Thread: Archive Latest News - Think Tank - 15/04/08 - 26/08/08

Thanks for all the articles Seaview.....

Originally Posted by Seaview

Shahrastani's at it yet again........

The Ministry of Oil: oil contracts signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government void

Said Iraqi Oil Minister, Hussein Shahrastani, that the contracts signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government with the oil companies without the consent of the central government in Baghdad and the Ministry of Oil, contracts are "false", and revealed at the same time Japanese companies, competing among 35 international companies for the rehabilitation and development of oil fields Iraq.

This came on the sidelines of a conference he held oil minister, today, Monday, on the first licences for the rehabilitation and development of oil fields in Iraq.

Shahrastani, said in an interview with "Uzmatik", that "any contract entered into by the Kurdistan Regional Government with any oil company, without the consent of the Federal Government and the Oil Ministry, was" null and abolitionist, "as he put it.

The Minister stressed that "not entitled to any company working on Iraqi territory, without the consent of the Iraqi state."

With regard to rehabilitate Iraqi oil fields, Shahrastani said that "six fields of oil and gas would have two fields of rehabilitation and development by international companies, among the first licences and contracts."

And the oil minister, "these fields are Rumaila, Zubair field, and West Qurna field, and fields of Maysan, a field in Kirkuk, and Bai Hassan field, in addition to the two fields of gas, two fields crutches, Mansourieh, which benefited in meeting the needs of the Ministry of Electricity, and export the remainder Neighboring countries and Europe. "

On the nature of the contracts signed by Iraq, Shahrastani said, "The decade that Iraq announced it would offer the service, rather than holding the participation of production, because Iraq's wealth, it does not allow for the participation of Iraqis in one of their oil", he said.

The minister stressed Shahrastani, "The goal is to increase oil production, increased by one million and 500 thousand barrels a day, in addition to daily production, currently two million and $ 500 thousand barrels a day."

The minister disclosed oil on the "four Japanese companies among the 35 companies, compete for contracts and licenses to develop and rehabilitate oil fields in Iraq," noting that "there will be identifying those companies later."

With legal criticized in the Ministry of Oil, Aekili taste, "Oil Ministry put on the six oil fields to international companies," and explained in an interview with "Uzmatik", "The six fields are among the discovered fields by the Iraqi state, and $ 78-A, and then Must be developed by oil companies exclusively Iraqi, as the first of these fields ", as he put it.

He said there is "400 field yet unexplored, could be offered for investment, development and production of world oil companies."

It is noteworthy that the Iraqi proven oil reserves of more than 112 billion barrels, the second largest reserve of oil in the world, but the infrastructure of the Iraqi oil sector, suffering from backwardness and degradation, and require significant investment to realize their full potential as the main engine of the economy of the country.

http://66.102.9.104/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&langpair=ar%7Cen&u=http://iraqalaan.com/bm/Economy/3340.shtml&prev=/language_tools

i still find it hard to believe that G.W. and his oil buddys have not told Maliki to get rid of this yoyo[shahrastani] by now...all he's doing is riding the oil ministers position out....stealing as much as he can...and antagonizing the Kurds at every opportunity...IMHO...Pat

Jordan appoints Ambassador to Iraq

Jordan said on Monday it had appointed an ambassador to neighbouring Iraq where its embassy has been run by a charge d'affaires since it came under a deadly attack in 2003.

"Nayef Zeidan, who has served as a consul in the United Arab Emirates for two years, was sworn in today by King Abdullah II and will leave for Iraq as soon as possible," a foreign ministry spokesman told AFP.

Washington has been pushing its Arab allies, notably regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia, to send ambassadors and high-level officials to Baghdad to help shore up support for the country's Shiite leadership.

Jordan said in May that it would soon designate a new ambassador for Iraq after Baghdad said it would review a discounted oil deal for Amman, which depends on its neighbour for most of its fuel needs.

It has kept its embassy open in Baghdad even after the mission came under attack in August 2003, a mere five months after the US-led invasion.

