Petronor launches second phase of Southern Iraq's first fully serviced community at Iraq Energy City

Located 20 minutes from Basra International Airport, Iraq Energy City offers complete accommodation services and leases commercial real estate to international companies looking to enter the Iraq market.

Leading the way with a greater appreciation of the need for a community based environment within Iraq's Oil & Gas workforce, Iraq Energy City is a forerunner which offers not only accommodation, but a place to live. With one of the largest established communities, Iraq Energy City has set itself apart from other options with a core focus on cost effective operations, comfort, security and health and safety.

Parent company, Petronor Group, hold a long-term vision for Iraq Energy City and its place within Iraq's economy. Through a strategy focused on sustainable local involvement and training initiatives for building skills and qualifications for the local community, Petronor has demonstrated its long-term commitment to the development of Southern Iraq.

Primarily catering to the Oil & Gas corporations and associated engineering and services industries, Iraq Energy City opened the first of its room and commercial leases in August 2011. It is now a fully functioning, completely secure international community with over 300 live-in residents and a daily workforce of more than 400 professionals.

Supported by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, Petronor was granted a lease for more than 170,000 square metres through a contract with South Oil Company to develop Iraq Energy City. Featuring a variety of buildings, Iraq Energy City currently has the capacity to house more than 400 people with a target of 1500 rooms in total by the end of 2013. Support for commercial tenants range from offices, warehouses and workshops to business support, making entry into the Iraq market affordable for both large and small companies.

Its key focus on lifestyle has set Iraq Energy City apart from other more traditional camp providers. Iraq Energy City has on-site medical facilities with both out-patient and in-patient capabilities including several intensive care units. Petronor Group CEO, Peter Day explains the reasoning:

With an extensive background in the oil industry, our vision for Iraq Energy City was a community that would fully service the needs of residents from daily essentials including comfortable living, dining, cleaning and laundry to sports, recreation and medical care.

The city features a full range of amenities and recreational facilities including a cinema, restaurant and café, swimming pools and a commercial sports centre, in addition to a community running track and outdoor sports courts. The city runs community events such as social sports clubs and Friday BBQs, and even boasts a training centre with English and HSE courses.

On-site banking and communication services are also currently underway.