Legal conflict looms as oil politics deteriorate

Friday February 1, 2013 Analysis: Legal conflict looms as oil politics deteriorate As Baghdad threatens to sue Genel Energy for its independent KRG exports, the course of Iraqi oil policy - and Kurdish autonomy - may be decided in court. Exxon Must Choose: Southern Iraq or Kurdistan Posted on 30 January 2013 Iraq has again told Exxon Mobil that it must choose between working in its southern oilfields or in Kurdistan. Reuters reports that Oil Minister Abdul Kareem Luaibi [Elaibi] expects the company to make a final decision within a few days, adding: "We made it clear to Exxon in the last meeting that the answer we expected from them is either to work in the Kurdistan region or to work in southern Iraq ... Exxon Mobil cannot work in both fields at the same time." "Other oil companies that signed deals in Kurdistan region should face the same scenario", said Luaibi, "and we have informed them". Exxon's chief executive Rex Tillerson met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and with Kurdistan's President Barzani last week to discuss operations in both areas, while industry sources said the US oil major was considering an offer from Baghdad. Friday January 25, 2013 Analysis: Exxon enters the political fray With a landmark visit to Baghdad, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson has likely inaugurated a new era of engagement in the turbulent politics of Iraq. ==== UK Open New Visa Centre in Baghdad Posted on 30 January 2013 The British Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, officially opened the new Visa Application Centre in Baghdad along with the Foreign Minister of Iraq, His Excellency Hoshyar Zebari. For the first time, members of the Iraqi public are now able to apply for UK visas from Baghdad. ========== The ISX operates Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (Iraq time). Prices delayed by 15 minutes. HomeAboutNewsletterArchives» SitemapAdvertisingContact» ContributorsJobsEventsReportsTenders‘Your Country’» United Kingdomبلدك العراقعربيPageviews Last Month: 235,423Oil & Gas» Ahmed Mousa JiyadConstructionIndustry & TradeBanking & Finance» Sherif SalemCommunications» Lisa KnightPublic WorksTransportationAgriculture» John SchnttkerBob NottelmannEducation & Training» Arabic TutorialMadeleine WhiteVocabularySecurity» Gary SandifordWeekly Security UpdateHealthcareBlogEmploymentInvestment» Mark DeWeaver on Investments and FinanceJared LevyLeisure and TourismPolitics» Tariq AbdellCommodities & MiningSterling Energy to Pull Out of Kurdistan Iraq to Harness Solar, Wind Power Missan to Get New Power Station Atlasjet Plans Iraq Subsidiary Iraqi Kurdistan Considers Lebanese Trade Ties LatestSterling Energy to Pull Out of Kurdistan Categorized | Oil & Gas Shell Awards WorleyParsons 3-Yr Gas Contract Posted on 24 January 2013. Tags: Basra Gas Company, BGC, Mitsubishi, Shell, WorleyParsons WorleyParsons has been awarded a three year contract by Shell Gas Iraq BV to provide project management support and services for the rehabilitation of gas facilities and infrastructure that are part of the scope of Basrah Gas Company (BGC). In November 2011, as part of a push to make better use of its gas resources, Iraq’s government signed a deal with Shell and Mitsubishi to develop the world’s largest flares reduction company, BGC. BGC is expected to commence operations early next year. It is a 25-year joint venture with state run South Gas Company holding a 51% stake, Shell 44% and Mitsubishi 5%. This joint venture is designed to capture, treat and monetise associated gas currently being flared from three southern oilfields, wasting more than 10 million dollars per day of the country’s natural resources. WorleyParsons will provide project management, technical and construction supervision personnel to support BGC in the rehabilitation inspection, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities. WorleyParsons will also provide an established Project (Quality) Management System which will help manage and control the project effectively during its execution from the plant inspections through to engineering and design concluding with commissioning. The contract will be executed from WorleyParsons’ offices in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, and will involve working in different locations around the world with front end engineering design and EPC contractors. The man-hours to be performed by WorleyParsons over the life of the contract are estimated to exceed 500,000 man-hours. Commenting, WorleyParsons’ CEO Andrew Wood (pictured) stated: “We are pleased to continue our involvement in the development of Iraq’s gas infrastructure as well as being part of this project that will significantly contribute to the sustainability of the Iraqi economy and environment. We will work closely with the development partners to ensure we create the maximum value over the lifetime of the asset.” (Source: WorleyParsons)