Jordan appoints ambassador to Iraq - Middle East News

Iraqi Oil Minister announced his country's failure to reach agreement with oil companies because of its insistence on participating production

An Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein Shahrastani Monday that his ministry had failed to reach an agreement with international oil companies to provide technical support to increase oil production in the country. The contracts relating to fields of Kirkuk (Shell Group) and Rumaila (British Petroleum) and Zubair (Exxon Mobil) and the West Qurnah / Phase 1 (Chevron and Total) and Missan governorate (Shell lobby Watch me Cielito) and Saba fields - to attempt (Anandarko companies and the assumption of the Dome of the United Arab Emirates) .

Shahrastani said in a press conference "we have since the beginning of the year plan to increase production and decimal (...) and we went to the owners of the Chairperson of experience in the world and we have to provide expertise in return for payment." He added that "the companies refused to supply and demand presentation participating production but we are still negotiating with them."

At the same time, the Ministry of Oil revealed the names of oil fields to be put forward to compete by international companies according to the first session of licences.

Shahrastani said, "There are six fields would be put up for competition by the world oil companies, including a field of 35 North and South Rumaila field, and West Qurna fields Albozorkan and Abu West and Fakkah in Maysan as well as fields of Kirkuk and Bai Hassan fields along with two gas field and reverse field Mansourieh."

He explained that "this is one of the fields are currently producing and it had been put up for re-developed and rehabilitated so as to ensure increased production scheme according to the Ministry of Oil for the coming years."

He added that "these fields represent the basic rule in the country," noting that "it is hoped that these contracts contributed to increased production by one million and a half million barrels per day in addition to its current production of 2.5 million barrels a day."

He pointed out that the gas fields "will contribute greatly to provide gas to generate electric energy, including closing the country's need to export part of the surplus to neighboring countries." The minister underlined that there were 35 oil companies "out of 120 have been rehabilitated to obtain a contract to develop oil fields."

On the nature of the contracts signed by Iraq, said that "the model contract, which Iraq announced it would offer the service and not holding the participation of production because of Iraq's wealth and therefore does not allow anybody to impose the participation of Iraqis in their oil."

He added: "The gas fields will be contested by firms specializing in the extraction and production of gas only," explaining that "oil companies can participate in the competition for these fields."

He continued that "the Oil Ministry the right to restructure corporate coalition of companies to rehabilitate fields contested." He called on companies competing to "establish offices will be based in Baghdad and in the event of winning a contract must then open a branch in (other areas in) Iraq."

On the ratification of these contracts, Shahrastani said that "the final decision to decide these contracts will be the prerogative of the Iraqi cabinet."

He explained that "the Energy Commission in the House of Representatives will be briefed on all the mechanisms of the conclusion of these contracts does not mean that approval of the passing of these contracts is linked with the consent of the parliament."

The new Iraqi Oil Minister rejected the contracts concluded by the Kurdistan Regional Government with foreign companies without the approval of the central government. He said that "any contracts signed without the consent of the Government not Take Baghdad, and the government does not handle."

He said that "every contract" signed by the Adoption Act oil "illegal".

The Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq Mosques Barzani on Saturday to form a political committee membership and the membership of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and senior officials will discuss next week in the "common solution" to the law of oil in the country.

The number of deals concluded by the Government of the Territory since the issuance of its own petroleum law last August 17 deal.

In January last commented Iraq contracts annually with the largest oil refinery in South Korea for the export of ninety thousand barrels of oil per day after it agreed with the authorities of Iraqi Kurdistan on exploration in the field Kazini, who estimated the quantity of oil available when b 500 million barrels.

The opening of Iraq's oil reserves Monday, the third largest reserves in the world to foreign companies five years after the invasion forces led by the United States for Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

Painting such a step on the return of major oil companies, which requires Iraq to investments and know-how to renew the infrastructure of the oil sector, which was strongly affected by the sanctions and war.

However, the award of contracts for American and British companies are likely to be angry opponents of the invasion who said that the war which began in in 2003 was aimed to control Iraqi oil reserves and serve the international oil companies. He denied American and British officials to these accusation

.
By allowing international companies to invest in prospecting and oil fields are the Iraqi government had violated the policy of major countries produced from Iraq's neighbours such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, where governing national companies control over foreign investment in the sectors of oil infrastructure. He said Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein Shahrastani that the six oil fields announced Monday is the backbone of Iraqi oil production and some prescription and declining production.

