RESERVES
Iraqi oil reserves show great potential
Among OPEC Middle Eastern producers, Iraq holds the greatest promise for adding
substantial oil reserves and production. Reserves may be significantly understated.
Dr. Hussain Rabia, Managing Director, Entrac Petroleum Ltd., Reading, UK
According to various literature, Iraq contains between 110
billion and 115 billion bbl of oil, and 112 Tcf of gas.1 These es-
timates put Iraq second in a listing of global reserves, Table 1.
The 115-billion-bbl figure comes from OPEC sources,
Table 1. However, other estimates come from well-respected
international bodies, including: 200 billion bbl by Petroleum
Economist magazine, 215 billion bbl by the Federation of
American Scientists, 220 billion bbl by the Council on For-
eign Relations and the James A. Baker III Institute at Rice
University, and 300 billion bbl by the Centre for Global En-
ergy Studies and Petrolog & Associates. This last estimate puts
Iraq ahead of Saudi Arabia, implying that Iraq contains 25%
of world oil reserves. The term, oil reserves, refers to liquid oil
and gas, and not to oil sands and other solid hydrocarbons.
Variations in the above values stem from the inexact sci-
ence of reserve estimation. Reserve estimates are controlled
by various technical factors and, unfortunately, political fac-
tors. The latter are used to increase an OPEC country’s oil
reserves to enhance its bargaining power, or, in a non-OPEC
country, to attract foreign investment. This article concen-
trates only on technical factors used to estimate reserves.
In terms of reserves, most experts agree that Iraq is the
world’s last unexplored oil province, despite being a producer
since the 1930s. Since oil was discovered in the 1920s, the
country has never had a long period of political stability. This
has precluded proper planning and development of resources.
The outline below is a brief walk through Iraq’s oil history:
•  1923—First oil discovery in the Naft Khana area
•  1939-1945— World War II; Exploration stops, as Iraq is
a British protectorate
•  1948—Zubair field discovery
•  1953—Rumaila field discovery
•  1958—Overthrow of the monarchy and establishment
of a republic state
•  1960—Law No. 80 introduced
•  1961—Implementation of above law and suspension of
IPC exploration. Law 80 is introduced, limiting exploration
in Iraq to the Iraqi National Oil Co.
•  1973—Arab-Israeli war; Iraqi oil production is tempo-
rarily suspended
•  1981-1988—Iraq/Iran war; oil production is interrupt-
ed. Investment in oil industry is greatly reduced. Limited ex-
ploration drilling is carried out
•  1991—Iraq invades Kuwait, oil production stops
•  1991-1996—Global sanctions on Iraq
•  1996-2003—Oil for food program allows about 2 mil-
lion bopd to be sold
•  2002 ( April)—Iraq suspends oil exports for a month in
support of Palestinian uprising
Table 1. Proven oil reserves of some major
OPEC countries, 1980–2003, billion bbl
Saudi
Year U.A.E. Iran Iraq Kuwait Arabia Venz.
