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Iran Launches Oil Drilling Operation in Maysan, Iraq Common Field | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Iranian onshore oilfield


London-A senior Iranian oil official announced launching drilling activities across the southern Azadegan oilfield, the largest oil field shared between Iran and Iraq.

Iran-based Tasnim news agency reported that the managing director overlooking the drilling project in the Azadegan field, Saeed Nazari, confirmed that at least 20 wells will be established. Three excavators have been placed.

Nazari highlights that heavy duty oil drillers are installed over sections 28, 35 and 81 Azadegan, noting that the drilling rig 81 is operative. A period of 24 months has been defined as the time bar on the project, he said.

According to the 24-month window, operations will gradually increase the number of drilling rigs from three to six.

Oil drillers provided for the project are upgraded with fluid and waste processing gauges, which are set up for environmental purposes.

It is noteworthy that the task of drilling 20 wells, will be fully accomplished by the end of 2017.

Azadegan oilfield is located in the ‘Maysan’ governorate, which is a common area between Iran and Iraq border area, and has witnessed fierce battles during the first Gulf War between the two countries.

In 2009, an Iranian military unit seized Al-Fakkah oil field, located east of Maysan, raising Iranian flags over Iraqi pumps responsible for some production of 10,000 bpd and laying hands on entailed revenues.

Al-Fakkah field lies just 500 m from a common Iraq-Iran border.

Iraq’s government, at the time, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Iranian forces, considering that it violates Iraqi national sovereignty.