The fields available for development is the Kirkuk and Rumaila and Zubayr and the first phase of West Qurna and Bai Hassan and Maysan.

Maysan includes three fields are Abu Ghurab, zircon and jaw.

The Ministry announced that Iraqi oil fields open to the six foreign companies to enter into contracts to develop long-term.

The ministry had said last week it completed negotiations with oil companies on six major oil services contracts separately short-term and she hopes to sign those agreements next month.

The open short-term contracts and other long-term entry door to the world's major oil companies, oil sector in Iraq member Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for the first time in nearly four decades.

http://66.102.9.104/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&langpair=ar%7Cen&u=http://www.hewarat.dk/hewarat_data.php%3Fsid%3D7685&prev=/language_tools

Consensual Solution to the Oil Law in Iraq

A Prime Minister of Mosques Barzani's Kurdistan province on the formation of a political committee with the Government of central Baghdad, during his recent visit to Baghdad, to resolve the issue of oil contracts and the law of oil and gas, pointing out that he also discussed all outstanding issues between the parties.

He said Barzani, during a conference held yesterday in Arbil, said that the Committee which was formed during his visit to Baghdad and its membership consists of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Vice President Tariq Hashimi and Adil Abdul-Mahdi, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh and Rose Noori Shaways member of the Political Bureau of the Democratic Party Kurdistan, where the Committee will start work next week.

The Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq Mosques Barzani to form a political committee membership and the membership of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and senior officials will discuss next week in the «common solution» for the Law of the oil in the country.

Barzani said after visiting Baghdad «We decided to form a political committee comprising Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Vice President Adel Abdamahdi and Tariq Hashemi and Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh and Mosques Barzani and Rosh Nouri Shaways».

He added that the «Committee formed to reach a common solution to the issue of oil and gas law, we will hold meetings in Baghdad next week, when we see that we need to constitute technical committees also establish a technical».

The number of deals concluded by the Government of the Territory - since the issuance of its own petroleum law in August 2007 - 17 deal.

For his part, said Oil Minister Hussein Shahrastani that «all contracts» signed prior to the approval of the oil law is «illegal». The Government-Maliki urged the Territory Government to refrain from signing contracts until the approval of the draft law of oil and gas. Referring to reach Barzani, during a visit to Baghdad in days

Few years, the «convinced of the existence of political and constitutional ramifications» associated with the law.

He continued, «there may be consensus in Baghdad is that the powers that we enjoy is not unconstitutional, this must be (a) to resolve this issue».

Barzani stressed the right of the territorial disposition of petroleum resources when he said «I want to emphasize that what we are doing in Kurdistan is a constitutional right and we want to exercise their powers and constitutional, we have no other goal». Did not discuss the Representatives of Iraq, so far, the bill because of deep differences between the political blocs.

But Barzani stressed that «no one in Baghdad, the power to cancel oil contracts entered into by the Government of the Territory with foreign companies, that are not considered during the recent visit to Baghdad». In January last commented Iraq contracts annually with the largest oil refinery in South Korea to export 90 thousand barrels of oil per day after it agreed with the authorities of Iraqi Kurdistan on exploration in the field Kazini, who estimated the quantity of oil available when b 500 million barrels.

.:: Iraq Media Center ãÄÓÓÉ ÇáÚÑÇÞ ááÃÚáÇã æÇáÚáÇÞÇÊ ÇáÏæáíÉ::. - Íá ÊæÇÝÞí áÞÇäæä ÇáäÝØ Ýí ÇáÚÑÇÞ

Barzani defies..No force in Baghdad cancel oil contract

the challenge Prime Minister Nnigervan region of northern Iraq, Barzani, the central government in Baghdad that the abolition of oil contracts signed by the Government of the region with the South Korean government and the Canadian and Norwegian companies and said that those who are demanding cancellation of contracts dreamers.

Barzani described the oil contracts signed by his government with oil companies, as a "constitutional, legal and conform to global standards for decades."