1980 30.4 58.3 30.0 67.9 168.0 19.5
1981 32.2 57.0 32.0 67.7 167.9 19.9
1982 32.4 56.1 59.0 67.1 165.5 24.9
1983 32.3 55.3 65.0 67.0 168.9 25.9
1984 32.5 58.9 65.0 92.7 171.7 28.0
1985 33.0 59.0 65.0 92.5 171.5 54.5
1986 97.2 92.9 72 .0 94.5 169.7 55.5
1987 98.1 92.9 100.0 94.5 169.6 58.1
1988 98.1 92.9 100.0 94.5 255.0 58.5
1989 98.1 92.9 100.0 97.1 260.0 59.0
1990 98.1 92.9 100.0 97.0 260.3 60.1
1991 98.1 92.9 100.0 96.5 261.0 62.7
1992 98.1 92.9 100.0 96.5 261.2 63.3
1993 98.1 92.9 100.0 96.5 261.4 64.5
1994 98.1 94.3 100.0 96.5 261.4 64.9
1995 98.1 93.7 100.0 96.5 261.5 66.3
1996 97.8 92.6 112.0 96.5 261.4 72.7
1997 97.8 92.6 112.5 96.5 261.5 74.9
1998 97.8 93.7 112.5 96.5 261.5 76.1
1999 97.8 93.1 112.5 96.5 262.8 76.8
2000 97.8 99.5 112.5 96.5 262.8 76.9
2001 97.8 99.0 115.0 96.5 262.7 77.7
2002 97.8 130.7 115.0 96.5 262.8 77.3
2003 97.8 133.3 115.0 99.0 262.7 77.2
Source: OPEC
•  2003—US invades Iraq, oil production stops
•  2004-2005—Oil production nears 1.8 million bopd
IMPORTANCE OF IRAQI OIL
In the US, proven oil reserves are put at 29.4 billion bbl,1
and at current production rates, these reserves will only last
for 10 years. In the North Sea, Britain’s revised reserves are 4.5
billion bbls, lasting for just over five years at current produc-
tion rates. Similarly, the other major European oil producer,
Norway, will see its estimated reserves of 9.7 billion bbl, used
up in 8.7 years, if current production is maintained.
The major OPEC producers—Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran
and Kuwait—are all producing at full capacity and would re-
quire major discoveries to substantially add to their output.
The Caspian Sea countries’ oil reserves have not met earlier
expectations of being the next, collective “Middle East.” Best
estimates are now at about 47.5 billion bbl.1 Additional oil
production and reserves have to be found within the next five
years, if increasing world demand (about 82 million bpd) is to
be met while maintaining global oil reserves of 1.189 trillion
bbl. In addition, it takes roughly 3-5 years to put a major oil
field into full production. There is only one country in the
World Oil JULY 2007 1
RESERVES
world that can immediately fill in gaps, namely Iraq.
WARS, WARS AND NATIONALIZATION
Iraq has suffered more than most any other nation on earth,
having being governed and run for a very long time by dicta-
tors utilizing incompetent family members, friends and party
activists to run the domestic oil industry. Their lack of expertise
and foresight has largely contributed to the industry’s deteriora-
tion. Oil revenues were never used for re-investment necessary
to improve the industry infrastructure or, indeed, used for re-
building the country’s infrastructure, Fig. 1. This neglect was
most noticeable in the vital, oil producing southern states.
In addition to the above, and since 1973, Iraqi governments
have entered into three major wars and have been involved
in several internal conflicts. The author emphasizes the word,
governments, and not the Iraqi nation, as these regimes were
not elected and came to power through military coups.
Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes in Iraq’s history was na-
tionalizing its oil industry in 1972. The then-ruling Baath party
believed that this move would modernize the industry and put it
firmly in the hands of the Iraqi people. This thinking was largely
misguided, as foreign investment and expertise necessary for de-
veloping the industry vanished completely, leaving Iraq entirely
dependent on its own resources.
The absence of foreign involvement in Iraq was not felt
immediately, as the price of oil went up sharply in 1973 (after
the Arab-Israeli war), allowing the country’s oil revenues to
increase substantially, as compared to before nationalization.
The ruling regime used this as a proof that nationalization re-
ally worked. Eventually, as the oil price stabilized and revenues
remained virtually the same (allowing for inflation), it became
apparent that the country could not sustain the costs of new
exploration and development projects. Vast areas of Iraq were
left unexplored, and even when discoveries were found, there
was no money or appropriate technology to go forward with
field developments. Parallel with this, Iraq went through two
major wars (1981-1991) and 13 years of international sanc-
tions that prevented the industry from being able to buy even
the most basic equipment for maintenance.
