Iraq begins exploratory oil drilling in Salahaddin province

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Oil Ministry said drilling began on Saturday on a new exploration well in the Amirli district of Salahaddin province, the first petroleum drilling carried out in northern cities since 1978. The work is being conducted under a tripartite agreement signed between the North Oil Company, the Iraqi Drilling Company and the Petroleum Exploration Company, according to the ministry. Oil Minister Basim Mohammed Khudair said the drilling represents a step in the ministry's strategy to revive long-stalled exploration activity and expand the country's oil and gas reserves. He added that more effective use of geological and geophysical data is intended to strengthen Iraq's hydrocarbon reserves and provide resources for development plans. Khudair said the project reflects the level of coordination between the three national oil institutions and that the cooperation contributes to the most efficient use of hydrocarbon assets. He also described offsetting declining production as a strategic objective and said the exploration work would reinforce Iraq's position in global oil markets. The ministry said exploration activity would continue to expand in promising areas across the country.