The Majnoon field is one of the largest oil fields in the world, with an estimated 38 billion STOIIP (stock tank oil initially in place), according to the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. The northern part of Majnoon is located within the Hawizeeh marshes, a denominated RAMSAR area (wetlands of international importance). This RAMSAR area is part of a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), attempting to protect and rehabilitate this unique marshland environment in the region. Shell is partnering with international environmental scientists and Marshes experts, Wetlands International, to seek advice in developing the Northern area of Majnoon in an environmentally responsible way.

The Majnoon project consists of a two phase development. Phase I consist on reaching First Commercial Production (FCP) and Phase II focus in the development of the full field (FFD).