The effects of wars and bad management profoundly im-
pacted development of Iraq’s industry. The total number of
wells in Iraq is around 1,500. Compare this figure with a small
country like Oman, where 2,600 wells were drilled during the
last 20 years. In industry terminology, large numbers of wells
translate (usually) to more production. This is particularly val-
id for giant and super-giant fields, where reservoirs are too ex-
tensive (in length and width) to be exploited by a few wells, as
would be the case for a small-to-medium North Sea reservoir.
The author believes that Iraq will one day regard nation-
alization of its industry as the biggest mistake in its history
and as one of the major reasons for economic deterioration.
Indeed, had major oil companies remained working in Iraq,
the regimes would not have dared to enter into any war with
Iraq’s neighbors. Accordingly, the country would have seen
progressed and prospered in excess of the current UAE.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND: GIANTS
AND SUPER-GIANTS
Iraq encompasses about 4 million cubic km of sedimentary
rocks that are part of the Middle Eastern Petroleum basin that
contains roughly two-thirds of global oil reserves. In Iraq, the
thick sedimentary succession spans most geological ages, from
Cambrian to Recent, and contains prolific producers requir-
2 JULY 2007 World Oil
Fig. 1. The effects of wars and central government neglect can
be seen on drilling rig components.
ing comparatively easy and inexpensive drilling and develop-
ment programs. The first Iraqi oil field was discovered in Naft
Khana in 1923, after an appraisal period starting in 1919.
Most experts familiar with the situation believe that the
majority of the world’s undiscovered oil reserves lie within the
sedimentary rocks of Iraq. This is because, since the early 1970s,
the majority of adjacent Middle Eastern countries had exten-
sive seismic and exploration drilling to delineate new reservoirs.
Simply stated, the chances of discovering new fields in other
Middle Eastern countries are very small in comparison to Iraq.
This is because Iraq had some modest seismic activity during
the 1970s, but this was conducted without a parallel program of
exploration drilling to delineate and prove new reservoirs.
Still, modest drilling has revealed the existence of multi-
source, multi-reservoir and multi-cap rocks, plus the abun-
dance of petroleum systems within various geological periods.2
Statistically, over 500 seismic anomalies and geological struc-
tures were identified. Of these, only 124 have been drilled.
In these structures, about 64 super-giant and giant oil and
gas fields were discovered. However, only 23 fields were ac-
tually developed and put on production.2 Even in these 23
fields, the vast majority of wells are vertical, with no horizontal
or multilateral technology employed. Furthermore, the tech-
nology employed to drill and complete these wells is from the
1970s. Readers should note that the literature cites 73 discov-
ered fields. However, the author is only concentrating on large
fields for the purpose of estimating oil reserves.
A remarkable feature of Iraqi oil reserves is that the majority
lie within 10,000 ft of the surface, with 30-40% lying within
2,000-5,000 ft. The majority of oil production comes from Cre-
taceous reservoirs (76%), with the remainder coming from Ter-
tiary reservoirs (24%). A very small amount of output (0.1%)
comes from Jurassic, Triassic and Ordovician reservoirs.3
Iraq’s exploration success rate is 2 in 3 (about 67%), com-
pared to the world average of 1 in 10. Moreover, oil develop-
ment costs are less than 50 cents/bbl, while other major costs
are transportation and passage. Iraq has only one outlet to the
sea at Basrah, and some of its oil passes through countries like
Turkey, where transit costs are paid.
Forty-one discovered oil fields require full-scale develop-
ment, including the super-giants of Majnoon, Nahr Umr, Hal-
faya4 and West Qurna. Together, these discovered fields could
help Iraqi production reach 6 million bopd in the near-future
and possibly to 10 million bopd by 2015. It is estimated that a
$4-billion investment is required for each 1 million bpd added
to capacity through development. The present Iraqi economy
would certainly require external investment.
WESTERN DESERT
Notwithstanding the above, there is still the promise of the
Western Desert, which saw some limited 3D seismic activ-
ity, to explore the area’s Paleozoic potential. According to Dr.