He renewed his rejection of calls for Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein Shahrastani, to "the heroes of those contracts", saying: "There is no power and authority in Baghdad able to cancel", describing the claimants to cancel contracts for oil Kurdistan as "dreamers."

Barzani denied at a press conference in Arbil, 350 km north of Baghdad, Saturday, a Kurdish extraction of oil for commercial purposes from the fields of Kurdistan province, pointing out that what is extracted in small quantities and used to feed the oil refineries in the region. He stressed, the region ready to inject quantities of oil in the Iraqi export pipeline going to Turkey in the event that Baghdad has agreed to do so.

He returned to Barzani's Kurdistan autonomous after several days of talks with Baghdad were aimed in part to resolve the dispute over the oil bill. It seems that those talks did not yield anything but reciprocal promises to continue talks on the draft law Struggler.

The Iraqi Cabinet approved a draft oil law last February, but parliament has not approved because of disagreements between the Iraqi and Kristin Baghdad on who controls the reserves and contracts.

Iraq's oil

U.S. sources had expected earlier this month, the arrival of Iraq's exports of crude oil during the current year to record levels to reach seventy billion dollars.

The sources of his apartment on the report by Stuart Bowen, Special Inspector for Iraq reconstruction, which he said: "This increase in oil resources will lead to download Nuri al-Maliki government greater responsibility in rebuilding Iraq."

On the other hand, informed sources revealed the determination of the U.S. administration issued new legislation from Congress to transfer part of Iraqi funds deposited in U.S. banks to the Treasury Department to be spent on the Iraq war.

The sources pointed out Bush's determination exploit Iraqi oil exports and revenues, for the maintenance of the U.S. military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, competition of influence "Russian - Iranian" growing in the former Soviet republics, in the Indian subcontinent. As well as to support the U.S. dollar versus other currencies in light of the setback is going through.

The experts described the U.S. economy this serious step, considering that Iraqi funds deposited in the bank reserve fully American, New York, expressing their fear of Congress to stop funding for U.S. troops and Iraqi dependence on financing Iraq's oil exports, thus entering into the implementation of the Convention entered into by the political administration of America, With Maliki in the long run, which was described by impartial sources, codified the U.S. occupation of Mesopotamia, and give dimension strategies in the region.

Translated version of http://www.aljeeran.net/economic.html

Shahrastani: Oil will sign oil contracts with giant companies

Baghdad - approved oil minister Hussein Shahrastani intention of the ministry's short-term contracts with a number of major oil companies giant, pointing out that this step aims to take advantage of the rapid rise of oil prices in the global market.

Shahrastani added at a press conference in Baghdad Monday that the purpose of concluding such contracts, which faced criticism Democrats in the U.S. Congress is to achieve a rapid increase in oil production.

Shahrastani said that the Oil Ministry felt that talking with international companies could benefit from advice and support transmission from abroad for wages paid by the ministry.

Shahrastani and pointed out that the reasons for his ministry to adopt this resolution is to take advantage of the current rise in oil prices to increase financial resources of Iraq especially since the licensing round will take about a year and a half until the middle of next year.

Shahrastani legislators attacked Democrats in the U.S. Congress who warned of the danger of concluding such contracts prior to the approval of the oil law, stressing the need for mechanisms to ensure transparency in identifying the names of these companies.

The oil minister said that these observations to keep on American oil contracts for themselves because Iraq did not need the USA nor any other, because Iraq know the higher interest than others.

Shahrastani and pointed out that they did not speak when he signed contracts participate in the production and said that he does not respect the views of opposition to these contracts.

Shahrastani and disclosure of the names of oil and gas fields which will be subject to the rehabilitation operations which North Rumaila and Zubayr, southern West Qurna field, the first phase and three fields in Maysan Albozorkan and Abu West and inside the field of Kirkuk and Bai Hassan field, crutches and Mansourieh.

Shahrastani said that the ministry would open the way for 35 oil companies to submit bids for licences education through service contracts which were selected from among 120 companies failed to qualify.

Translated version of http://www.aljeeran.net/economic.html

Joint economic agreements between Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman

Iraq reached and the Sultanate of Oman to develop a mechanism to activate the Joint Economic all conventions that will contribute to the progress of investments, especially following the improvement of security situation in Iraq.

