TotalEnergies, a leading French oil and gas company, has officially started construction on the ArtawiGas25 gas processing facility in Iraq's Basra region. This initiative is part of the broader Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP), a multi-energy project aimed at enhancing Iraq's energy infrastructure and reducing its import bill. The ArtawiGas25 facility, representing a $250 million investment, will process 50 million cubic feet of associated gas per day from the Ratawi field, which was previously flared. This gas will be utilized to supply local power plants, benefiting approximately 200,000 households in the region.

The GGIP, signed in September 2021, is a comprehensive $10 billion project that includes not only the ArtawiGas25 facility but also a large-scale gas processing plant designed to recover flared gas from three oil fields and supply it for power generation, with a capacity of up to 1.5 GW. The project's first phase, which includes the ArtawiGas25 facility, is expected to significantly reduce gas flaring at the Ratawi field by the end of 2025. The innovative modular design of ArtawiGas25 could serve as a model for similar initiatives across other Iraqi oil fields.

TotalEnergies, as the project operator with a 45% ownership share, is working alongside the national Basra Oil Company (30%) and QatarEnergy (25%). The construction of the ArtawiGas25 facility is set to create up to 160 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase and 30 permanent positions once operational. Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies, highlighted the project's importance in providing more energy with fewer emissions, aligning with Iraq's energy needs and the government's expectations.

In addition to the gas processing facilities, the GGIP encompasses the redevelopment of the Ratawi oil field, the construction of a 1 GW solar farm, and a seawater treatment plant. These components are designed to enhance the development of Iraq's natural resources and improve the country's electricity supply. The solar project's construction is due to begin in several weeks, marking another key milestone for the GGIP.

Iraq's government has set a target for the completion of the solar park and the first gas processing plant by 2025. The country hopes that these projects will attract fresh foreign investment into its energy sector, which has seen a decline in activity from major players like Exxon Mobil, Shell, and BP in recent years. The GGIP represents a significant step forward in Iraq's efforts to revitalize its energy sector and reduce its reliance on gas imports.