14 April 2005 The pending appointment of a new government in Iraq — the third since September 2003 — appears unlikely to open the doors to large investments by international oil companies, although the drawing up of a constitution later this year may take them one step closer. But that’s not deterring firms from getting a foot in the door, with some 29 companies signing memorandums of understanding (MOU) with…
Tag: Missan
Iraqi Oil Minister Sets Up Committees in Bid to Fight Corruption
14 June 2005 Iraq’s Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum has set up three new committees for marketing, contracts and downstream in a bid to fight corruption, as promised when he took over in May, Iraqi sources said. However, the sources warned that the new formula of running the oil ministry’s affairs by committees could paralyze the workings of the different departments by adding a new layer of bureaucracy. Just a…
Iraqi Officials Replaced In Political Move
1 July 2005 Two of Iraq’s top oil officials have been replaced by the country’s new oil minister, in a move widely regarded as politically motivated. The changes represent the second major shake up of the oil ministry since Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum was appointed as minister in May, Baghdad sources told International Oil Daily Thursday. Nabil Lamuza, director general of planning and studies, was replaced by an outsider, Fayad Hassan…
Iraq Focuses On Pilot Projects To Counter Big Field Declines
8 July 2005 Iraq’s South Oil Co. (SOC) is launching a handful of pilot production projects at oil fields in southern Iraq, in an attempt to compensate for declines at its large producing fields, according to local industry sources. The big-field problems have been exacerbated by a lack of funds for drilling new wells and working over existing wells, as well as delays in implementing water injection projects. The major…