Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has confirmed promising hydrocarbon indications in the Al-Qarnain exploration block in Najaf province, marking a potential addition to the country’s light crude resources as appraisal activities continue.

“Exploration and evaluation work in the Al-Qarnayn area has achieved a high completion rate within the obligations required for the first exploration phase,” said Salim Al-Rikabi, spokesman of the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

He added that the 2D seismic survey has been completed, while work is currently underway to process and interpret old and new seismic data in preparation for the next phases. The ministry is planning to drill another two appraisal wells to further assess the reservoir’s characteristics and production potential.

According to Al-Rikabi, the first exploratory well resulted in the discovery of a promising hydrocarbon presence of light oil, marking the start of the project’s evaluation program.

The project is expected to contribute to Iraq’s light crude reserves, support future production growth and improve the utilization of associated gas, as Al-Rikabi noted.

The well was discovered by China-based Zhenhua Oil in May under Iraq’s fifth supplementary and sixth licensing rounds.

The Al-Qarnain block lies in southwestern Iraq along the border with Saudi Arabia. Spanning 8,773 square kilometers, it is regarded as a highly promising area for oil exploration.

It is worth noting that Iraq’s crude oil production currently stands at 2.75 million barrels per day (mmbbl/d), Oil Minister Basim Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi said at a press conference on August 8.

The country’s oil sector is facing significant export disruptions due to the war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with crude exports falling to around 1.75 mmbbl/d this month.

In response, Baghdad signed a one-year temporary agreement with Türkiye to transport up to 750,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) from the Kirkuk fields through Türkiye’s Ceyhan port, with potential to expand the volume to 1.5 million barrels (nmbbl) under a new agreement to be signed this year.

Iraq is also increasing crude shipments from Basra by tanker, alongside volumes transported north from southern fields through the strategic pipeline.