The oil dispute puts Baghdad in front of “big” legal problems.. Billions of compensation for Erbil (details)

[horsesoldier]

..." other rounds " of discussions to come

If they ever turn this into a bonafide Soap Opera...hang on,THIS is already a Soap Opera !!!!

Oy Vey already,huh.

[Half Crazy Runner]

10 hours ago, horsesoldier said:

.." other rounds " of discussions to come

Words that make me cringe 😖

[yota691]

The Minister of Oil stresses the importance of reviewing the contracts of the Kurdistan region and establishing a company in Erbil to manage the activity

Part of the first round of discussions between the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and the delegation of the Kurdistan Region

 April 11, 2022 05:41 PM

Mubasher: The Iraqi Oil Minister, Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar Ismail, confirmed today, Monday, the ministry’s commitment to the basic principles that were previously proposed by the Ministry of Oil regarding the management of the oil file in the Kurdistan region.

The Minister of Oil said, in a joint press conference with the head of the regional delegation, Khaled Shwani, according to a statement by the ministry, that the basic principles included sending all contracts and agreements concluded by the Kurdistan Regional Government with countries and oil companies for the purpose of reviewing, amending and improving them, as well as transferring the contracting party from the Ministry of Natural Resources. To an oil company established for this purpose by virtue of a decision of the Council of Ministers to be based in Erbil, owned by the federal authority, and authorized to manage the entire oil activity in accordance with the powers, standards and assets prepared and assessed by the National Oil Company and the Federal Ministry of Oil.

Ismail pointed out that the basic principles also include opening a bank escrow account in international banks; For the purpose of depositing all proceeds from the sale and export of crude oil, it is owned by the Ministry of Finance and used to secure payments in favor of the Territory in the event of a delay in its transmission from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The Minister of Oil stressed the ministry's keenness to develop the oil and gas industry in all parts of Iraq, in accordance with international technical and professional mechanisms and standards, and to work to maximize financial revenues, in a way that supports the national economy.

She drew the Minister of Oil to joint work to solve all the problems and bridge the gap left by the problems of the past years, and to launch a new phase of cooperation in a way that serves the public interest, noting that the delegation of the region will return to consult with his government, in order to launch another round of dialogues and discussions, praising the understanding of the members The delegation of the region for the topics addressed in the meeting.

For his part, the head of the region's delegation, Khaled Shwani, said that the meetings were characterized by frankness, as it was agreed to put in place mechanisms that could form a future plan of action to deal with the oil problem in all its aspects.

Shwani stressed that the oil and gas law is the best solution to solve all problems, and that this meeting represents a good start for cooperation between the Ministry of Oil and the regional government.

The meeting was attended by undersecretaries of the ministry and a number of officials and relevant committees of the National Oil Company and the relevant departments in the center of the Ministry of Oil. The delegation of the region also included a number of officials in the government and the Ministry of Natural Resources, including 3 officials with the rank of minister.

[yota691]

The Iraqi federal administration.. Sumo reveals unannounced scenes of the meeting of the Kurdish delegation in Baghdad

 

 

538 Economy 2022/04/12 21:48 Baghdad today -

Kurdistan The state oil marketing company, SOMO, revealed today, Tuesday, that the oil fields in the north of the country will be managed by an Iraqi ministry and in cooperation with the Kurdistan government.

 

The "ekurd" website, quoting Somo, said that "the Iraqi Oil Ministry has completed all necessary steps to implement the Federal Court ruling, which gives it the authority to deal with oil and gas fields in Kurdistan and in cooperation with the Kurdish authorities."

 

He pointed out that "on February 22, the Iraqi Supreme Court considered the oil and gas law regulating the oil industry in Iraqi Kurdistan unconstitutional and demanded that the Kurdish authorities hand over their supplies of crude." He explained that, "according to the court ruling, the Kurdish authorities in Erbil must hand over all crude from the Kurdistan Regional Government and adjacent areas to the Iraqi federal government, represented by the Oil Ministry in Baghdad."

