Special to WorldTribune.com A public policy think tank says a government subpoena demanding documents related to its research on climate change is a blatant infringement of its First Amendment rights. Others see it as another step by the Obama administration to not only silence but criminalize so-called “climate change denial.” The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) […]
Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Iran, relieved of some sanctions, has been wooing Western energy majors. Officials said the Oil Ministry was in contact with seven Western oil companies to renew operations in Iran. The companies were identified as Britain’s BP, the U.S. ExxonMobil and Conoco Phillips, France’s Total, Royal Dutch Shell, Italy’s ENI and […]
Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Iraq, despite huge reserves, has seen a loss of interest by Western energy majors. Industry sources said Western contractors have reduced their activity in Iraq while focusing on other areas, including the autonomous Kurdistan in the north. The sources cited rampant corruption as well the insurgency war, factors that the […]
Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Lebanon has selected 46 energy companies for its first offshore exploration project that could clash with neighboring Israel. Lebanese Energy Minister Gebrane Bassil said 46 companies were qualified to bid for licenses for exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. Bassil said 12 of the applicants qualified to bid as operators for […]
Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — The autonomous region of Kurdistan, in defiance of Iraq, has decided to expand independent crude oil exports. A Western company said it would expand oil exports from Kurdistan in 2013. Genel Energy, dismissing the prospect of a lawsuit by the Baghdad government, said it would raise exports to 20,000 barrels […]
Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Kurdistan has urged the United States to halt its F-16 multi-role fighter project with Iraq. Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani warned that Iraq would use the F-16s against the autonomous region of Kurdistan. Barzani said Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki has already raised the prospect that Baghdad […]
Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan has suspended crude oil exports. The Kurdistan Regional Government said the Iraqi Oil Ministry forced the suspension by halting revenues to energy contractors in the autonomous north. KRG said Baghdad withheld payment since May 2011. For its part, Baghdad has accused KRG of smuggling oil through Iran. […]
Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — A Western energy major has suspended an agreement with Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region. ExxonMobil has suspended an accord with the Kurdistan Regional Government for oil exploration in northern Iraq. The company, under threat of a ban by Iraq, informed the Oil Ministry in Baghdad on March 5 that ExxonMobil would […]
Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Iraq has warned a Western energy major against working in the autonomous Kurdistan region. Iraq’s Oil Ministry has threatened France’s Total against accepting projects from the Kurdish Regional Government. The ministry said Total would require permission from the Baghdad government for any development program in Kurdistan or face a boycott […]
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 […]