Hamrin well pulsates again… oil production boosts Iraq’s coffers
Hamrin well pulsates again… oil production boosts Iraq’s coffers
2025-09-11
Shafaq News – Kirkuk
Sources from the North Oil Company reported on Thursday that the Hamrin 38 well had begun recovery operations using acidification technology. The aim is to return it to the production system and provide the Hamrin field with additional capacity, which will contribute to raising production rates and supporting Iraq’s general budget .
The sources told Shafaq News Agency, “The engineering and technical crews of the company began the revival operations of the Hamrin/38 well using acidification technology, which was implemented by the Oil Fields Authority, the Petroleum Engineering Department and the Drilling Department, with support from the Salah al-Din Fields Authority .”
She stressed that “these qualitative operations are part of the company’s strategy to increase production capacity and maximize oil revenues .”
She added, “The Hamrin field is one of the most important oil fields in northern Iraq. It was discovered in the 1970s as part of exploration work carried out by the North Oil Company. Commercial production began in the early 1980s at a limited capacity before expanding later with the drilling of more wells .”
According to sources, “several international and regional companies have entered into negotiations to develop the field in recent years, including the American company HKN Energy , as part of efforts to increase production and maximize associated gas investment .”
She continued: “The Hamrin field produces medium to light crude oil with an API grade of 28-36 and medium sulfur content, making it a desirable quality for refining operations within Iraq, as it allows for the production of good quantities of high-value derivatives such as gasoline and diesel, in addition to its suitability for existing Iraqi refineries that were designed to handle this quality range .”
The advantage of Hamrin crude lies in its “balance. It is neither too heavy, requiring complex processing, nor too light, which reduces the yield of heavy derivatives. Rather, it lies in the ideal zone for integrated refining operations,” according to the sources .
In addition to oil, the field also contains large quantities of associated gas, estimated at 45 to 50 million standard cubic feet per day. The Ministry of Oil plans to use this gas as fuel for power plants, reducing waste from gas flaring and enhancing the country’s energy security .
Hamrin Well 38 is one of the development wells that has recently witnessed a decline in its productivity, which necessitated the use of an acidification process that relies on pumping acids such as hydrochloric acid to dissolve limestone deposits and open pores in carbonate formations, leading to increased oil and gas flow .
In the same context, oil expert Ali Abdullah said, “The Hamrin 38 well revitalization process is a pivotal technical step, as it targets carbonate reservoirs rich in hydrocarbons, and acidizing is one of the most effective ways to increase productivity in such formations .”
Abdullah added to Shafaq News Agency that “the quality of the oil produced from the Hamrin field adds value to the national economy, as it can be refined with relative ease in local refineries, which contributes to reducing the external import bill for petroleum derivatives. The success of these operations will lead to a gradual increase in the field’s production and financial revenues, in addition to strengthening associated gas investment projects, which will support the electricity sector and reduce dependence on imported fuel .”
The quality of Hamrin oil is comparable to other Iraqi crudes. “Kirkuk crude is considered one of the best crudes, with a density of 33-36 degrees API, with a sulfur content of less than 2%. It is considered an excellent light-medium crude for refining and export, while Basra heavy crude is of relatively lower quality, ranging between 23-26 degrees API , with higher sulfur contents that may exceed 4%, which requires additional processing in refineries,” according to the oil expert .
He emphasized that “Hamrin crude combines the characteristics of Kirkuk crude in terms of its suitability for local refining and the size of its reserves, which are close to those of the south, making it a strategic choice for the country’s energy balance.”
shafaq.com