Sabah Mohammed,2 the majority of interpretation studies
were carried out manually until 1986, when this process was
backed up by introduction of a VAX 11-780 interpretation
system, and later by the Landmark Graphics Workstation IV.
This interpretive work resulted in hundreds of reports, and
the discovery of hundreds of seismic leads and prospects. A
very limited exploration drilling campaign revealed oil and gas
in the majority of drilled structures. Unfortunately, the West-
ern Desert’s full seismic results could not be utilized, as Iraq
was under sanctions from 1991 until 2003. During the sanc-
tions, there was a severe embargo on all imports into Iraq. In
particular, imports that were chemical in nature were banned.
This policy virtually ruled out many mud chemicals necessary
for drilling and well logging. At present, it is almost impossible
to quantify the Western Desert’s reserves. However, the US
DOE estimates as much as 100 billion bbl of oil.
PRODUCING FIELDS
Iraq has around 1,500 wells, 1,000 of which are in its south-
ern states. The majority of production comes from four fields:
Rumaila, Zubair, West Qurna and Nahr Umar. In the North,
major oil production comes from Kirkuk, with Bai Hassan
following in second place. Jambur and Khabbaz are the only
other fields producing oil in northern Iraq.
DISCOVERED BUT UNDEVELOPED FIELDS
For purposes of brevity, discussion will be limited to just
one large field that was discovered but is not yet developed.
This is Halfaya field.4
Halfaya lies in southern Iraq, and was delineated and dis-
covered over 25 years ago. Yet, it is considered as one of five
super-giant fields still awaiting development. Structure size is
about 30 km long by 10 km wide. There is a structural closure
that increases with depth, ranging from 70 m in the Tertiary
reservoirs to 190 m in the Middle Cretaceous Mishrif reser-
voir, and reaching 230 m for the Lower Cretaceous Ratawi/
Yamama reservoirs.
So far, just five wells have been drilled in this super-giant
field, confirming the presence of eight pay zones, ranging in
age from Miocene/Oligocene to Lower Cretaceous, with API
gravity ranging from 21° to 31°. Main reservoir is the Mish-
rif group, with a net pay thickness of over 300 m. On test,
flow from the Mishrif limestones reached 2,500 bopd, and
12,500 bopd from Nahr Umr, with reservoir permeabilities
reaching up to 3,500 mD. The field can produce a minimum
of 250,000 bopd.
Halfaya’s estimated total reserves in place are over 16.1 bil-
lion bbl of oil and 9.3 Tcf of gas. This clearly places Halfaya
as one of the most attractive, super-giant fields still awaiting
development.4 Developing one super-giant or giant field in
Iraq can increase oil reserves by at least 10-15 billion bbl, or
9-14% above estimates.
Several other fields that fall in the same limbo status as Hal-
faya can contribute significantly to production and reserves,
Table 2. Selected Iraqi oil fields-proved
hydrocarbons
Oil
billion Gas, Billion Depth, Oil or
Field bbl Tcf boe m gas
Abu Ghirab* 1.040 0.572 1.135 2990 O
Ahdab 0.500 0.100 0.517 2450 O
Ajil 0.500 1.000 0.667 730 O
Akkas 0.100 2.500 0.517 ?? O
Baghdad East* 11.000 1.500 11.25 3050 O
Baghdad West 1.000 0.100 1.023 730 O
Bai Hassan* 1.882 1.882 530 O
Balad* 0.200 0.100 0.217 O
Buzurgan* 1.980 1.160 2.173 O
Gharraf 0.500 0.5 O
Gillabat 0.100 2.000 0.433 O
Halfayah 0.700 0.700 0.817 3050 O
Hamrin** 0.400 0.750 0.525 730 O
Khabbaz * 0.500 0.5 1280 O
Khashm Al-Ahmar** 0.325 0.325 G
Kirkuk* 17.000 17 850 O
Jabal Fauqui* 1.000 1 430 O
Jambur * 2.629 2.629 3050 O
Jawan 0.100 0.026 0.104 O
Luhais* 1.060 0.500 1.143 O
Majnoon** 12.000 11.000 13.833 2400 O
