Oil Exploration Company Celebrates the Completion of “2D Al-Qarnain Project” in Najaf in Record Time
Under the auspices of the Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, Engineer Hayan Abdul Ghani Al-Sawad, and the Deputy of the Ministry of Oil for Upstream Affairs, the Expert Bassim M. Khudhair, and in the presence and under the supervision of OEC Director General, Dr. Osama R. Hussein, the Oil Exploration Company held on Wed. 29/4/2026 a special ceremony on the occasion of the completion of the seismic survey operations for “2D Al-Qarnain Project” in Najaf Governorate. The ceremony was attended by the Governor of Al-Najaf, the Head of the Provincial Council, the Director of the Chinese company QPC, the Head of the Joint Management Committee for the block, and a number of security leaders and tribal elders.
The celebration filled with an atmosphere that embodied the will to achieve and the spirit of challenge that characterizes the national work staff. Deep in Al-Najaf desert, where the harshness of nature and the challenges of the field, the exploration staff achieved a remarkable feat by completing a 2,850 km seismic survey and fully recording 47,500 power points, achieving a 108% completion rate. This clearly demonstrates the exceptional performance and high efficiency that characterized the work on this project.
Work on the project started on 10/10/2025, and concluded on 15/3/2026, in just 192 days, ahead of the scheduled timeline by 31 days out of 223. This achievement reflects high discipline and efficient field management that elevated performance to a level of excellence.
The project was executed by the 2nd Seismic Crew for MDOC, in accordance with the contract signed with the Chinese company QPC, the operator of Al-Qarnain Block, as part of the 5th and 6th licensing rounds in fruitful partnership contributed significantly to this outstanding success.
In his address during the ceremony, the Director General, Dr. Osama R. Hussein, emphasized that: “This achievement would not have been possible without the concerted and dedicated efforts of our national staff, who have proven their ability to work under diverse conditions and achieve their goals with efficiency and competence. What has been accomplished today is the fruit of sincere work and unwavering commitment, which enabled us to complete the project in record time and with a completion rate exceeding the plan, despite the security and environmental challenges. The 2nd seismic crew worked with utmost strength and determination, until late into the night, amidst a barren desert, plateaus, and valleys.”
He added: “We must also express our deep appreciation for the essential role to support the leadership of the oil sector, represented by the Minister and the Deputy for upstream affairs, and the pivotal role of the local administration in Al-Najaf Governorate, represented by the Governor and the Head of the Provincial Council, for their significant logistical support, which helped overcome obstacles. We also salute our heroic security forces in all their classes, who provided the necessary protection throughout the implementation period, and we commend the efforts of the Civil Defense teams who worked sincerely to secure the work lines and ensure the safety of our personnel.”
He concluded his speech by saying: “I extend my deepest appreciation and pride to the heroes of the field in the 2nd Seismic Crew, including permanent staff, contract workers, and daily wage earners. You are truly the driving force of this company. Through your great efforts in those harsh conditions, you have contributed to strengthening our hydrocarbon wealth. We dedicate this achievement to the souls of Iraq’s righteous martyrs and to our dear people, and we renew our commitment to steadfastly continue the path of achievement.”
He affirmed that the Oil Exploration Company is committed to fulfilling its national mission and enhancing its exploration activities, thereby contributing to supporting the national economy and solidifying Iraq's position in the power sector.
This project represents a significant addition to the efforts of developing the oil exploration sector, for providing accurate seismic data that supports future plans and opens promising prospects for discovering new oil and gas reserves in Al-Najaf Governorate.