 

The court confirmed, according to the statement, that "the oil contracts between the Kurdistan Regional Government, oil companies, foreign parties and countries are null and void."

 

He continued: "Many Kurdish politicians, observers and the general public believe that many of the projects and deals of the oil industry in Iraqi Kurdistan are carried out in a non-transparent manner, some even described them as secret, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is considered one of the most corrupt regions of Iraq, and according to monitoring bodies, Kurdish MPs and leaked documents that have lost billions of dollars in oil revenues.

[yota691]

Iraqi ministry to oversee Kurdistan oil and gas field management: SOMO

BYESTA MEDIA NETWORK

2 DAYS AGO

1

SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraq’s oil ministry has taken all necessary measures required to implement a federal court’s ruling that gives it the authority to manage oil and gas fields in the Kurdistan Region, state oil marketer SOMO said on Monday.

Reuters cited SOMO as saying that the ministry would implement the measures in cooperation with the Kurdish authorities.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been developing oil and gas resources independently of the federal government, and in 2007 enacted its own law that established the directives by which the region would administer them.

The Region’s massive untapped oil reserves, lucrative production-sharing contracts and safe environment have prompted international oil companies over recent years to commit to investing billions of dollars there.

But in February, Iraq’s federal court deemed the oil and gas law regulating the oil industry in Kurdistan unconstitutional and demanded that the KRG hand over their crude supplies.

A KRG delegation is expected to hold talks with senior Iraqi officials in Baghdad on

Monday, according to information Esta Media Network has obtained.

[yota691]

Oil resources at heart of renewed tension between Baghdad and Erbil

 

Analysts said that SOMO’s decision to take over the oil and gas fields in Iraqi Kurdistan will deal a heavy blow to the existing tripartite parliamentary alliance between the Sadrist bloc, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Sunnis.

Tuesday 12/04/2022

A 2018 file picture shows Nechirvan Barzani, now president of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region (KRG), meeting Iraqi Shia leader and cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in Najaf. (AFP)

BAGHDAD / ERBIL-

Iraqi political analysts expect tensions to rise between the federal government and the Iraqi Kurdistan region as a result of the announcement by State Oil Company (SOMO) of its intent to enforce a federal court ruling allowing the central government to take control of the Kurdistan region’s oil resources.

 

The new source of tension, they say, will cast its shadow on the ongoing political crisis as each side holds on to its partisan and sectarian interests while they negotiate a deal for the stalled choice for president and prime minister.

 

State oil marketer SOMO said, on Monday, that Iraq's oil ministry has taken all necessary measures required to enforce the federal court's ruling which gives SOMO the authority to manage oil and gas fields in northern Iraq, in cooperation with the regional Kurdish authorities,

 

Analysts said that SOMO’s decision to take over Iraq's Kurdish oil and gas fields will deal a heavy blow to the existing tripartite parliamentary alliance between the Sadrist bloc, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Sunnis.

 

The leader of the Sadrist movement, Moqtada al-Sadr, will find himself in a tough spot, as it will be difficult for him to abide by the court's decision in line with his own advocacy for the restoration of state authority, while at the same time sticking to his alliance with Massoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. The alliance would mean Sadr accepting Barzani’s conditions for choosing the president and prime minister, if  he does not want to count on the votes of the pro-Iranian Shia Coordination Framework’s MPs.

Analysts say Sadr cannot make any pledges to his ally Barzani about circumventing the court’s decision. He has also no power to block any steps taken by SOMO to gain control of the Kurdish oil and gas fields.

 

Furthermore, any suggestion of making concessions about the issue will be used against him by his opponent, Nuri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law coalition and an active member in the Coordination Framework.

 

Iraqi experts do not rule out the possibility that this new step was meant to embarrass Sadr and his movement, especially since SOMO’s announcement coincided with the meeting between government officials and Kurdish representatives to discuss ways of amicably resolving the crisis. Iraqi Kurds are now expected to put aside their differences, including those related to the issue of the election of the president. They will instead devote themselves to opposing the government's efforts to take control of the oil sector and its revenues (and other crucial aspects including the signing of contracts), which are all vital for the Kurdistan region.

