Iraq's oil ministry invites companies to bid on oil, gas development projects

[sabra]

Source: AP

BAGHDAD: Iraq's Oil Ministry said Sunday that it has invited local and international oil companies to bid for contracts including one to develop a natural gas field in a Sunni area in the west of the country.

The ministry has set a deadline of April 24 for companies to submit detailed plans to help develop the Akkas gas field, located in the former Sunni insurgent stronghold of Anbar province, the ministry said on its Web site.

The Akkas field has estimated reserves of more than 2.15 trillion cubic feet (60 billion cubic meters).

Most of the country's vast petroleum wealth is located in the Kurdish north and the Shiite south. Development of the Akkas field could boost the economy in Sunni areas, where support for the government remains tenuous.

Companies interested in submitting a detailed design, which would include a procurement of all equipment and required materials for the western province's Akkas gas field, must meet the ministry's deadline of April 24, the ministry said on its Web site.



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/23/africa/ME-FIN-Iraq-Gas-Field.php

[rfranklin]

1. But what happened to the Bush-Cheney sweetheart deal?

The one that was supposed to pay for the war? What happened to that pipe(line) dream?

[ohio2007]

3. Thats not how the Iraqi government saw it.

Currently, after several years foot dragging, they are ready to cut these oil deals to put money in the pockets of Saddams ex military employees.

Those idle hands have to be put to work. ( Obamas words, not mine )

[ohio2007]

2. China is ready to offer more bids to go with what they already have

snip
The project's aim is to export crude oil and import multi-products through Shatt-al-Arab waterway, the ministry said.

Offers must be submitted no later than 0900 GMT of April 24.

snip

Iran will be the middle man as they can't afford to upgrade their own oil infrastructure. Don't be suprised if the articles about China's oil company moves in on the lucrative contracts.


Our blood, their oil.

[Joanne98]

4. There it is.

[merh]

5. This is contrary to the parliament's wishes

Those deals are part of the hydrocarbon laws that are the US benchmark established by the admin. The royalties/percentages to the corporations are too high, they get paid for the production and get to hold onto profits that belong to the Iraq people.

The oil corps would be the US presence in Iraq and the leases for 50 years, would provide the justification for our continued occupation.

just more of the puppet government doing the bidding of the admin and ignoring its own people.

[Amonester]

8. yes, and how many more 4,000's will they "$acrifice"

for Mc$ame chainy bu$h "romance" in euroa$ia?

[Arctic Dave]

6. Hmmmmm. Let's see here.

The Iraqi gov't wants to develope a gas field in the Anbar providence? If most of the oil and gas is in the Shite south and the Kurdish north were they already have existing infrastructure why would they want to spend the extra money on developing a new field. They must be trying to bring the Sunnis into the fray by divying up the oil wealth and putting them to work. It may also be a starting point for splitting up the country into three seperate regions, all with individual oil and gas resources. Well well, could we be starting to learn something about Iraq's people and how old drawn up plans don't mean jack to the reality on the ground. Maybe that is why the Dark One went to the ME, to OK the plans to divide the country and square it away with the rest of the gulf countries. If you think about it the most difficult and tragic part is done, dividing the population along ethnic lines.

After thought: I wonder if this the reason why we were so quick to recognize Kosovo's indepndence. This would give more legitimacy when they announce the plan to "Balkinize" Iraq.

[Supersedeas]

7. so wanna guess who has an inside track thanks to Dimson