Since beginning operations in January 2010, the Rumaila oil field in Iraq has produced 3 billion barrels (Bbbl) of oil, according to a Dec. 20 press release from BP Plc (NYSE: BP).

The Rumaila Operating Organization (ROO), composed of BP, PetroChina and the South Oil Company of Iraq, made the announcement.

Iraq has received an estimated $200 billion in revenue from Rumaila during the past six years of operations.

Currently, the field’s oil production is at its highest rate in 27 years, at more than 1.45 MMbbl/d, up from 1 MMbbl in 2009. The production increase was achieved despite challenging geological conditions and aging infrastructure and equipment.

Under ROO’s management, the number of producing wells at Rumaila has risen by about 50%, with more than 240 new wells drilled and an ongoing well workover program implemented to counter the mature field’s natural rate of decline. Real-time well logs, advanced core sample analysis, 3-D subsurface maps and other cutting-edge technologies have improved well performance, drilling accuracy and efficiency.

Also, one of the world’s largest water injection projects was completed to boost output in areas where reservoir pressure had fallen. Rumaila’s degassing stations now treat about 1.8 MMbbl/d of oil and produced water--volumes of fluids not seen since 1979, the press release said.

Safety at Rumaila has been significantly improved, the press release also said.