 

A statement by the ministry of oil said on Monday, "The Federal Oil Ministry and a high-ranking delegation representing the Kurdistan Regional Government will hold today the first meeting to discuss the executive procedures, after the Federal Court's decision to agree on new and standard mechanisms for managing the oil industry issue in the region, in a manner that achieves the highest benefit and financial returns. This aims at serving the public interest as it contributes to strengthening and supporting the national economy and the promoting the integration of the national oil industry.”

 

Iraq's oil minister called on Monday for the establishment of a new oil company in its northern Kurdish region to manage the energy contracts signed by the regional government.

 

Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar, speaking at the conclusion of a round of talks with Kurdish officials, also stressed the importance of reviewing Kurdistan's current oil contracts.

The talks came after a federal court ruling that gave the oil ministry in Baghdad the authority to manage oil and gas fields in Iraq.

 

Iraq's federal court ruled this February that the oil and gas law regulating the oil industry in Iraqi Kurdistan was unconstitutional and demanded that Kurdish authorities cede control of their crude oil.

 

The decision stipulated that the Kurdish government in Erbil hand over all crude from the KRG and neighbouring areas to the federal government, represented by the oil ministry in Baghdad.

 

The ruling declared KRG oil contracts with oil companies, foreign parties and states “invalid”. This includes exploration, extraction, export and sale agreements, according to the decision.

 

The ruling also stated that the oil ministry must be allowed to audit all agreements concluded by the KRG with oil and gas companies.

 

Iraqi exports amount to about 3.5 million barrels per day earning 90 percent of the country's budget.

 

The Kurdistan region had pledged to hand over 250,000 barrels of its daily production, which exceeds 400,000 barrels, to the central government through the oil ministry, in exchange for receiving the salaries of Kurdish officials and Peshmerga fighters, the armed forces of the region, from the federal government.

 

The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, announced his rejection of the federal court's decision, stressing that Erbil will continue to implement its own oil and gas law.

 

Barzani said that the Federal Court's decision, which declares “the region’s oil and gas law unconstitutional is a violation of the constitution and the rights of the people of Kurdistan.”

 

Despite its sharp disagreement with Barzani's party over the candidate for the presidency, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (the Talabanis’ party) sided with the region's interests. Its spokesman, Amin Baba Sheikh, declared that it was necessary to think about "finding solutions to the problems between the region and the federal government, not to further complicate the problems."

 

He added that this issue and other pending questions should have been left “to be negotiated between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government after the formation of the government on the basis of the constitution."

[yota691]

Iraqi and Kurdish officials conclude first round of negations on oil

MENA

3 min read

Dana Taib Menmy

Iraq

11 April, 2022

The Iraqi oil minister stressed the importance of reviewing all oil contracts signed between the KRG and the international companies.

 

Iraqi oil minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar seen in the middle with the KRG minister of state for negotiation affairs with the federal government, Khalid Shwani, on the right. [Iraqi oil ministry]

Officials from the Iraqi oil ministry and a senior delegation from the Kurdistan region held the first round of meeting to discuss measures to manage the Kurdistan region's oil and gas industry after Iraq's Supreme Federal Court (ISFC) in February ruled that exporting oil from the northern region was unconstitutional.

The ministry said in a statement that the Kurdish delegation included officials from the ministry of natural resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) along with three other senior officials.

After the meeting, Iraqi oil minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar held a joint press conference with Khalid Shawani, KRG's minister of state for negotiation affairs with the federal government.

"Iraq's oil minister stressed on the basic principles that were previously suggested by the oil ministry regarding managing the oil dossier in the Kurdistan region, that includes reviewing and amending all contracts that were signed by the KRG with the international oil companies," the media office of the Iraqi oil ministry said in a statement sent to The New Arab.

