Thread: Archive News - Iraqi Dinar Think Tank - 22/06/2010 - 04/10/2010

Iraq stresses security around the oil fields in the south

A security official said that Iraq has stressed security around the infrastructure of the oil industry and oil fields in the south in the wake of intelligence reports that al-Qaeda and other insurgent groups planning to attack oil facilities ...

Ali al- Maliki, head of the municipal security in the city of Basra, said the information indicates that al-Qaida in Iraq and the Baath Party banned Iholan eye on the economic targets and oil companies.

Maliki said in an interview, "We have received intelligence about a plan to target oil installations, including oil fields by al Qaeda and Baathist insurgent groups."

The risk of emerging threats to the infrastructure of the oil industry a challenge to the Iraqi security forces in the wake of the formal end of hostilities for U.S. forces in August and decline in the number of troops to 50 thousand. And the remaining U.S. forces will pull a full withdrawal by the end of 2011 under a bilateral security agreement.

Iraq hopes its vast oil resources to achieve stability and prosperity in the future with the exit of the worst sectarian violence that erupted after the U.S. invasion in 2003 but still faces security challenges.

And deals made with leading international oil companies if successfully implemented could lead to increased production capacity of Iraq to four times to reach the levels of Saudi Arabia, or 12 million barrels per day during the six years or seven to enable the authorities to rebuild the country after decades of war, sanctions and neglect.

However, attacks on international oil companies and one of the many dangers that threaten the plan.

Tensions have been high since the inconclusive elections that took place before six months, as politicians are still arguing over cabinet positions and power in the next government and it seems that rebel attacks on security forces in the rise.

And Basra in the south of Iraq's strategic importance as a center of oil exports, which brings in more than 95 percent of government revenue.

Maliki said, without elaborating, "We have prepared a preventive plan to protect the vital oil facilities and foreign oil investors."

He said: "We met with representatives of foreign oil companies in coordination with the Southern Oil Company and our commitment to provide full protection in the oil fields and the highways they use."

Major-General Musa Hassan Abdel police chief in Basra said his forces on alert but the lack of cooperation and coordination with private security firms hired by oil companies hinder their efforts.

He added, "We are prepared well to prevent any attacks and confront the worst possibilities. Our main concern is to keep the roads to the fields of oil used by oil companies on a large scale free of bombs."

http://www.oil.iraqiamedia.com/index...atest&Itemid=1

FEATURE - Iraq's oil future may be vulnerable after US exit

After an explosive device torethrough the back of an armoured SUV carrying Chinese oil workersin Iraq in mid-July, security contractors said the U.S.military, not China's Daqing Petroleum, was the likely target.

The Explosively Formed Projectile, designed by Iran'sRevolutionary Guard Corp and often used by Shi'ite militia inIraq, shredded the rear of the car and exited on the other sidejust behind the passenger seat.

Three Chinese workers, who were helping develop Iraq'sbiggest oilfield Rumaila, received scratches and light burns.One security guard sitting in a front seat was hit by fragments.

Oil companies so far have shrugged off security concernsafter sealing a dozen deals in Iraq, which have the potential toquadruple the country's production capacity to rival Saudilevels of 12 million barrels per day.

"We have not had indications of international oil companiesbeing targeted in any sense, and I think at the end of the daythat will depend on what will be the motivation for thoseattacks," said a foreign oil executive working in Iraq.

U.S. military officials also said they did not think Shi'itemilitia were targeting oil workers or facilities in the July 15attack. "I think it is only a possibility," said Major GeneralStephen Lanza, the U.S. military spokesman in Iraq.

Yet after U.S. forces ended combat missions in Iraq on Aug.31 and cut their numbers to 50,000 7-1/2 years after theinvasion, some security firms and Iraqi officials are wonderingwhether Sunni Islamist insurgents and Shi'ite militia might nowfocus on the companies developing the vast oil reserves.

In a statement posted on a radical Islamic website lastmonth, a writer called for attacks on oil pipelines across Iraqon the grounds that oil was a main reason behind the invasion of"Muslim homes by atheist and disbelieving countries".

ALL DEPENDS ON OIL

Oil is viewed by Iraqi and U.S. officials alike as thepanacea for Iraq's ills. Everything depends on whether the OPECmember can secure its vital oilfields, export pipelines andrefineries.

