07.02.2013
MOSCOW (Iba) ... Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the International Atomic Energy Agency predicts an annual growth of gas production in Iraq has up to 10% minimum is considered the highest growth rate among all the gas-producing countries, noting that energy-mentioned gas production outweigh the need for domestic use .
Maliki said in a speech at the Second Summit of the gas exporting countries held in Russia: that Iraq was identified as a producer and exporter of crude oil since eighty years in the capital, Baghdad, was born in 1960, the Organization of producing and exporting countries (OPEC) did not occupy gas in Iraq an important position like that occupied by gas oil, although that may be known in Mesopotamia nearly four thousand years when أتقدت the flame of natural gas in the Baba Karkar within the city of Kirkuk, became known as the eternal fire.
He added: international oil companies in Iraq did not give the former any interesting little gas so it was most of the gas associated with oil burn waste, in addition to the non-targeting gas exploration but discovery was invader is a loss so exercised telecom companies of the closure of wells which discovered gas, There was no significant change in gas investment only after the nationalization of oil in Iraq, where carried out large-scale projects to invest in gas led to the reduction of heartburn, and managed to Iraq to release gas to the State of Kuwait for several years during the eighties of the last century, but that those projects have not experienced expansions planned because of the policies of wars that have thrown Iraq and the subsequent siege which led to the continuation of gas flaring in large quantities at a time when much needed both to generate electricity or in industrial projects.
And between Maliki: that installed gas reserves in Iraq amounted to 112 trillion standard cubic feet equivalent to 3.4 trillion cubic meters, ranking second century in the world, before entering into the development of the oil and gas sector in 2009.
He continued: that the government of the Republic of Iraq began the implementation of a broad program and an ambition to develop the oil and gas sector in Iraq and opened the doors of cooperation with major international companies and we have taken all measures to stop gas flaring to maximize the benefit from it. Has resulted from the implementation of the program during the biennium (2011-2012) a significant increase in proven oil reserves of more than 150 billion barrels of oil, accompanied by a significant increase in gas reserves due to exploration and development in the whole of Iraq led to the doubling of the previous reserve.
He added: Now that the spare Iraq a long way on the road to building a democratic system and the rule of law, he is paying increasing attention to the development of the economy and diversify sources and improve the working environment and stimulate investment and that within the requirements of the implementation of economic reform programs, legislative and public sector modernization. And falls in this context, attention to strategic planning where the Government of Iraq has launched days before the integrated national strategy for energy and that gave great attention to the oil-like gas and the rest of sub-sectors.
Maliki said: The main strategic directions of the Government of the Republic of Iraq in the gas sector are as follows: -
1. Expand gas reserves in Iraq in general and free gas, especially through the exploration of areas with possibilities promising, has launched this year's licensing round fifth target gas exploration in different parts of Iraq, according to the conditions and arrangements conducive to investors to enable them to development of direct discoveries of commercial, According to the latest studies to the possibility of
Double the current gas reserves because, as it contains probable reserves estimated at 170 trillion standard cubic feet.
2. Will result in the development of the production capacity of crude oil according to the scenario medium and favorite of (9.0) million b / d production capacity of associated gas ranging between 6-7 million standard cubic feet per day as forecasts of international institutions كالوكالة International Atomic Energy annual growth of gas production in Iraq up to a minimum of 10% which is the highest growth rate among all the gas-producing countries. The energy-mentioned gas production outweigh the need for domestic use and there is the commitment of the State to invest gas associated with the product through the construction of infrastructure and institutional capacity necessary for the collection and processing of gas and separated and transferred to the consumption centers was initiated already implementing this commitment, it is planned to be completed gas processing facilities in 2015 and it will be available processing power than energy production and shrink very much flaring.
3. Development and investment of free gas fields discovered previously Card 820 million standard cubic feet where contracts have been signed with three companies / coalitions global.
4. Meet the local needs of both gas and fuel to produce electricity and run factories or nutritious materials for petrochemical and fertilizer industry.
5. Serious thought launched a project to export gas or more neighboring countries or even Europe piped whether or in the form of liquefied gas from the port of praises in the Gulf south of Basra. The vigorous action to implement the pipeline to export gas pipeline with export-oriented across the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and we expect investors to refer the project to the end of this year.
6. Export gaseous fluids that ستفيض large quantities of the need for the local market.
He said al-Maliki: that based on the foregoing, the priority of energy policy in Iraq is a concern with gas being a national treasure and fuel clean, environmentally friendly and a source increasingly important role in the generation of electricity and the establishment of industries strategy for Iraq Kalptrrukemaoyat and fertilizers in addition to providing added value through export to world markets.
He added: The development of energy sources and oil and gas Tsnaahma and Tsidiarhama as raw materials or in the form of oil and gas products will enhance the prestige of Iraq and make it a major player in the global energy markets.
He pointed out: The vision of the Republic of Iraq match and see the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries We share with you our appreciation to the growing importance of gas and hold the same desire to participate to ensure supplies and stabilize the markets of the world as to give increasing attention to environmental initiatives and scientific and technological progress and exchange of experiences between countries. (End)
Link