Oil Controversy: Iraq gives ultimatum to ExxonMobil

Iraq demanded ExxonMobil to choose between Iraq contract and one signed with Kurdistan government.

BAGHDAD: Iraq demanded on Saturday that oil giant ExxonMobil choose between a new contract it has signed with the Kurdistan regional government and its existing contract for the huge West Qurna-1 field in the south. “We categorically deny the reports carried by some media that the deputy prime minister for energy affairs, Hussein al-Shahristani has agreed that a US firm working in the south of Iraq can sign exploration contracts with Kurdistan,” said a statement released by Shahristani’s office. “The Iraqi government will deal with any company that breaks the laws in the same way that it has in past and ExxonMobil has been notified of this,” the statement said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2011.