Iraq Edges Toward Deal on Government

5 May 2006 Talks on forming Iraq’s next government seem to be edging closer toward an agreement on the main portfolios, including the Oil Ministry, and an announcement could be made as early as next week, Iraqi sources said Thursday. Two candidates emerged this week as the strongest candidates for the oil portfolio: former Oil Minister Thamer al-Ghadban, a technocrat who is backed by several parties including some in the…

Iraq Awards Studies for Top Reservoirs

18 January 2005 Iraq’s oil ministry has awarded contracts for reservoir studies at its giant Kirkuk and Rumaila oil fields to UK major BP and UK-based Exploration Consultants Ltd. (ECL), a senior Iraqi official said Friday. Royal Dutch/Shell will also play a supporting role to the oil ministry on the Kirkuk study under a technical service agreement, the official added — which will include the Anglo-Dutch major financing that field’s…

Iraq Sets Up Reservoir Data Center as Studies Get Under Way

18 February 2005 Iraq’s oil ministry has launched its first reservoir study center, as it gears up to work with international companies BP, Exploration Consultants Ltd. (ECL) and Royal Dutch/Shell on landmark reviews of its key Rumaila and Kirkuk oil fields, according to an Iraqi oil official. The center, established by the ministry’s reservoirs and field development department, is the first in Iraq, and has already been equipped with workstations…

Perspective: Iraq plays for high stakes

12 November 2004 Iraq plans to revive its national oil company, dismantled by Saddam Hussein, by the end of the year. But the structure and role of Iraq National Oil Co. are proving highly contentious, with arguments between Iraqi oil veterans, oil ministry officials and politicians in the interim establishment a reflection of the conflicting visions of Iraq’s future. Energy Intelligence Middle East correspondent Ruba Husari reports on the controversy,…