Iraq signs MoU with Siemens, Shlumberger for investment in gas

Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani said the MoU aligns with the ministry’s plan to utilize associated gas for electricity production.
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Updated 31 March 2024
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Iraq signs MoU with Siemens, Shlumberger for investment in gas

BAGHDAD: Iraq on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding with Siemens Energy and Schlumberger to tackle curb gas flaring and channel the captured resource to boost the country’s power generation capacity.

Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani said the MoU aligns with the ministry’s plan to utilize associated gas for electricity production. “This will provide productive and valuable energy to support power plants and the national grid,” he said at a press conference following the signing ceremony.

“The MoU paves the way for joint ventures with the technology giants,” Abdul Ghani said.

Praising the collaboration, German Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Maximilian Rach expressed his country’s support for Iraq’s efforts to increase its energy production and reduce carbon emissions. He expressed hope that the partnership would expand to other sectors.

Muhannad Al-Saffar, director of Siemens Energy Iraq, emphasized the MoU’s significance as a launchpad for long-term cooperation that will ultimately halt gas flaring and process the captured gas for power generation. “This will contribute to achieving energy security, minimizing imports, and protecting the environment,” he said.

The undersecretary for gas affairs at the Ministry of Oil, Izzat Saber, said: “Cooperation with major international companies will bolster the electricity sector, optimize expenditures, and ensure environmental protection.”

Wissam Al-Azm, Schlumberger Iraq general manager, highlighted the joint commitment to developing solutions and leveraging cutting-edge technologies for a sustainable energy future.


GACA, US Archer to operate air taxi services in the Kingdom 

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GACA, US Archer to operate air taxi services in the Kingdom 

RIYADH: The General Authority of Civil Aviation, or GACA, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Archer Aviation, a leading US company specializing in vertical take-off and landing, or VTOL, aircraft, to operate air taxi services across the Kingdom. 

The announcement was made during the CoMotion Global Summit, themed “Urban Mobility: Innovation Without Limits,” held at the Riyadh Financial Center.  

The MoU forms part of GACA’s ongoing efforts to develop an Advanced Air Mobility system in line with the AAM Roadmap and the aviation program under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. It marks a major step in the Kingdom’s broader push to advance next-generation air mobility solutions and position Saudi cities as global hubs for future mobility. 

Under the agreement, GACA and Archer will work together to enhance and further develop the regulatory framework governing VTOL aircraft operations in the Kingdom. This includes maintaining alignment with Federal Aviation Administration certification standards to ensure operational safety and support the gradual rollout of air taxi services. 

The two sides will also conduct a series of pilot flights and proof-of-concept demonstrations to validate the regulatory approach, support infrastructure development, and strengthen public readiness for the service. 

Commenting on the partnership, Captain Sulaiman bin Saleh Al-Muhaimidi, executive vice president of aviation safety and environmental sustainability at GACA, said that by working with global partners like Archer, the authority continues to reinforce the regulatory and operational foundations necessary for the safe integration of VTOL aircraft into the national aviation system. 

He added: “This initiative supports the advanced air mobility roadmap and reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a leader in advanced-generation air mobility.” 

Archer Founder and Chairman Adam Goldstein said, “The Kingdom is moving quickly and decisively to build a next-generation transportation system, and we are honored that the General Authority of Civil Aviation has chosen to work with us on this transformative endeavor. We look forward to working alongside GACA to achieve one of the Kingdom’s strategic goals: to be among the first markets in the world to widely adopt vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.” 

He added, “Aligning our certification work with the US Federal Aviation Administration and launching early pilot operations in the Kingdom will help pave the way for providing safe, sustainable, and efficient air travel for millions of people.”