 

The minister also said that the Kurdish delegation is planning to return to Erbil to discuss the suggestions with the Kurdish leadership.

According to the Iraqi suggestions, international oil companies will no longer sign contracts with the KRG ministry of natural resources, rather a new oil company based in Erbil and under the supervision of the Iraqi oil ministry will be the only entity to be able to would sign contracts.

"The company would open a bank account at an international bank and the revenues from selling oil from the Kurdistan region will be directly transferred into the Iraqi finance ministry," the Iraqi oil ministry stated. 

On his part, Shawani said that the meeting was "frank" and both sides agreed that "this is a good start for cooperation between the Iraqi oil ministry and the KRG." 

Shawani also indicated that passing a national oil and gas law would be "the best solution" to deal with all issues between both sides.         

 

"The meeting aims to discuss executive measures, after the decision by ISFC, and to agree on new and standardized measures to manage the oil industry in the region, in a way to achieve the highest advantage and financial resources needed for the general good's service and to help reinforce the national economy and national oil industry," the Iraqi oil ministry said in another statement before the meeting.

The statement also indicated that the Iraqi oil ministry has assigned specialised advisors to review all contracts that have been signed between the KRG and international oil companies working in the region.

On the other hand, state oil marketer SOMO on Monday said that Iraq's oil ministry has "taken all necessary measures required to implement a federal court's ruling that gives it the authority to manage oil and gas fields in northern Iraq, in cooperation with the regional Kurdish authorities."

The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court in mid-February ruled against the Kurdistan region's oil and gas law that was passed in 2007 by the region’s parliament and regulates the oil and gas sector in the region. 

The Kurdish officials then described the court's decision as "unconstitutional" and  "unjust".

[ametad]

Looks like the rubber is meeting the road here. I’ve been waiting for this kind of action for a long time. This is GOOD PROGRESS, I hope it continues and solidifies into an HCL binding agreement.

[6ly410]

 

[6ly410]

 

 

 

 

2022/04/13 20:09

Region: We are committed to solving problems with the federal government in accordance with the constitution

https://almasalah-com.translate.goog/ar/news/225096/الاقليم-متمسكون-بحل-المشاكل-مع-الحكومة-الاتحادية-وفق-الدستور?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

 

 

 

 

 

Baghdad/The Obelisk: The Adviser to the President of the Kurdistan Region, Falah Mustafa, clarified on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, that the Kurdistan Region is committed to solving its problems with the Iraqi federal government on the basis of the constitution and through dialogue.

During a breakfast banquet organized by the Kurdistan Region Presidency for diplomats working in consulates and representations of countries in the Kurdistan Region, Mustafa expressed his thanks and appreciation to Kurdistan for the support and assistance of friendly countries and the international community, praising the role and impact of diplomatic representations of countries in the Kurdistan Region in developing relations and areas of joint cooperation.

Mustafa affirmed the Kurdistan Region's position on solving problems with the Iraqi federal government on the basis of the constitution and through dialogue, hoping that Eid al-Fitr will be an opportunity for the Iraqi parties to reach a common understanding and solutions to their problems

 

[southbeach]

This is finally happening thank Jesus

[screwball]

it will happen

[6ly410]

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has refused to accept Baghdad's proposal to establish an Iraqi-run oil company in Erbil to manage the Kurdistan Region's energy dossier, a top government official told Kurdistan 24.

Following the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court's (FSC) ruling that the Kurdistan Region's oil and gas law is unconstitutional, the KRG sent delegations to Baghdad to negotiate on the outstanding issue. During those negotiations, the Iraqi Ministry of Oil proposed establishing a company called the Kurdistan Region Oil Company (KROC) in Erbil to be managed by the central government to resolve the issue. The company would be in charge of the Kurdistan Region's energy dossier. 

"Baghdad's proposal and request to establish an oil company owned by it in the Region was refused," Abdul Hakeem Khasro, the head of the Kurdistan Region's Department of Coordination and Follow-up, told Kurdistan 24 on Thursday. 

