Iraqi oil minister says Lukoil, BP keen to stay in Iraq, contradicting earlier statements
The oil ministry’s page on Facebook showed him on Saturday saying that both companies were considering halting operations in Iraq
BAGHDAD: Lukoil and BP Plc are keen to keep operating in Iraq, Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said on Sunday, contradicting earlier statements he made about their intentions to leave the energy-rich country.
“We have good relations with BP and we managed to pay all debts to the company,” he told a news briefing in Baghdad, repeating similar comments about Moscow-based Lukoil. “BP is keen to keep operating in Iraq and implement key energy projects in future.”
The oil ministry’s page on Facebook showed him on Saturday saying that both companies were considering halting operations in Iraq because the investment climate was unsuitable. (Reporting Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Alex Richardson)
