Shafaq News/
Kirkuk, a historic oil hub in Iraq, is now facing an environmental crisis
fueled by decades of unregulated oil extraction and processing. The persistent
gas odor haunting the outskirts of Kirkuk has left residents not only concerned
but also questioning the long-term implications for their health and the
environment.
Citizens
Voice Concerns
Residents
frequently protest against the recurring foul odors, particularly the gases and
unpleasant smells emanating from the northern parts of the province, where the
oil wells operated by the North Oil Company are located.
Hussein
Adel, a resident of Kirkuk, told Shafaq News Agency that the city had recently
experienced a surge in the smell of gas, which he attributed to activities at
the oil refineries and facilities of the North Oil Company.
“These
odors are polluting Kirkuk’s environment,” Adel said, emphasizing the
proximity of the affected areas to oil wells. He added that “oil companies
should take responsibility by supporting environmental initiatives and
increasing green spaces.”
While
residents express their frustrations, officials have zeroed in on the North Oil
Company as the primary source of the problem.
North Oil
Company: The Major Polluter
The
Directorate of Environment in Kirkuk has identified the North Oil Company (NOC)
as the region’s largest polluter, responsible for 80% of the environmental
contamination in the area.
Ali Ezzedin,
the Directorate’s head, told Shafaq News Agency, “The North Oil Company
burns associated gas, releasing harmful emissions into the atmosphere.”
Ezzedin
elaborated that “the company operates around 28 oil fields equipped with gas
flaring towers. These towers, lacking proper filtration systems, fail to meet
environmental standards.”
“The
associated gas, instead of being burned, could be used for power generation and
other productive purposes,” he explained, adding, “If properly
managed, this could significantly reduce environmental risks in Kirkuk.
Unfortunately, the company has yet to adopt these measures.”
In
comparison, he noted that the North Gas Company (NGC) adheres to environmental
regulations and is less polluting than the North Oil Company.
Oil Valley:
Formation and Consequences
The Oil
Valley, a 10-kilometer-long land depression originating from the NOC, has
become a dumping ground for the company’s daily production waste. It channels
around 150,000 barrels of waste each day, stretching from Kirkuk towards
Saladin province.
Environmental
expert Salam Jameel highlighted the damaging impact of oil operations on local
waterways.
Speaking to
Shafaq News Agency, Jameel explained, “The water used for injecting oil
wells, mixed with black crude oil, is discharged into a river that flows
through the Oil Valley.
This waste
accumulates in areas southwest of Kirkuk, creating large oil-laden water
surfaces.”
The Oil
Valley runs parallel to Kirkuk-Dibis Road, extending to the subdistrict of
Yaychi and beyond, ultimately reaching areas near al-Multaqa. The waste, often
oil-laden, gathers in stagnant pools, posing long-term environmental
challenges.
The black
crude oil discharged into the Oil Valley is one of the significant pollutants.
This waste, a mixture of crude oil and water used during extraction, cannot be
refined or added to production.
Jameel noted
that NOC employs a method called “water injection into wells,”
commonly known as water flooding, to enhance the recovery of oil from a
reservoir by maintaining or increasing pressure and displacing oil towards
production wells.
Previously,
the company used around 60,000 barrels of water daily, but this figure has now
surpassed one million barrels due to ongoing field development.
The
environmental costs of these operations also have far-reaching economic
implications.
Economic
Implications and Future Solutions
Economic
expert Ali Khalil criticized oil companies in Kirkuk for failing to install
filtration systems on extraction towers, which exacerbate environmental
degradation. He highlighted Iraq’s ambitious plans to halt gas flaring entirely
by 2028.
“By
ending gas flaring, Iraq can significantly reduce emissions and harness this
energy for power generation and industrial development,” Khalil explained.
Khalil noted
that “Iraq’s utilization rate of associated gas rose from 51% in 2022 to over
65% in 2023, driven by collaborative projects with global companies. With
reserves exceeding 145 billion barrels of oil and over 130 trillion cubic feet
of confirmed gas reserves, Iraq aims to enhance its global standing in energy
production while addressing environmental challenges.”
“The North
Oil Company, under a new contract with British Petroleum (BP), is expected to
install filtration systems on its towers and establish a central processing
plant. This initiative could transform gas currently burned into electricity,
creating a sustainable energy solution for the region.”
Kirkuk’s oil
reserves, estimated at 10-13 billion barrels, represent 12% of Iraq’s total
reserves. However, this wealth comes with environmental costs. As key fields
like Baba Gurgur, Khabbaz, and Bai Hassan operate at reduced capacities, the
environmental toll of decades-long unregulated practices continues to rise.
Experts and
officials agree that without immediate intervention, Kirkuk’s environmental
crisis will worsen, impacting not only local ecosystems but also public health
and economic stability.