The Minister called on reconstruction and housing statement Dizah E. neighboring countries and other Arab states to the initiative in investing in Iraq as the Sultanate of Oman initiated after a long break to open the files of investment in the areas of reconstruction and commerce.

This came in a joint press conference held by E. Dizah with the Secretary General of the Omani Ministry of National Economy Mohammed bin Nasser Alhosaibi at the headquarters of the Ministry of Construction and Housing on Monday, pointing out that by saying: Ministry of Construction and Housing is prepared to give all opportunities for Omani companies and the Omani side to invest and enter into The reconstruction of Iraq through investment, and to join us in implementing the investment plan of the ministry and the rest of the ministries even through the auction, as well as participation in building factories also wish the rest of the Arab countries to start such initiatives. "

The Secretary General of the Omani Ministry of Economy Mohammed bin Nasser Alhosaibi that this visit came from the Government of his country's keenness on activating the joint economic relations through the private sector and businessmen in all areas.

The Alhosaibi saying: in this visit we were able to gather a lot of information, ideas and hope that it will be activated in the near future, especially as it was agreed to establish a mechanism to specialists in the business sector between the two countries through establishing businessmen council. "

It should be noted that the Iraqi government had agreed with Oman to set up a joint businessmen council which would examine ways to invest Omani businessmen in Iraqi territory, as well as examine ways to protect the capital invested will be held under which several economic agreements.

Translated version of http://www.aljeeran.net/economic.html

Oh dear, here we go again.......

The Ministry of Oil: oil contracts signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government void

Said Iraqi Oil Minister, Hussein Shahrastani, that the contracts signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government with the oil companies without the consent of the central government in Baghdad and the Ministry of Oil, contracts are "false", and revealed at the same time Japanese companies, competing among 35 international companies for the rehabilitation and development of oil fields Iraq.

This came on the sidelines of a conference he held oil minister, today, Monday, on the first licences for the rehabilitation and development of oil fields in Iraq.

Shahrastani, said in an interview with "Uzmatik", that "any contract entered into by the Kurdistan Regional Government with any oil company, without the consent of the Federal Government and the Oil Ministry, was" null and abolitionist, "as he put it.

The Minister stressed that "not entitled to any company working on Iraqi territory, without the consent of the Iraqi state."

With regard to rehabilitate Iraqi oil fields, Shahrastani said that "six fields of oil and gas would have two fields of rehabilitation and development by international companies, among the first licences and contracts."

And the oil minister, "these fields are Rumaila, Zubair field, and West Qurna field, and fields of Maysan, a field in Kirkuk, and Bai Hassan field, in addition to the two fields of gas, two fields crutches, Mansourieh, which benefited in meeting the needs of the Ministry of Electricity, and export the remainder Neighboring countries and Europe. "

On the nature of the contracts signed by Iraq, Shahrastani said, "The decade that Iraq announced it would offer the service, rather than holding the participation of production, because Iraq's wealth, it does not allow for the participation of Iraqis in one of their oil", he said.

The minister stressed Shahrastani, "The goal is to increase oil production, increased by one million and 500 thousand barrels a day, in addition to daily production, currently two million and $ 500 thousand barrels a day."

The minister disclosed oil on the "four Japanese companies among the 35 companies, compete for contracts and licenses to develop and rehabilitate oil fields in Iraq," noting that "there will be identifying those companies later."

With legal criticized in the Ministry of Oil, Aekili taste, "Oil Ministry put on the six oil fields to international companies," and explained in an interview with "Uzmatik", "The six fields are among the discovered fields by the Iraqi state, and $ 78-A, and then Must be developed by oil companies exclusively Iraqi, as the first of these fields ", as he put it.

He said there is "400 field yet unexplored, could be offered for investment, development and production of world oil companies."

Translated version of http://iraqalaan.com/

I don't know where to put this question or maybe statement ,but no harm ment. If they are signing these contract and they are pumping so much oil and making billions of dollars doing it why haven't they revaled their money so that average Iraqi can live above the poverty line and we can reap the rewards of our multi year investment in Dinar?I just don't understand the logic here. Please help me thanks
benzboy