The South Oil Company (SOC) of Iraq is expected to invite international companies to execute its sea water desalination project.

Iraqi Oil Minister Jabar Ali Al-Luaibi has directed the company to invite foreign firms to undertake the project, said an Iraq Business News report.

The Common Seawater Supply Facility (CSSF) is considered vital to maintain the production volumes at Iraq’s oil fields, added the report.

The project is to be implemented in two stages, with 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) capacity at each stage, it added.