and/or new bonds, depending on availability and pricing

OPERATING PERFORMANCE

  • Net production averaged 32,140 bopd in the first nine months of 2020, with net production in Q3 averaging 32,210 bopd (Q2 2020: 30,040 bopd)
  • Production by field was as follows:
(bopd) Gross production

Q3 2020

 Net production

Q3 2020
Tawke 56,880 14,220
Peshkabir 56,860 14,210
Taq Taq 8,580 3,780
Total 122,320 32,210

PRODUCTION ASSETS

  • Tawke PSC (25% working interest)
    • Production at the Tawke PSC increased to 113,700 bopd in the third quarter, up 12% from the prior quarter following a campaign of quick turnaround, low-cost well interventions and the start-up of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s first enhanced oil recovery project
    • The Peshkabir-to-Tawke gas capture and reinjection project, in operation since mid-year, is continuing to cut gas flaring and greenhouse emissions by half at Peshkabir to 7kg CO2e/bbl, while unlocking additional oil at Tawke. By the end of October 2020, two billion cubic feet of gas that otherwise would have been flared had been injected into Tawke, already delivering a positive production response at the field, and at the same time reducing field water production
  • Taq Taq PSC (44% working interest and joint operator)
    • Taq Taq gross field production averaged 8,580 bopd in Q3, following the suspension of drilling activity in H1 2020
    • As previously stated, activity at Taq Taq is focused on optimising cash flow. Appropriate for the external environment, it is not expected that there will be any further drilling activity in 2020

PRE-PRODUCTION ASSETS

  • Sarta (30% working interest)
    • Despite the challenges of COVID-19, first oil is on track for Q4 2020
    • Production will initially be from the Sarta-2 and Sarta-3 wells, and the workover of the former is now underway. It is expected that a stable production level will be reached in Q1 2021
    • Preparations for the 2021 appraisal drilling campaign, which is targeting a material portion of the 250 MMbbls of contingent resources in the Jurassic, are ongoing
    • This appraisal campaign will begin with the Sarta-6 well in H1 2021, followed by the Sarta-5 well and Sarta-1D re-entry. Well pad and road access civil works are well underway at both the Sarta-6 and Sarta-5 locations, and minor remedial civil works are also about to commence at the existing Sarta-1D site. It is expected that all three appraisal wells will complete in 2021, at a cost of c.$40 million net to Genel in 2021
  • Qara Dagh (40% working interest and operator)
    • While challenges caused by COVID-19 remain, the increased certainty in the operating environment, and Genel’s ability to operate under the expected level of restrictions, has allowed the lifting of force majeure at Qara Dagh
    • This has allowed Genel to proceed with approvals for activities necessary in order to reach a spud date for the QD-2 well in Q1 2021
    • The QD-2 well is expected to cost c.$30 million in 2021
  • Bina Bawi (100% working interest and operator)
    • Genel continues to seek a response from the KRG to our proposal submitted in August 2020, which would enable the Company to progress the next stage of activity at Bina Bawi
    • Our proposal highlights the need to engage regional gas buyers on volume and price discovery and to improve project definition by undertaking the detailed front-end engineering of both the upstream and midstream processing facilities
    • Until a satisfactory response is received, Genel will maintain capex discipline, and will only commence investment upon certainty of alignment with the KRG and a clear path to monetisation
  • African exploration assets
    • The uncertainty created by COVID-19, and current macroeconomic conditions, has negatively impacted the search for partners to fund and minimise Genel’s spend on our potentially high-impact exploration wells
    • A farm-out process relating to the highly prospective SL10B13 block in Somaliland (100% working interest and operator) is however continuing, with companies still assessing the opportunity
    • A farm-out campaign is being planned relating to the Lagzira block offshore Morocco (75% working interest and operator), with the aim of bringing a partner onto the licence prior to considering further commitments

ESG

  • Zero lost time injuries (‘LTI’) and zero tier one losses of primary containment in 2020 to date at Genel and TTOPCO operations
    • There has not been an LTI since 2015, with almost 13 million work hours since the last incident
  • Carbon intensity of our portfolio now reduced to 7kg CO2e/bbl of scope 1 and 2 emissions following material reduction in flaring at the Tawke PSC through completion and commissioning of the enhanced oil recovery project
  • Multiple projects are ongoing to support local communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and the pipeline project to transport clean water to over 220 families across five villages neighbouring Taq Taq is now complete
  • Sustainability report in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative standards was issued in September 2020, giving a comprehensive overview of our ESG activities and positions, noting the impact we have had on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (‘KRI’):
    • Since starting work in the KRI Genel has invested c.$60 million in social projects, and $36 million spent on contracts with local companies
    • 245 social investment and community projects funded and successfully delivered
    • Up to 550 local community patients receive free treatment from the TTOPCO medical team per year
    • 250 local people employed at TTOPCO, and 23 local community-centred companies are providing services to Genel’s operations across the KRI, with our operations indirectly supporting a further 350 local people through such contracts

OUTLOOK

  • Payments from the KRG continue to be made, with monthly payments having been received under the KRG’s updated payment schedule for the past seven months
    • Dialogue with the KRG is ongoing regarding a number of topics, including the timing and process of payment of the outstanding c.$150 million receivable
  • 2020 capital expenditure expected to be just over $100 million, in line with guidance
    • Expenditure in Q4 2020 expected to be c.$30 million
  • Operating costs per barrel expected to be $3/bbl in 2020
  • Opex: expected to be c.$35 million, further reduced from the original guidance of c.$40 million
  • G&A: now expected to be c.20% less than previous guidance of $15 million
  • The Company continues to actively pursue additional growth and is analysing opportunities to make value-accretive additions to the portfolio that are consistent with Genel’s strategy

(Source: Genel Energy)

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Lukoil and Iraqi PM discuss Cooperation

The Prime Minister of Iraq, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, and Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismail, received a delegation from LUKOIL on Monday, headed by its President Vagit Alekperov (pictured).

The meeting was also attended by the Russian Ambassador Maxim Maximov.

The parties discussed the progress of the West Qurna-2 project and Eridu field (Block-10), as well as prospects for cooperation in other areas in Iraq.

Prime Minister praised LUKOIL’s operations in the Republic and spoke in favor of expanding cooperation and coordination between LUKOIL and the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

(Source: Lukoil)

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Iraq Increases Oil Exports in Oct

By John Lee.

Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has announced initial oil exports for September of 89,153,899 barrels, giving an average for the month of 2.876 million barrels per day (bpd), up from the 2.613 million bpd exported in September.

These exports from the oilfields in central and southern Iraq amounted to approximately 86,000,000 barrels, while exports from Kirkuk amounted to 2,867,637 barrels. Exports to Jordan were 263,058 barrels.

Revenues for the month were $3.431 billion at an average price of $38.48 per barrel.

September‘s export figures can be found here.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

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