By John Lee. A French company is planning to build a replica of the Eiffel Tower in Sulaymaniyah. But according to reports from Zawya, the structure will be a mere three storeys high. The project will include shops selling French products, and will feature laser lights showing the flags of Kurdistan and France. The name […]
Technip, in partnership with China HuanQiu Contracting & Engineering Corporation (HQC), has been awarded a front-end engineering design (FEED) contract for the Ar Ratawi Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) train1 project at North Rumaila in Basra. The deal was awarded by the Basra Gas Company (BGC), a joint venture between the Iraq's South Gas Company (51%), […]
LUKOIL has started a 2D seismic survey at Block 10 in the south of Iraq. 2000 linear kilometers of seismic surveys will be completed by the BGP Inc. geophysical company within 16 months. The Mandatory Geologic Exploration Program at Block 10 is scheduled to take five years with a potential 2-year extension and includes drilling […]
By John Lee. Iraqi oil minister Abdul Kareem al-Luaibi [Elaibi] (pictured) has said that parliament set up a high-level delegation several days ago to resolve the oil export dispute between Baghdad and Erbil, and he expects a deal to be reached within days. According to Reuters, Ankara is awaiting Iraq's blessing before allowing exports to […]
By John Lee. The Government of Iraq has reportedly renewed its one-year $960,000 PR contract with Podesta Group to "promote a better understanding with the US of its priorities and concerns". The work, which runs through 2014, is designed to “further the purposes of the Strategic Framework Agreement” and facilitate a dialog with the American […]
It is surely significant for global oil supplies that within the past two weeks, two of the largest Iraqi oil fields have started production: Lukoil commenced pumping at West Qurna 2 at the end of March, while Shell exported its first crude from Majnoon this week. As a result, oil production is set to rise […]
By John Lee. Czech aviation company Aero Vodochody has reportedly agreed to sell 12 L-159 subsonic fighter jets to Iraq, but the package must still be approved by the governments of both countries. Martin Danko, the broker for the deal, refused to reveal the price. According to Associated Press, Iraq had initially agreed to buy […]
By John Lee. Bloomberg reports that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is investigating allegations of improper conduct in Iraq. The company said: “These allegations relate to a small number of individuals. However, we are investigating whether there has been any improper conduct. We have zero tolerance for unethical or illegal behavior.” The Wall Street Journal reported that Glaxo […]
By John Lee. The United Kingdom Budget announced on 19th March included a tripling of Chevening places in developing countries for the 2015-16 academic year. Chevening Scholarships are the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s flagship global scholarship programme aimed at future leaders, influencers and decision-makers. An FCO spokesperson said: "Chevening Scholarships are an important element in […]
By John Lee. North America Western Asia Holdings (NAWAH), U.S. Steel Tubular Products, a subsidiary of United States Steel Corporation, and MRC Global Inc. have announced an alliance to bring critical oil well equipment into the natural resources-rich region of southern Iraq. The consortium will serve an international lineup of leading oil and gas companies […]
By John Lee. Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) announced today that it has priced a debt offering of US$250 million. The privately placed debt securities, offered in accordance with Reg S/144A to institutional investors in Europe, the US and Asia, consists of three-year senior unsecured notes carrying a coupon of 13% per annum and freely tradeable […]
By John Lee. Yum! Brands has announced the opening of the first Pizza Hut in Iraq with franchise partner, Al Kout Food Company. The new restaurant in the popular Majidi Mall in Erbil features "a full casual dine-in experience for Iraqi consumers with a vibrant, youthful design and seating for 120 people. The menu is […]
