Plizio Visual Lab

Rumaila Oil Field

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

energy

Weather…

The Rumaila Oil Field, located in southern Iraq near the border with Kuwait, is one of the largest and most productive petroleum reservoirs in the world, discovered in 1953 by the British Petroleum Company. It is considered a super-giant field, stretching over an area of approximately 1,600 square kilometers and containing estimated recoverable reserves of about 17 billion barrels of oil. The field is divided into the North Rumaila and South Rumaila sectors, with the southern portion being significantly larger and more productive. Since 2009, the field has been operated by a consortium including BP, PetroChina, and the Iraqi South Oil Company, focusing on modernizing infrastructure to maintain a production rate of over 1.4 million barrels per day. The revenue generated from Rumaila is vital to the Iraqi national economy, accounting for a substantial percentage of the country's total oil exports and government budget. Beyond crude oil, the field also produces significant quantities of associated natural gas, which is increasingly being captured for domestic electricity generation.

Location: Iraq
Nearby: Mesopotamian Marshes (71 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Nov.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	12	14	20	26	33	37	39	39	35	29	19	13
Rain mm	15	9	5	6	1	1	0	0	0	2	8	10

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Rumaila Oil Field is a colossal energy installation that underpins a significant portion of Iraq's entire national oil production and economy. It serves as one of the world's largest petroleum extraction zones, shaping the modern industrial landscape of the Basra region.

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Visiting

Due to its critical strategic importance and strict security protocols, direct public access to the active drilling and processing areas is prohibited. Visitors can typically only observe the immense scale of the infrastructure from designated public roads crossing the desert.

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Where to view it

The safest and most common way to catch a glimpse of the vast network of pipelines and rigs is from the main regional highways connecting Basra to the Kuwaiti border. From a distance, the towering flare stacks offer a striking visual, particularly during the twilight hours.

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Local products

While the oil field itself does not offer consumer goods, its economic presence heavily influences the local markets in nearby Basra. Travellers might encounter regional trade fairs focusing on industrial equipment, engineering services, and localized support commerce.

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Active season

The extraction and processing operations run continuously, twenty-four hours a day, throughout the entire year. Visual activity is often most striking during the cooler winter months when the heat haze is minimized, allowing for clearer views of the sprawling facility.

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Nearby

A drive past the periphery of the oil fields is best combined with a broader exploration of the historic port city of Basra. Visitors can explore the ancient architecture along the Shatt al-Arab waterway or delve into the rich cultural heritage of southern Iraq.

Geography

Coordinates

30.15000, 47.28000

Facts

The oil field was officially discovered in 1953.
It is ranked as the third-largest oil field in the world by reserves and area.
Rumaila holds estimated recoverable reserves of approximately 17 billion barrels.
Daily production currently averages between 1.4 and 1.5 million barrels of crude.
Disputes over slant drilling at Rumaila were a key factor in the 1990 Gulf War.
The field operations support more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in Iraq.