The government has placed security forces and oil police on alert for attacks by al-Qaeda-linked groups as the U.S. endedcombat operations and intelligence reports warned of a threat tooil facilities.

"Of course there will be some attempts to target (oilfirms), but the areas where they work have good protection fromIraqi forces," said Safa al-Sheikh, acting National SecurityAdviser.

"We don't have accurate intelligence showing an increase (in attacks), but one thing we know about terrorists is that theyresort to all possible means and attack anybody they can."

Murder, intimidation and smuggling are also expected to risein places such as the southern oil hub of Basra, as the linebetween insurgency and crime becomes more blurred.

"We certainly haven't seen the end of terrorist attacks inIraq," said Kyle McEneaney, who heads the Middle East practiceat Ergo, an emerging markets consultancy.

"International oil companies may be affected somewhat, butthese companies are used to operating in difficult environments,and they understand the situation in Iraq."

'NO CRYSTAL BALL'

Overall violence in Iraq has fallen sharply in the past twoyears, and the Shi'ite south, where most current oil productiontakes place, is relatively peaceful. But still there areattacks.

Militants fired mortars in late July near the southernHalfaya oilfield, and one round landed 200 meters from an activeoil well, the U.S. Army said.

The Iraq-Turkey pipeline in the north, which carries arounda quarter of Iraq's oil exports, is regularly hit by sabotage,usually blamed on al Qaeda and the banned Baath party.

So far oil majors have shown no signs of a weakeningcommitment to Iraq. Companies are moving ahead with issuingtenders for work in their fields to reach the production targetsthey have set.

"None of us has a crystal ball to tell whether there will bean increase in violence or not with the withdrawal of the U.S.troops. I think it will primarily depend on the capability ofthe Iraqi security forces," the foreign oil executive said.

Although oil companies are used to tough conditions, aserious deterioration in security could still make some reducetheir staffing or even leave.

"So far it has had no impact on our operations," said theexecutive. "We will need to evaluate those incidents to be ableto judge what will be our next move. But then to be honest,everything is open."

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2...lnerable-exit/

CGG Postponing Iraq Plans Due to Security Concerns, Chief Says

CGGVeritas, the world’s largest seismic surveyor for oil and gas, has delayed plans to start work in Iraq this year because of safety concerns as the U.S. winds down its military presence in the country.

“With the U.S. retiring from Iraq, we’d like to see how it will shape up to see if it is creating more uncertainties, more insecurity,” Chief Executive Officer Jean-Georges Malcor said yesterday in Oslo.

CGG earlier this year had said it expected contracts to start coming out of Iraq in the second half of this year. The holder of the world’s third-largest oil reserves aims to raise production capacity fivefold to 12 million barrels a day in the next six years. Exxon Mobil Corp., BP Plc and Royal Dutch Shell Plc and other companies have signed contracts after two licensing rounds last year.

“Iraq is an area that we are clearly interested in, but we will not cut corners when it comes to security,” Malcor said in the interview yesterday. “It’s a matter of time -- we will need to do seismic in Iraq, but I don’t want to go there too early and have a major issue with our personnel.”

There are now fewer than 50,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and they are scheduled to leave by the end of next year as President Barack Obama meets an election promise to withdraw. The U.S. has drawn down 70,000 troops in the past year and closed 500 bases as it shifts efforts from combat to assisting and training the Iraqi forces.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-0...hief-says.html

Germany signals hands-off approach to RWE Iraq deal

Germany signalled on Friday that it would take a hands-off approach to a cooperation deal between utility RWE and Kurdish authorities in Iraq that the central government in Baghdad has rejected as illegal.

The deal signed last week foresees a future role for RWE in developing transport infrastructure for gas from the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, including supplies for the Nabucco pipeline project.

The Iraqi oil ministry has said the agreement between RWE and the Kurdish Regional Government is illegal because the country's oil and gas are federal resources to be administered centrally.

It opposes all unilateral energy deals negotiated by the Kurdish authorities in a long-running row over gas and oil resources and revenue-sharing.

Asked about the dispute, a spokesman for the German economy ministry said: "RWE is a consortium member of the Nabucco project, which is of central importance for the diversification of European gas supply. RWE is responsible for its own business decisions."