Mansuriyah 0.050 3.300 0.6 1220 G
Nahr Umr* 3.370 1.685 3.65 2740 O
Najmah 0.200 0.045 0.208 O
Nasiryah** 1.000 1 1990 O
Noor 0.500 0.5 4100 O
Qaiyarah* 0.400 0.065 0.411 O
Qara Chauq 0.150 0.050 0.158 O
Qasab 0.200 0.052 0.209 O
Rachi 0.870 0.87 2890 O
Ratawi 1.400 0.700 1.517 2140 O
Rumaila North
& South* 22.000 14.700 24.65 3250 O
Safwan 0.500 0.400 0.558 3230 O
Suba 2.200 1.100 2.383 O
Taq Taq** 0.130 0.100 0.146 O
Tubba 0.770 0.770 2310 O
West Qurna* 6.000 6.700 7.117 3700 O
Zubair* 6.731 6.731 3300 O
109.667
Qumar field is not mentioned, as it is a small field with little published data.
*Developed/producing.
**Not fully developed.
Table 2. While not every discovered field will prove as large as
Halfaya, one can assume that other fields that encounter for-
mations similar to Rumialah, Zubair or Halfya will be prolific
producers with substantial reserves. The most obvious devel-
opment targets are the middle Cretaceous Mishrif reservoir
and the lower Cretaceous Yamama reservoir in the southern
fields; the Jurassic Najmah reservoir in Rumaila and West
Qurna fields; and the Cretaceous reservoirs in the north.
DRILLING SINCE 1981
As mentioned earlier, Iraq has roughly 1,500 wells, of which
1,000 are in the south. Not all wells are producers—some are
injectors, observation wells and abandoned wells. Iraq has 20
drilling rigs, of which only 10 are fit to work. Iraq also has
16 workover rigs, but only eight are operable. The number of
wells drilled from 1991 until the beginning of 2005 is 248.
For the same period, the number of wells worked over is 655.
As will be discussed later, an integral part of assessing re-
serves is to drill a large number of wells to determine the total
number and extent of reservoirs within the same field; to assess
World Oil JULY 2007 3
RESERVES
the full flow capacity of the reservoir(s); and, more impor-
tantly, use actual production data (materials balance equation)
to confirm the amount of oil in place. Iraq has never had the
opportunity to carry out a large drilling program to assess its
huge reserves. Hence, one can extrapolate the oil reserves from
new horizons by referencing to existing reservoirs and near-by
countries containing similar formations.
Without extensive exploration that may take up to 15 years,
oil reserves cannot be assessed accurately. Critics may use this ar-
gument to doubt any figure quoted for Iraqi oil reserves. How-
ever, our current technical knowledge should provide us with a
good enough estimate for the purpose of future planning.
JURASSIC RESERVOIRS
In Iraq, giant reservoirs of Jurassic age exist in fractured car-
bonate and dolomitized carbonate platforms. These reservoirs
are created by hot dolomitizing fluids arising from salt beds
above, and by oil creating a complex fractured reservoir system
with almost perfect sealing on all sides.5 Studies have shown
that dolomitization of reservoirs occurred simultaneously with
oil migration. Reservoir quality depends on fractures and sec-
ondary porosity. Reservoir thickness can be up to 300 m.
The Jurassic basinal source rocks outcrop in northeastern
Iraq and southwestern Iran, and are used by local people for
fuel, mistakenly labeling these source rocks as coal. The excel-
lent paper by J. Goff of BP,5 on which this section was based,
provides a detailed description of these reservoirs.
These Jurassic reservoirs are deeply buried and contain very
high pressures and large quantities of H2S. They are gener-
ally regarded as HPHT reservoirs, with bottomhole pressures
approaching 20,000 psi. The technology for developing such
reservoirs is readily available from the global industry.
