August 2014, Vol. 241, No. 8
Features
Instability In Iraq: Effect On Production, Infrastructure
Iraq has a long and varied history of oil exploration and development, and its proven reserve base is largely unmatched outside of the Middle East. However, regional conflicts throughout history have disrupted exploration drilling and resulted in extensive damage and neglect to infrastructure, ensuring current oil production is considerably lower than its potential. The first hydrocarbon discovery in Iraq was made at Chia Surkh in 1905. Oil production commenced in the 1930s from the Naft Khaneh field and gradually increased as successive fields were brought on-stream until reaching a peak in the 1970s. However, these high production levels were significantly curtailed by the Ir
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