The KRG instead proposed that it could establish its own oil company that it would administer, Khasro said, without elaborating on what the Iraqi side thought of the proposal. 

Khasro also added that the KRG proposed establishing KOMO, presumably the Kurdistan Organization for Marketing of Oil, the equivalent of Iraq's State Organization for Marketing of Oil, known by its acronym SOMO. 

The court's ruling noted that KRG's Oil and Gas Law issued in 2007, under which the Region has managed its oil affairs with international and local companies, is "unconstitutional", a claim which the Kurdish authorities strongly refute. 

In the absence of a new oil and gas law, the Iraqi government still uses Law No. 101 from 1976. The KRG says the law is one of the leftover "centralized laws" from the Baathist era and is incompatible with the spirit of federalism that was supposed to prevail in post-2003 Iraq. 

Khasro said that the KRG will continue its talks with the Iraqi side until reaching an agreement based on the Iraqi constitution that protects the Kurdistan Region's rights and entitlements. 

[yota691]

A former Kurdish deputy warns of a "dangerous turn" after the Baghdad and Erbil oil negotiations

2022.04.15 - 23:52

 

Baghdad - people  

The former member of Parliamentary Finance for two sessions of the Kurdistan (Islamic) Justice Bloc, Ahmed Al-Haj Rashid, warned, on Friday, of a "dangerous turning point" after the failure of the Baghdad and Erbil oil negotiations.  

 

  

Haj Rashid said in a tweet on Twitter, followed by "Nass", (April 15, 2022), that "the region is at a dangerous juncture after the failure of the region's negotiations with Baghdad regarding the implementation of the Federal Court's decision on oil, and the sudden visit of the head of the regional government and the meeting with the Turkish president and discussion about regional gas.  

He added, "I wonder if Turkey showed its willingness to protect its interests and the interests of the region, even if it led to a military invasion."  

  

Earlier, the Ministry of Oil announced the details of the first round of discussions with the delegation of the Kurdistan region, while the latter revealed what had been agreed upon, stressing that "the meetings were characterized by frankness."  

  

And the Ministry’s media office quoted in a statement, “Nass” received a copy of it, (April 11, 2022), the Minister of Oil, Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar Ismail, as saying in a joint press conference with the head of the region’s delegation, Khaled Shwani, that “the basic principles included sending all contracts and agreements concluded by the government. Kurdistan region with countries and oil companies, for the purpose of reviewing, amending and improving them, as well as transferring its contracting party from the Ministry of Natural Resources to an oil company established for this purpose by virtue of a decision of the Council of Ministers to be based in Erbil, owned by the Federal Authority, and authorized to manage the entire oil activity in accordance with the powers, standards and assets It is prepared and estimated by the National Oil Company and the Federal Ministry of Oil.    

  

Ismail pointed out, “The basics also include opening a bank escrow account in one of the international banks for the purpose of depositing all revenues from the sale and export of crude oil, owned by the Ministry of Finance and used to secure payments in favor of the region in the event of a delay in sending it from the Federal Ministry of Finance.”    

  

The Minister of Oil stressed, "The ministry's keenness to develop the oil and gas industry in all parts of Iraq, in accordance with international technical and professional mechanisms and standards, and to work to maximize financial revenues in a way that supports the national economy."    

  

He continued, "Joint work to solve all problems, reduce and bridge the gap left by the problems of the past years, and launch a new phase of cooperation in a manner that serves the public interest, and that the region's delegation will return to consult with its government, in order to launch another round of dialogues and discussions, praising the understanding of the members of the delegation." region for the topics addressed in the meeting.    

  

For his part, the head of the region's delegation, Khaled Shwani, said, "The meetings were characterized by frankness, as it was agreed to put in place mechanisms that could form a future action plan to address the problem of oil in all its aspects in a fundamental way, stressing that the oil and gas law is the best solution to remove all problems, and that this meeting It represents a good start for cooperation between the Ministry of Oil and the regional government."    

  

The statement indicated that "the meeting was attended by the undersecretaries of the ministry and a number of officials and relevant committees in the National Oil Company and the relevant departments in the center of the Ministry of Oil," noting that "the delegation of the region includes a number of officials in the government and the Ministry of Natural Resources, including three officials with the rank of minister."    

  

  

And Kurdish media had reported, earlier, that a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government was scheduled to visit the capital, Baghdad; To discuss the oil file and the Federal Court's decision regarding the unconstitutionality of the Oil and Gas Law in the Kurdistan Region.  

  

The spokesman for the Kurdistan Regional Government, Jutiar Adel, said, in a statement, which was followed by "Nass" (10 April 2022), that "the purpose of the visit is to discuss the energy issue and solve outstanding problems."      

  

He added that "one of the topics of discussion between the two sides is the decisions recently taken by the Federal Court regarding the oil and gas sector in the Kurdistan region."    

  

He pointed out that "the delegation consists of Khaled Shwani, Omid Sabah, Abdul Hakim Khosrow and Amanj Rahim."      

  

  

And the Federal Court ruled, last February, the unconstitutionality of the oil and gas law in the Kurdistan Regional Government.  

  

And the judiciary's media stated in a statement that "Nass" received a copy of it, (February 15, 2022), that "the Federal Court issued a ruling that the oil and gas law in the Kurdistan Regional Government is unconstitutional."        

  

He added that "the federal government obligated the region to enable the Ministry of Oil and the Federal Office of Financial Supervision to follow up on the conclusion of contracts for the sale of oil and gas in the region."        

  

The federal government also obligated "the regional government to hand over to the federal government, represented by the Federal Ministry of Oil."     

[6ly410]

ERBIL — Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar has described 80% of the contracts between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and international oil companies as “correct” while the remaining 20% might need minor amendments. 

Following the first round of fresh talks on oil disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, Minister Abdul Jabbar said during an interview with Furat TV that lack of trust is the reason for the differences but Baghdad intends to “negotiate [with Erbil] on the issues that exist in the 20% of the contracts.” 

He further explained that the political blocs should keep distance from the oil dossier because “oil might be a political good, but it cannot be managed with politics.”

According to the minister, Baghdad has put forward three requests, including revision of oil contracts based on the law, establishment of a new oil company under the control of Iraq to manage Kurdistan’s oil sector, and brining development of oil sector as well as oil pricing under the control of the federal government.

Abdul Hakeem Khasro, head of the KRG’s Department of Coordination and Follow-up, who was a member of the KRG delegation in the latest round of negotiations with Baghdad, previously said that the KRG has rejected the proposal of establishing a new company owned by Iraq for management of Kurdistan’s oil. 

He pointed out that Erbil has instead proposed to establish its own oil company to run the oil and gas sector in coordination with Baghdad. 

Khasro further explained that the KRG is running its oil sector in light of 2nd Section, Article 112 of the Iraqi Constitution, and the Kurdistan Region’s Oil and Gas Law of 2007. This is while Iraq still administers its oil industry in accordance with a law from the previous regime. 

The official, however, emphasized that Erbil is committed to find a solution to the disputes with Baghdad, for which negotiations will continue until a suitable way out of these differences will be found. 

[6ly410]

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar stated on Saturday that 80 percent of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) oil contracts are good and have no problems. 

“We have problems with only 20 percent of the KRG oil contracts we want to review,” Abdul-Jabbar told local media. “The problem between Baghdad and Erbil is the mistrust between the two sides.”

The senior official said that his ministry has already proposed a roadmap for solving the issue of the Kurdistan Region’s oil portfolio within the frame of the Iraqi constitution and in line with the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court’s decision. 

Abdul-Jabbar expressed optimism with regard to the authorities in the region accepting his ministry’s proposed solution. He underlined that both sides should give up on some of their demands to reach a compromise agreement.  

Abdul-Jabbar emphasized that he informed the KRG delegation of his ministry’s commitment to the three following points as part of the solution: 

To review, amend, and improve the KRG oil contracts. 
To establish Kurdistan Oil Company, based in Erbil but under the federal government’s control.
To have Erbil and Baghdad mutually run the policies of the oil fields developing and oil-exporting.  

“The KRG believes that the Iraqi Federal Supreme Council decision regarding the KRG oil contracts is not a binding decision for them and that they will not abide by it,” said Abdul-Jabbar. “However, we as the Iraqi Minister of Oil have to abide by it.” 

The oil minister pointed out that despite respecting the Federal Supreme Council’s decision, the oil dossier can’t be politicized because oil pertains primarily to the business sector. 

“We must adapt, and the problem needs to be solved,” he added.

The Iraqi Oil Minister on Monday proposed establishing a new oil company headquartered in Erbil to manage the Kurdistan Region's portfolio.

The oil minister called for reviewing the contracts and agreements signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) with oil companies and foreign countries. 

He made the remark at a joint press conference with Khaled Shuwani, the head of the Kurdistan Region's negotiating delegation in Baghdad. 

Read More: Iraqi oil minister calls for establishing new oil company in Erbil

Abdul-Jabbar also called for opening an escrow account in an international bank to deposit the revenues from the KRG's sale and export of crude oil. That account would belong to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance and would be used to arrange payments to the Kurdistan Region if the Iraqi Ministry of Finance did not pass on its warranted funds on time. 

[6ly410]

SULAIMANI — The Iraqi Minister of Oil, Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar, said on Saturday (April 16) there were three things that needed to be resolved regarding the Kurdistan Region’s oil issue with the federal government.

Abdul-Jabbar told Alforat News that first, the Kurdistan Region’s oil contracts need to be reviewed by the Iraqi government, second, a company run by the Iraqi government needs to be established to manage the oil contracts and third, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi government need to manage the oil industry together.

The Iraqi Oil Ministry and a delegation from the KRG met to discuss the Kurdistan Region’s oil and gas sector in Baghdad on April 11. This was the first in a series of meetings between both sides to discuss "practical procedures” following the federal supreme court’s ruling in February on the unconstitutionality of the Kurdistan Region’s oil sector.

The second Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi parliament, Shakhawan Abdullah, said on April 11 the Iraqi government knows it cannot manage the oil sector alone without coordinating with the KRG.

(NRT Digital Media)

[6ly410]

 

[6ly410]

go go HCL

[6ly410]

 

[6ly410]

 

The Ministry of Oil announces readiness to contract with the American company Halliburton to discover gas and oil in the Western Desert

https://iraqakhbar-com.translate.goog/3555134?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Posted 51 seconds ago

q Today Agency

 

News source / Iraq Today Agency

Baghdad - Iraq today:

Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar revealed that the Oil Ministry intends to sign a contract with the American company Halliburton to verify the volume of oil and gas reserves in the country's western desert before entering into negotiations with international companies interested in investing in this region.

Abdul-Jabbar said, "The Ministry of Oil is currently conducting studies and investigations regarding the availability of oil and gas in the Western Desert, before entering into negotiations with Saudi Aramco and the American company Chevron to invest in this sector."

He added: "The Ministry of Oil has preliminary studies indicating that the quantities in this area are low, and Iraqi exploration teams have been sent to verify these studies. In addition, we have a decision to work with the American company Halliburton to drill a number of medium-sized wells," noting that work is underway to activate The contract with the company after the Eid al-Fitr holiday, so that, according to the results of the expected studies, negotiations with Chevron and Saudi Aramco will be resolved.

He stressed that the Ministry of Oil is proceeding with its projects regarding verification of Iraq's gas capabilities in the Western Desert, so that the picture is clear to those interested in investing in this field by Chevron and Aramco, and that the exploration operations by the Iraqi teams are proceeding in parallel with the activation of the contract with the American company Halliburton.

