Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas boost Khor Mor gas capacity by 50%

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

Crescent Petroleum, the region’s oldest private upstream oil and gas company, and Dana Gas, the Middle East’s leading private sector and publicly-listed natural gas company, on Wednesday announced the start of commercial gas sales from the KM250 gas expansion project (KM250) at the Khor Mor facility in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).

Delivered eight months ahead of the revised schedule, the KM250 will add 250 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) of new processing capacity, a 50 per cent increase, boosting Khor Mor’s total output to 750 MMscf/d. The additional capacity will help meet Iraq’s rapidly growing power demand by delivering significant new volumes of clean-burning natural gas.

The expansion will bolster power generation and support industrial growth across the KRI, underpinning the KRG’s Runaki initiative to deliver 24-hour electricity, while improving supply to other regions of Iraq.

The $1.1 billion project was backed by financing from the Bank of Sharjah, the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and proceeds from Pearl Petroleum’s $350 million senior secured bond issued in 2024 and listed on Nordic Alternative Bond Market. At its peak, the project employed over 10,000 people and involved the delivery of more than 6,000 tonnes of steel and 6.2 million man-hours, making it one of the largest private-sector infrastructure builds in Iraq in recent years.

Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum and Board Managing Director of Dana Gas, said: “Delivering KM250 ahead of schedule marks a significant achievement for Crescent Petroleum, Dana Gas, and our Pearl Consortium partners. This accomplishment highlights our ongoing dedication to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, demonstrates our capacity to unlock its vast energy resources, and reinforces our commitment to generating jobs, enhancing local services, and providing cleaner, more reliable energy for the Region and the Country.”

“I am especially grateful for the strong support of the KRG and local authorities, whose cooperation helped us overcome challenges and sustain momentum throughout the project. I would also like to recognise the outstanding leadership of Richard Hall, CEO of Dana Gas, who navigated the complex dynamics and guided the project to successful completion eight months ahead of schedule.”

Richard Hall, CEO, Dana Gas, said: “Completing KM250 early is a huge milestone for Dana Gas and reflects the hands-on approach we brought to the project in the absence of the main contractor. By assuming operational oversight, Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum were able to focus delivery, resolve issues quickly, and restore momentum – yielding real results on the ground.

“The additional capacity strengthens our production profile and is expected to deliver substantial annual revenue for Dana Gas. It also supports our mission to deliver stable, cleaner energy to KRI communities, reduce diesel dependence and advance the region’s ambition for 24-hour electrification.”

The gas from KM250 will serve growing power demand in the KRI and the rest of Iraq. The plant will also produce 7,000 barrels per day of condensate and 460 tonnes per day of LPG, supplementing existing output of 15,200 bbl/d and 1,070 t/d respectively.

The facility incorporates state-of-the-art technology, including AI monitoring tools, high-efficiency compressors, and modern processes for sulphur and contaminant removal. These upgrades will boost efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

In 2024, Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum assumed operational control of KM250, working in collaborating with Havatec—the project’s sub-contractor—and other partners. By implementing accelerated project delivery strategies and resetting project timelines, they successfully achieved early commissioning and gas sales. KM250 has proven both companies’ capabilities in delivering complex natural gas infrastructure. The learnings and systems developed from this project will inform future developments across the region.

With KM250 operational, focus now shifts to the next phase: further appraisal and expansion of the Khor Mor field, and continued progress at Chemchemal to unlock additional gas resources for the region and the country.

Pearl Petroleum was established in 2009 as a consortium, with Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum serving as joint operators and each holding a 35% equity stake. OMV, MOL, and RWE later joined the partnership, each acquiring a 10% share. Today, Pearl Petroleum supplies natural gas to four power plants across the KRI, meeting over 80% of the region’s power needs and serving more than six million people.

With 85% national employment and over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs created, Pearl has made a significant contribution to the KRI economy. Clean-burning natural gas from Khor Mor has helped avoid more than 59 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by replacing oil and diesel with natural gas. Pearl Petroleum has also enabled billions of dollars in fuel cost savings for the host government, while driving regional economic growth.