The Nabucco project aims to transport up to 31 billion cubic metres of gas a year from the Caspian region to reduce Europe's dependence on Russia, which supplies Western Europe with about a quarter of its natural gas.

Germany and RWE hope the project can go forward but are taking a cautious line.
The German foreign ministry described the project as a cooperative effort but declined to comment on its legal status.

"It is not up to the German government to judge the legality of the aforementioned contract," Stefan Bredohl told a regular government news conference in Berlin.
RWE says it is aware of sensitivities in the region, and is seeking dialogue with all sides in order to implement the deal.

"We are very much aware that we have to speak with all relevant authorities in Iraq, and are taking steps now to prepare for the dialogue with the government in Baghdad," the company said in a statement.

http://af.reuters.com/article/energy...BrandChannel=0

Technical And Political Complications Impede Agreement On Joint Oil Fields

Contrary to last week's announcement that Iraq and Kuwait had reached a preliminary agreement for sharing the oil in their joint fields, a source in Kuwait told the daily al-Hayat that there were technical, security and political complications that would impede the implementation of such agreement.

There are a number of oil fields, some quite large, which are shared by the two countries. The current border between Iraq and Kuwait was drawn by the U.N. Security Council in the wake of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the subsequent defeat of the invaders in the hands of a large military coalition under the leadership of the United States.

Many Iraqi politicians, including some in senior government positions, decry the border markings as drawn during extremely unfavorable circumstances for Iraq and demand that the issue be re-negotiated, which would affect any future oil agreement between the two countries. It is known that former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, used the oil issue as one of the excuses for invading Kuwait, accusing the Kuwaitis of stealing Iraqi oil through horizontal drilling from their side of the border.

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/30047.htm

Iraq's industry expects to enter the global market , after receiving the certificate of quality

The general manager of the challenge to produce engines, high-voltage one of the formations and the Ministry of Industry and Minerals in Iraq on Saturday, said the company will enter the global market for the production of engines HV after receiving a certificate of international quality "ISO" following update their product to international specifications.

Razak said Obeis Marzouq told Kurdistan News (Akaniwz) announced today that "the Company has obtained the quality certificate by the device standardization and quality control institutes and global situation of the company 's refineries international companies producing high-voltage motors".

Marzouq said that "the product of the company current transformers and voltage transformers used in the measurement system and electrical systems will be subject to engineering tests and standards of international experience," noting that "all products carrying the guarantee of not less than six months."

And that "the company and the staff working in it today able to remove the affected files from the old engines and equip a new production company, "noting that" the company sets a strategic plan for the manufacture of engine parts in full year 2011."

Marzouk said that "the company's annual production of high-voltage motors up to the production of 20 000 and 100 converted stream converter voltage, medium voltage and 100 current medium voltage converter as well as the previous output."

The company specialized erection, construction and rehabilitation systems environmental protection, such precipitators electrostatic factor of cement with the design and manufacture of equipment electromagnetic such current transformers and voltage for the purpose of measurement, protection and shakers and inductors and magnets electric and rehabilitation systems, high voltage, while setting up and checking systems to improve power factor.

http://www.aknews.com/ar/aknews/2/179193/

National Coalition nominates Abdul Mehdi

The National Coalition nominated Supreme Council senior official Adel Abdul Mehdi as a candidate for Premiership.

Abdul Mehdi is believed to be the competitor of State of Law Coalition candidate Nuri Al Maliki.

Ibrahim Al Jaafari, Ahmad Al Chalabi and National Coalition independents did not attend the meeting held on Friday in the office of head of Islamic Supreme Council Sayyed Ammar Al Hakim.

National Coalition senior official Khaled Al Mulla read out the statement announcing Abdul Mehdi candidature.

http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News...dul-Mehdi.html



State of Law welcomes Abdul Mehdi nomination

State of Law Coalition senior official Ali Al Dabbagh welcomed the National Coalition’s agreement on a candidate to compete with Nuri Al Maliki which will lead to choose a competent candidate and end the government formation delay.

There are no mechanisms within the National Alliance over a candidate for Premiership, Al Dabbagh noted, stressing however the necessity for the National Alliance to name a candidate at once.

http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News...omination.html



Reform Party rejects Abdul Mehdi nomination

Iraqi Reform Movement headed by former Prime Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari rejected the nomination of Adel Abdul Mehdi as a candidate for Premiership, stressing that there are some reservations on the mechanism of nomination.

