Iraq to begin oil production from the al-Qurnayn field in Najaf in 2027
Initial phase includes four wells; first well to come online in January; production described as initial and testing, not commercial or export-oriented, per Najaf governor's adviser cited by IRNA
IRNA, citing the Najaf governor’s adviser and Al-Sabah, reports that Iraq will begin initial crude production from the al-Qurnayn field in Najaf in 2027 with four exploratory wells, led by Shenhua and the Central Oil Company. Initial output is about 3,248 bpd and is considered testing, not commercial, with broader development and potential expansion to 10 million bpd by 2030 in sight.
Baghdad — IRNA reports, citing the Najaf governor’s adviser and the Al-Sabah newspaper, that initial crude production from the al-Qurnayn oil field, with participation by China’s Shenhua, is to begin at the start of 2027.
According to the adviser, Abdul-Hussein Al-Shibli, the first phase of developing the al-Qurnayn field involves drilling four wells. The first well is expected to come online in January. He stressed that this early phase is experimental and not intended for commercial production or exports. Its purpose is to collect precise operational data to refine reserve estimates and replace theoretical projections.
The four-well results are described as a key input for drawing up a comprehensive development plan, including possible connections to oil transmission pipelines or feed lines for refineries to serve domestic use or export needs.
Al-Shibli noted that the initial production from the exploratory well sits at about 3,248 barrels per day. After drilling and evaluation through June, a clearer picture of the field’s reserves and ultimate capacity should emerge, and if these estimates are confirmed, Najaf Province could become one of Iraq’s main oil production hubs.
The project is being carried out by China’s Shenhua, in partnership with the Central Oil Company. Preliminary estimates indicate that the al-Qurnayn field, discovered in 2026, is located in a desert area near the Saudi border, spanning more than 8,773 square kilometers. Its hydrocarbon endowment is estimated at more than 8 billion barrels of light crude with substantial associated gas.
Iraq’s broader plan to exploit its vast resources, which reportedly exceed 150 billion barrels, includes a strategic objective to raise crude production capacity from the current 4.8 million barrels per day to 10 million bpd by 2030, with involvement from international companies.