Shell EP Middle East Holdings B.V. has agreed to sell the entire share capital of Shell Iraq B.V (SIBV), which holds its 19.6% stake in the West Qurna 1 oil field, for $406 million, to a subsidiary of ITOCHU Corporation

The purchaser will also assume debt of $144 million as part of the transaction. The sale has received the necessary regulatory consent, is expected to complete in the next few days, and has an effective date of 31 December 2015.

Since joining the project in 2009, Shell has enjoyed successful cooperation with its partners in the West Qurna 1 venture, which will continue to be operated by ExxonMobil.

Shell’s Upstream Director, Andy Brown, said: “Iraq is an important country for the Shell Group, and exiting West Qurna 1 allows us to focus our resources on other assets in our Iraq portfolio. We are grateful for the support of the Iraqi government during the divestment process.

“Shell remains committed to working with its partners to redevelop Iraq’s energy infrastructure by capturing associated gas, through the Basrah Gas Company (BGC) Joint Venture, for domestic and regional consumption. This deal maintains the momentum behind Shell’s $30bn divestment programme and is in line with the drive to simplify our upstream portfolio and reshape the company into a world class investment.”

Shell’s other businesses in the country will not be affected by this divestment.

About Shell Iraq BV

The divestment scope covers Shell Iraq BV, which is 100% owned by Shell EP Middle East Holdings B.V. (“SEPMEH”) and holds a 19.6% working interest in West Qurna 1 (“WQ1”) Technical Service Contract (“TSC”) in Iraq. Other partners in the TSC are ExxonMobil (32.7%), PetroChina (32.7%), Pertamina (10%) and Oil Exploration Company (5% state partner).

On completion of the sale of SIBV, Shell will have no participating interest in the TSC and will have completely divested its interest in West Qurna 1.

On 14 September 2017, Shell Iraq Petroleum Development B.V. (SIPD) announced that the Ministry of Oil of Iraq has endorsed its recent proposal to pursue an amicable and mutually acceptable handover of the Shell interest in Majnoon, with timings to be agreed in due course.

About Royal Dutch Shell plc

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects.