Some Iraq oil deals still considered too dangerous
BAGHDAD Ñ The Iraqi government has failed to win bidders for crude
oil fields regarded as posing excessive security risks.
The Iraqi Oil Ministry failed to garner bids for development of East
Baghdad, Middle East Newsline reported. East Baghdad, located in the Shi'ite-populated Sadr City, was
regarded as a security challenge for energy contractors.
"The new Iraq Ñ after all it has suffered from wars and misadventures
that led to destruction and upheaval Ñ is in grave need of developing its
oil industry," Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki said.
Also In This Edition
In contrast, the Oil Ministry awarded deals to major energy companies on
Dec. 11.
They included Royal Dutch Shell and Malaysia's Petronas, which won
a development contract for the Majnoun oil field, and France's Total,
China's CNPC and Petronas for the Halfaya field.