The Reform movement boycotted the meeting during which Abdel Mehdi nomination was announced, senior official Faleh Al Fayad told Alsumaria.
Al Fayad wondered how the nomination was decided in one session while related talks took several months.

The reform movement respects the will of the national coalition members but affirms that it does not represent the movement, he added.

http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News...omination.html

Angels Ford Company the very idea of America begin to dig the well Bazargan / 25 Eastern Architecture

Angels company started the very idea of America Ford drilling the well Bazargan / 25 (70) kilometers east of the city of Amarah.

Information and Zkrmder Maysan Oil Company Ali Abbas Terminal told the independent press (Iba) to drill the well drilling project is part of 20 oil wells Ford contracted with the very idea of Maysan oil Hfarhoboaqa ten wells productivity and Okrylda'm Almkmenibadv increase production capacity.

He added: It is hoped to be the productive capacity of this well (2000-3000) barrels per day Taatdment drilling the well through the use of drill (710) Hfrtjoev superficial depth of 123 meters and then take down the pipes and call it to this depth and Osmalhfr Qatar (1705) Lang to Depth (2158) meters, after which the process of lining Altzmit and download and then start other complementary stages.

The depth of the well Bazargan / 24, which initiated the process of hole in the tenth month of September and arrived at 1500 meters.

http://www.ipairaq.com/index.php?nam...onomy&id=29871

Talabani pushes to end Parliament deadlock

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani called on MPs to be present at the Parliament every day, assume constitutional responsibility and work on meeting legal quorum in order to hold the Parliament session.

He urged to end parliament stalling and pressure political parties to form the government.

President Talabani called on elected authorities to focus on ascertaining security, reaching stability, improving services and pushing economy forward.

http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News...-deadlock.html

Economists : the Government of Arbil, has succeeded in attracting investment companies

The number of Iraqi economists said Saturday that the Government of Irbil has succeeded in attracting investment companies after it had succeeded in providing an appropriate atmosphere for investment.

A member of the Council of the Iraqi economy Gabrabdahamid told Kurdistan News (Akaniwz) announced today that "the Government of Arbil, has succeeded in attracting global investment firms, since it dealt with the investment portfolio based on the flexibility and precision of legal, political away from the auctions."

He added that "investment projects in the region experiencing its peak, there are hundreds of Arab and foreign companies now operating in the province on the implementation of major projects," noting that "projects in Kurdistan, and the task that will transform the region into an important investment system."

On the other hand, one expert emphasized economic affairs at the University of Baghdad 's Fadel Meshaal (Akaniwz) that "the Kurdistan Regional Government led investment projects and one authority, and did not make the file across, and plans were useful and consistent with the investment requirements needed in the region."

He said he was "not expected to succeed the territorial Government in dealing with the investment portfolio to such a degree of precision and follow-up and ensure the implementation of investment projects is important and necessary for the Kurdish people."

Between Meshaal and that "we are witnessing in the current stage, the advent of investment companies and ministers last of which was important and Industry Minister Amer Hadidi, Jordan in order to obtain an opportunity to invest and implement service projects in the region."

For his part, called on Iraq's economic Shomran Kubba, the federal government in Baghdad to follow the example of the Kurdistan Regional Government in the standardization of references to investment, and said to (Akaniwz) that "should the federal government to benefit from the experience of the Government of Arbil, which is a great success in attracting investment companies, and countries wishing to implement projects in The province."

He continued, saying that "success comes through the consolidation of governmental institutions in the region, which oversees the implementation of investment projects and the non-problematic file without any technical or legal deterrent."

The Kurdistan region is witnessing fast gaining foreign investment companies and Arabic, as well as frequent visits by senior officers from the countries which invest in Kurdistan.

Are still technical problems and administrative stuck between the Governments of Baghdad and Irbil, the background rejection of the Iraqi Oil Ministry contracts entered into by the Ministry of natural resources province of the Kurdistan with countries worldwide on grounds of constitutionality; it rejected by the provincial government promised it back to the mental central delayed the country has lacked for waiting.

http://www.aknews.com/ar/aknews/2/179242/