The US-headquartered Parsons has been awarded the front-end engineering design (FEED) contract for the $10bn Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) in Iraq.

The South Oil Company’s project is linked to the development of southern Iraq’s giant oilfields, which account for about 60% of the country’s total proved reserves.

The CSSP will provide 12.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of treated seawater to increase crude oil recovery rates, maintain reservoir pressure, and boost overall output.

Parsons’ scope of work includes conducting 14 optimisation studies and preparing the FEED for water intake and outfall structures, an approximate 500m shipping channel and offloading facility, a 12.5 million bpd seawater treatment facility, and a gas turbine power plant.

The other support structures included in the FEED are living accommodation; administration buildings; potable water and sewage treatment systems; security, clinic, maintenance, and warehouse facilities; an emergency station; a mosque; and a helipad.

As per the contract, Parsons will also design, construct and operate a 9,200 bpd pilot plant at the site.

“Providing treated seawater to southern Iraqi oilfields will ensure proper oil reservoir maintenance and maximise oil recovery,” said Virginia Grebbien, group president, Parsons.

Iraq has set an overall production capacity target of nine million bpd by 2020, and the CSSP is expected to play a critical role in achieving that target. The project will be implemented in two phases, with the phase one bringing in half (5.2 million bpd) of the total water supply.