In Detail: Oil and Gas Blocks in the Garmian region, south Sulaimani
Out of a total of 57 mineral (oil and gas) blocks in the Kurdistan Region, 10 oil blocks and 2 gas blocks are located in the Garmian region which is a PUK-controlled area in south Sulaimani province. Ten foreign companies are involved in exploration, drilling, and production of oil and gas. These companies originate from 6 different countries: Russia, Canada, Turkey, UAE, Korea, and Australia.
North Sangaw Block: Located in the Garmian area, north of Sangaw sub-district in Chamchamal district. It covers an area of 492 square kilometers and is estimated to contain 6.163 billion barrels of oil. The block is shared by Sterling Energy (USA) 40%, Addax (Canadian-Swiss joint venture) 40%, KNOC (Korea) and KEPCO (KRG) 20%.
Topkhana Block: Located in the Garmian area, east of Qadir Karam sub-district and Jabari area. It covers 945 square kilometers and is estimated to contain 4 billion barrels of oil and a significant amount of gas. In the Garmian area, 60% is owned by Talisman Energy (Canada), 20% by KEPCO (Kurdistan Regional Government), and 20% remains for another party.
Taza Block: Located in the Garmian area, covering part of Nawjul sub-district and west of Qadir Karam sub-district. It spans 700 square kilometers with an estimated 3 billion barrels of oil reserves and a significant amount of gas. 60% is owned by Oil Search (Australia), 20% by Total (France), and 20% by KEPCO (KRG).
Palkana Block: Located in the Garmian area, covering Duz Khurmatu district, Jabara sub-district, and the eastern part of the district. It spans 529 square kilometers and contains 1.58 billion barrels of oil. 60% is owned by ShaMaran Petroleum, 20% by Pet Oil (Turkey), and 20% by KEPCO (KRG).
South Sangaw Block: Located in the Garmian area, covering the center of Sangaw sub-district and its surroundings. It spans 846 square kilometers with an estimated 2 billion barrels of oil and 1 trillion cubic meters of natural gas. 60% is owned by KNOC, 20% by KEPCO (KRG), and 20% remains for another party.
Kurdamir Block: Located in the Garmian area, covering the southern part of Sangaw sub-district and northern Kalar district up to the Sirwan River. It spans 620 square kilometers and contains 5.129 billion barrels of oil reserves. 40% is owned by Western Zagros (Canada), 40% by Talisman Energy, and 20% by KEPCO (KRG).
Garmian Block: Covers northern Kalar district and the sub-districts of Bawanur, Sarqala, and Sheikh Tawil. It spans 2,120 square kilometers and contains more than 4 billion barrels of oil. 40% is owned by Gazprom (which bought Talisman's share), 40% by Western Zagros, and 20% by KEPCO (KRG).
Shakal Block: Located in the Garmian area, covering southern Kalar district, Rizgari sub-district, and Kifri district. It spans 832 square kilometers and contains about 2 billion barrels of oil reserves. 80% is owned by Gazprom and 20% by KEPCO (KRG).
Chia Surkh Block: Located in the Garmian area, east of the Sirwan River, covering Qaratuu Maidan sub-districts in Khanaqin district up to the Iranian border. It spans 938 square kilometers and, according to Scotia Capital reports, contains 5.656 billion barrels of oil. In the Garmian area, Genel Energy (Turkey) bought 60% of shares from Longford Energy, Pet Oil owns 20%, and KEPCO (KRG) owns 20%.
Kor Mor Block: Located in Qadir Karam sub-district of Chamchamal district. It spans 510 square kilometers and contains more than 2 trillion cubic meters of gas. Currently, gas is transported through a 181-kilometer, 24-inch diameter pipeline to power plants in Chamchamal, Erbil, and Duhok.
Chamchamal Block: Extends from the Lesser Zab River to the Basara River, with Chamchamal city located on this block. It spans 1,169 square kilometers and contains a large gas field in addition to oil. The gas field is about 80 kilometers long and more than 10 kilometers wide, containing 3 trillion cubic meters of gas. Dana Gas and Crescent Oil each have a 40% share.
Qarahanjir Block: Located in the Garmian area, between Chamchamal and Kirkuk, covering the Shwan area, Qarahanjir sub-district, and Takia Jabari sub-district. It spans approximately 1,200 square kilometers with an estimated 5 to 10 billion barrels of oil. 80% of the shares were given to ExxonMobil (USA) and 20% to KEPCO (KRG).