QatarEnergy, along with its partners TotalEnergies and Basra Oil Company, has announced the start of construction on two key projects in Iraq: the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) and Phase 2 of the Artawi Oil Field Redevelopment. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Baghdad attended by senior officials including Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and Hayyan Abdul Ghani Al-Sawad, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil.
These projects are described as the final major components of Iraq’s Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP), which aims to upgrade the country’s energy infrastructure. The GGIP is being developed by QatarEnergy (holding a 25% stake), TotalEnergies (45%, operator), and Basra Oil Company (30%).
A joint statement reaffirming partnership and commitment to executing the GGIP was signed by QatarEnergy, TotalEnergies, Basra Oil Company, representatives from the Government of Iraq led by Prime Minister Al-Sudani, and the Iraqi Ministry of Oil represented by Minister Al-Sawad.
His Excellency Minister Al-Kaabi stated: “This milestone marks a pivotal step in our shared journey with Iraq toward energy resilience and sustainability. The launch of the CSSP and the Artawi Phase 2 Project reflects our deep commitment to Iraq’s energy sector and economic growth.”
He added: “We are proud to collaborate with TotalEnergies and Basra Oil Company on this transformative initiative, and we extend our sincere appreciation to the Iraqi leadership and authorities for their continued support and partnership in making this vision a reality.”
The CSSP will process up to 5 million barrels of seawater daily for delivery to oil fields in southern Iraq. This project is expected to reduce freshwater withdrawal from local rivers such as the Tigris and Euphrates. By freeing up approximately 250,000 cubic meters of freshwater per day that would otherwise be used in oil production processes, it aims to help address water scarcity issues in the region while supporting agriculture. Operation of this facility will be handled by Basra Oil Company.
The Artawi Phase 2 Project targets increasing oil output from the Artawi field to 210,000 barrels per day starting in 2028. Once finished, it is projected that Artawi will become one of Iraq’s lowest-emission oil production sites.
Total investment across all phases exceeds $13 billion. The GGIP includes efforts such as capturing gas currently flared at three southern oil fields—gas which will instead be supplied to power plants—and developing a solar farm with a capacity of 1 GWac (1.25 GWp). Another component involves treating large volumes of seawater for use in maintaining pressure at various oil fields.
