Russia’s largest oil company soon in Baghdad

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A delegation comprised of representatives of Russia’s largest oil company will soon arrive in Baghdad to discuss the renewal of oil contracts with Iraq, the Russian Vremya Novosti newspaper said on Monday. The newspaper quoted Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as envisaging future cooperation with Lukoil company. In 1997, Lukoil signed a huge contract with the Iraqi government to develop al-Qarna oilfield, but was expelled from the country before the 2003 invasion due to differences with the former regime. On Thursday (April 9), Maliki led a high-ranking delegation on an official visit to Moscow as part of a tour that also includes Paris and London. Iraq possesses the third largest oil reserve in the world. SS (P) 1