At 4:30pm on January 13th, Iraq local time, along with the roar of the drilling rig, ZB-487 Well was successfully drilled by the Team 27 of the ZPEC ENI Project in the Zubair Oil Field.  This became the first well to be drilled and produced by the Iraqi Branch in the new year, two days ahead of schedule, and marked the successful start of the resumption of production in this market after the suspension of operations due to the epidemic.

At the opening ceremony, Kun Zhong, Drilling Team 27 Platform Manager, said, "The team has overcome many difficulties such as the impact of the epidemic, shortage of personnel, the rainy season, and aging equipment. The successful press of the project start button indicates a good start. We will live up to expectations, build morale, and earnestly dig every well."

Since 2020, the epidemic has spread rapidly around the world and international oil companies have reduced production and suspended operations. The ZPEC ENI Project in Iraq’s Zubair Oil Field suspended its contract on June 15th last year. So far, it has been suspended for 7 months. During the shutdown period, the project and well team personnel actively carried out epidemic prevention and control work. At the same time, they carried out equipment maintenance, project start-up preparations and material inventory, sticking to their posts to maintain communication with Party A at any time to create conditions for early resumption of work. After receiving the official letter from Party A in November 2020, the project started. From December 30th, Drilling Team 27 completed the moving task safely and quickly in just 3 days according to Party A's requirements, setting a new speed record. On the afternoon of January 2nd, 2021, due to sufficient and rapid preparation, the team passed the audit and acceptance of Party A, Halliburton, and ENI in just 11.5 days.

The project was started in a special period of raging epidemic. The on-site personnel have been in a state of high intensity and high pressure. In response to the increase in external personnel during moving and installation operations, the well team formulated epidemic prevention measures during the move and set up a buffer zone outside the well site. Personnel were allowed to complete the work of publicity, binding and unbinding of goods, disinfection, and door seals in this area, so as to minimize the risk of the epidemic at the well site.  Everyone carried forward the spirit of the “Iron and Blood Journey” of ZPEC, fighting day and night. Repairing the rig's accessories and restoring functions at once, while working together to complete the installation and commissioning of the equipment.

At present, the resumption and start-up of the ZPEC Petroleum Project and the BP Project are also in full swing. Drilling is expected to begin in the first quarter.