And regarding the negotiations between the federal government and the Kurdistan region on the oil file, Minister Abdul-Jabbar said that the negotiations on resolving the Kurdistan contract crisis in accordance with the Iraqi constitution and the decision of the Federal Supreme Court in Iraq need a mutual concession from the two parties.

He explained that the Ministry of Oil's plan to solve the oil crisis in the region was handed over to the delegation of the regional government last week, and it is based on 3 points: reviewing and legally adapting contracts, addressing bottlenecks, and establishing the Kurdistan Company in Erbil to be the first party to the oil industry in the region.

He added that "50% of the conditions of the Ministry of Oil are agreed upon with the region, and we are determined to go through with these conditions, and that 80% of Kurdistan's oil contracts with international companies are correct, and we are working to solve 20% of them, and time will solve them."

The Minister, through Al-Jabbar, said: "It is possible to resolve the problems between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, and all parties must concede to the demands of others for the benefit of the Iraqi people."

 

 

[6ly410]

April 16, 2022, 10:23 a.m. MDT

 

Iraq’s cabinet may make a decision on reactivating a deal with Halliburton Co. to drill wells in the western gas field in Akkas next month, Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said in a televised interview.

Iraq’s oil ministry has in recent months dispatched two exploration teams to get more clarity on the reserves of oil and gas in the region. The deal with Halliburton will enable the oil ministry to get clear data on the production capacity of the Akkas field and reach a decision after Ramadan, which ends in early May, the minister said.

Talks with Chevron Corp. and Saudi Aramco on investment in the region “will depend on the data we get from the exploration and well-drilling operations,” Abdul Jabbar said in the interview that aired on Al-Forat channel.

If global prices continue at this level, the selling price for Iraqi oil for this month would average $106-$107 a barrel, he added.

The oil ministry is providing 30 million liters of gasoline a day for consumption, which Abdul Jabbar called a “big” number. Work on a new refinery in Karbala has been delayed by Covid-19 but the facility is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2023, he added. The country will continue to import gasoline until 2024.

 

Abdul Jabbar said 80% of the contracts that the Kurdistan Regional Government signed with oil companies are correct and the rest need to be reviewed. The KRG has no problem with 50% of the solutions the federal government offered to resolve the oil issues in Kurdistan.

The region exports 430,000 barrel per day, Jabbar said.

Baghdad has long sought to bring Kurdish production under its control in exchange for funds from the national budget as compensation and a February ruling in Iraq’s top court asserted the central government’s right to the semi-autonomous region’s hydrocarbons.  

[horsesoldier]

I'd go back over there if'n I weren't an older guy now. Just watch your bank account SOAR !!!!!

[6ly410]

ERBIL — The first round of talks between Erbil and Baghdad to address their oil disputes was “positive”, said an official from Iraq’s Oil Ministry. 

A senior delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) visited the Iraqi capital last week where they began the first round of negotiations since the controversial ruling by Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court against KRG’s oil industry. 

Director of Economy Department at the Iraqi Oil Ministry, Hisham Yas, told Kurdistan 24 that his ministry is responsible for the technicality of the issues and the legal and political aspects of the disputes will not be discussed during the meetings. 

“We only discuss the technical issues related to the contracts, transportation, exports, and revenues,” Yas said. “The basis for our negotiations is cooperation, not provocation or political accusation.”

The statement came a day after Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar also expressed optimism for the negotiations, saying his ministry sees 80% of the oil contracts between the KRG and international companies as legitimate and flawless, while only 20% might need revision and amendments. 

He further explained that the political blocs should keep distance from the oil dossier because “oil might be a political good, but it cannot be managed with politics.”

According to the minister, Baghdad has put forward three requests, including revision of oil contracts based on the law, establishment of a new oil company under the control of Iraq to manage Kurdistan’s oil sector, and brining development of oil sector as well as oil pricing under the control of the federal government.

[WheresmyRV?]

Things are finally starting to look good with the HCL but one must ask how much longer are they going to talk and discuss this?