Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — The autonomous region of Kurdistan has signed an energy
exploration deal with a major Western contractor.

ExxonMobil has signed several energy exploration contracts with the
Kurdish Regional Government in northern Iraq.

ExxonMobil has been a major contractor for the Iraqi Oil Ministry. The
ministry said it warned the company three times that any contracts with KRG
without Baghdad’s approval would be deemed illegal and could result in the
termination of projects in the rest of Iraq.

Under the agreements with KRG, the U.S. company was assigned to search for crude oil and natural gas in six blocks in Kurdistan.

“The KRG has for the last few months been in discussions with a number
of major oil companies,” KRG adviser Michael Howard said on Nov. 11. “This
resulted in the recent signing by ExxonMobil of contracts to explore in six
blocks.”

  Exxon signs Kurdistan deal, ExxonMobil, Iraqi Oil Ministry, Kurdistan Regional Government, risking Iraq oil contracts