Seoul: Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. (Hyundai E and C) announced its acquisition of a 4.39 trillion-won (US$3.16 billion) contract to construct a seawater treatment plant in Iraq. The project is a significant part of the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP), a government-led initiative designed to enhance crude oil output by injecting seawater into oil reservoirs in Iraq’s southern oilfields.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hyundai E and C will build a seawater treatment facility capable of processing 5 million barrels daily at Khor Al Zubair Port in the Basra region, located approximately 500 kilometers southeast of Baghdad. The plant will provide freshwater to nearby oil fields, including West Qurna and Rumaila.

The construction is a joint investment venture involving France’s TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy LNG, and Iraq’s Basra Oil Company, and is projected to be completed within 49 months. This deal represents Hyundai E and C’s largest undertaking in Iraq since finalizing a $6 billion oil refinery in Karbala in 2023.

A company official highlighted that this contract underscores the strong trust in Hyundai E and C, which has successfully executed major national projects in Iraq, contributing to economic growth amidst various challenges such as wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.