WASHINGTON — China has agreed to explore for crude oil in
Iraq where American companies dare not go.
An Iraqi executive said Chinese companies have dismissed security
threats and plan to drill for oil in Iraq. The executive said Iraq
approached China to participate in the project.
Dathar Al Khashab, general manager of Midland Refineries Co./Daura
Refinery, told the American Petroleum Institute annual meeting in San
Antonio, Texas that China was approached after U.S. companies refused to
work in Iraq.
Al Khashab did not provide details of the oil exploration
projects offered to China.
"Please help," Al Khashab told U.S. oil executives. "Please be brave
enough to go to Iraq. Don't just sit there and wait on the opportunity."
Iraq has failed in its efforts to raise oil production to 2.5 million
barrels per day. The effort has been hampered by Sunni insurgency attacks
against oil facilities, pipeline and employees.