Still, development of these reservoirs will be very challeng-
ing and expensive, and will require a minimum of five years
for oil to be brought onstream. In Iraq’s current politics, ob-
servers may argue that this delay works to the advantage of the
Iraqi people, as it provides sufficient time to develop other eas-
ily accessible reservoirs with lesser pressures and temperatures,
and fewer requirements for advanced technology.
The generated oil in the Jurassic reservoirs is estimated at
5-10 trillion bbl of oil, with possible, trapped oil in place of
1-2 trillion bbl. If only 25% of the 1-2 trillion bbl is in defin-
able accumulations, and the recovery factor for these reservoirs
is only 20%, the yield of recoverable light oil will be 50-100
billion bbl. The 100-billion-bbl figure almost equals the en-
tire, current estimate of Iraqi oil reserves.
The author has chosen a very low estimate, to avoid accusa-
tions of exaggerating Iraqi oil reserves. Industry professionals
would agree that the above recoverable figure could easily be
doubled using modern recovery techniques.
Evidence. A number of deep exploration wells drilled in Ku-
wait’s lower Jurassic rocks, and at least one well drilled into
the Najmah formation beneath Rumialah oil field in southern
Iraq, have struck light oil. A sustained, future exploration pro-
gram will better delineate most productive Jurassic reservoirs.
ESTIMATING RESERVES
Oil and gas reserves are established by physical methods,
including seismic, geological, drilling, logging, well testing
and production methods. By far, the most accurate method
of estimating oil reserves is based on actual production data,
followed by geological estimation. Full details of methods of
4 JULY 2007 World Oil
estimating reserves are available.6 Reserves are classified in
three ways:
•  Proved reserves: High degree of certainty
•  Probable: Lesser degree of certainty than proved reserves
•  Possible: Low degree of certainty compared to probable.
A fourth category may be added: Prospective reserves. This
category has a very high degree of uncertainty, as no wells have
been drilled in the prospect. It is a requirement that proved,
probable and possible estimates are based on actual wells
drilled in the prospect.
For each of the above classifications, a degree of uncer-
tainty is associated with the value to reflect the probability of
recovery. The best recoverable figures in the industry are in the
Norwegian fields, and they average at about 60%. In Iraq, the
recovery factor is estimated at around 40-45%.
In many cases, proved reserve estimates were often found
to be on the low side, and the actual reserves were found to
exceed estimates. As a rule, it is unlikely that the actual re-
maining reserves in the ground exceed the sum of the proved,
probable and possible reserves.
Each of the above classifications is also divided into two types:
developed and undeveloped.6 Developed reserves are those re-
serves that are expected to be recovered from existing wells and
installed facilities. Undeveloped reserves are those reserves ex-
pected to be recovered from known accumulations, where a sig-
nificant expenditure (e.g. when compared to the cost of drilling
a well) is required to render them capable of production.
Readers should note that proved, probable or possible re-
serves are assigned only to known accumulations that have
been penetrated by a wellbore with a well testing program. Po-
tential accumulations that have not been penetrated by wells
are termed Prospective Reserves.6
The methods used to estimate the quantity of oil reserves
are: volumetric, material balance and production decline anal-
ysis. The most accurate method is the material balance, as it
is based on actual production data, and the analysis takes into
consideration the reservoir pressure behavior as hydrocarbon
fluids are withdrawn. The volumetric method is the least accu-
rate, as it only considers rock volume but not the mechanism
of fluid flow within the reservoir, which is essential for esti-
mating the actual recoverable oil. Production decline methods
involve the analysis of production behavior as reservoir fluids
are withdrawn. For accurate and consistent results, a sufficient
period of stable operating conditions is required.
MINIMUM POSSIBLE RESERVES
Table 2 details Iraqi producing fields and shows proved re-
serve volumes, together with depth and type of hydrocarbon.
