Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan has been unfazed by Baghdad’s threats against independent energy projects.

The Kurdish Regional Government has continued to approve projects by Western and other energy companies. Western companies have remained in Kurdistan despite warnings of a boycott by the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

One such Western contractor, Oryx Petroleum, reported progress in drilling for energy in Kurdistan’s Hawler license area.

The Canadian company has been drilling a well in Demir Dagh and expected to begin oil production in mid-2014.

“Observations during drilling of all wells on the Demir Dagh structure
continue to be encouraging,” Oryx chief operation officer Henry Legarre said
on Jan. 27.

  continues to deal with Western energy firms, Hawler license area, KRG, Kurdistan brushes off Iraqi threats as deals with Western energy firms move forward, Oryx