Head Named for New Oil Firm in Southern Iraq

11 September 2008 Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani has named Ali Muarij, a petroleum engineer from southern Iraq, director-general of Missan Oil Co. (MOC), the first regional operating company to be set up since Iraq National Oil Co. was dismantled in 1987, Iraqi sources told International Oil Daily from Baghdad Wednesday. The cabinet in June approved the creation of MOC to operate all oil fields in Missan province in southern…

Iraqi Oil Veteran to Oversee South

10 September 2008 Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani has confirmed the former director-general of South Oil Co. (SOC), Jabbar al-Luaibi, as an advisor with the authority to oversee oil projects in southern Iraq, according to a ministerial order issued last week, a copy of which was obtained by International Oil Daily. Al-Luaibi was removed from his post in May and appointed special adviser in what analysts suspected was a power…

Iraq Starts Countdown for Contract Awards

14 October 2008 Iraq’s oil ministry on Monday launched a competition among 35 international oil companies for six of Iraq’s most prized oil fields and two undeveloped gas fields under 20-year service contracts, which Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani said he expects to be “finalized and presented to the Iraqi cabinet for ratification before the end of June.” Prequalified companies for Iraq’s first bid round, including all the majors as…