The total estimate is around 110 billion bbl of oil.
Table 3 summarizes the statistics given in the bulk of the
article, and those given in Table 2. It shows current estimates
in column 1 and estimates from discovered but undeveloped
reservoirs in column 2. Here, only one field is used, to provide
minimum values for estimates.
Column 3 gives estimates for extra reserves, if EOR is used.
EOR’s influence, through the use of horizontal and multilateral
technology, can easily increase the recovery factor from 45%
to 55%. This is still well below Norway’s figure. This 10% up-
lift in recovery will have a corresponding minimum increase in
recoverable reserves of 11 billion bbl (10% of 110 billion). In
column 4, data were taken for possible extra reserves, obtained
from within existing fields of undeveloped shallow and deep ho-
rizons. The estimate from this is 10.91 billion bbl, although per-
sonal communication by the author with a
number of Iraqi oil experts indicates that
this figure may be substantially higher. Table 3. Summary of oil reserve estimates, billions of bbl
In column 6, the estimate comes straight Column 1 2 3 4 5 6
from the US DOE. The only prospective Possible Possible
value in this table is in column 7, referring extra shallow Probable
to potential in the Jurassic formations. If Discovered, reserves and deep reserves,
underdeveloped with EOR, reservoirs, Western Prospective
estimates from the Jurassic formations are Type of Current reservoirs, 10% of current existing Desert reserves,
not included, then Iraq’s total minimum reserve proved e.g. Halfaya proved fields (DOE est.) Jurassic
reserves are on the order of 249 billion bbl
of oil, more than twice the estimate. If one Amounts 110.0 17.64 11.0 10.91 100.0 75.0
includes prospective reserves in column 6, Grand
then Iraq’s total minimum reserves rise to Totals 110.0 127.64 138.64 149.55 249.55 324.55
about 324 billion bbl of oil, roughly three (Col 1+2) (Col 1+2+3) (Col 1+2+ (Col 1+2+ (Col 1+2+
times the current estimate. 3+4) 3+4+5) 3+4+5+6)
Min. reserves
CONCLUSIONS
Table 3 shows that Iraqi oil reserves are Public Comment, Petroleum Society of CIM, Standing Committee on Reserves Definitions, Alberta En-
ergy & Utilities Board, Calgary.
substantially higher than the quoted value of 110-115 billion
bbl. At a minimum, Iraqi oil reserves may be as much as 249
billion bbl, and perhaps as high as 324 billion bbl. The mini- The author
mum figure of 249 billion bbl is more than twice the estimat-
ed value. Oil reserve estimates given in Table 3 make Iraq, by Dr. Hussain Rabia is managing director of Entrac
Petroleum Ltd., a company specializing in provid-
far, the world’s largest country for potential oil reserves. WO ing consulting and training services for the Iraqi and
LITERATURE CITED international oil industry. The company provides
1 BP, Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2005. specific advice on opportunities in Iraq, including
2 Sabah Mohammed, expert exploration geophysicist, Ministry of Oil, Iraq (2005), “Seismic activities in technical studies, field development and in-country
Iraq,” Iraqi Petroleum Conference 2006, London, organized by Entrac Petroleum Ltd. assistance. The author has over 27 years of experi-
3 Geodesign website information, 2005.
4 M. Al Gailani, “Halfaya field: A twenty-first super-giant field,” Iraqi Petroleum Conference 2006, Lon-
ence, mainly with large international oil companies,
don, organized by Entrac Petroleum Ltd. including BG and ADCO. Dr. Rabia has worked on
5 J. Goff, “Origin and potential of unconventional Jurassic oil reservoirs on the Northern Arabian Plate,” many large reservoirs and on HPHT reservoirs. He
SPE paper 93505. has written three books and several technical papers.
6 “Definitions and guidelines for estimating and classifying oil and gas reserves,” Jan. 25, 2002, Draft For

World Oil JULY 2007 5