Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq’s Ministry of Oil announced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the start of well-drilling operations at the Akkas gas field in Anbar Governorate, marking a major step in boosting domestic gas production and reducing reliance on imports.
In a statement received by IraqiNews.com, the ministry said the first phase of early production has officially begun with a capacity of 100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, with plans to gradually increase output to 400 million standard cubic feet daily. The project is being implemented in cooperation with the American company Schlumberger.
The launch was announced on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil Hayan Abdul Ghani Al-Sawad by Undersecretary for Extraction Affairs Bassem Mohammed Khudair, in the presence of Undersecretary for Gas Affairs Izzat Saber Ismail.
According to the ministry, the Akkas gas field is one of the largest gas fields in Iraq and represents a strategic project for securing national energy needs. Gas produced from the field will supply the Anbar Combined Cycle Power Plant and the Akkas Power Plant, strengthening the national electricity grid and improving energy stability in western Iraq.
The ministry stressed that the project will also support the national economy by maximizing the use of locally produced gas, creating job opportunities for local communities, and advancing Iraq’s long-term goal of developing its gas sector.
Senior officials attended the launch ceremony, including the directors general of the Midland Oil Company, the Petroleum Contracts and Licensing Directorate, and the Reservoirs and Field Development Directorate, alongside security and local government representatives.
The Ministry of Oil reaffirmed that developing the Akkas field aligns with its broader strategy to expand gas investment and cut fuel imports, positioning gas as a cornerstone of Iraq’s energy future.
