ID :
69657
Thu, 07/09/2009 - 22:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/69657
The shortlink copeid
Japan aims to benefit from Iraqi oil field development+
TOKYO, July 9 Kyodo - The Japanese government stepped up its effort to benefit from Iraq's attempt to attract foreign investment to its oil sector as the energy ministers of the two countries met Thursday in Tokyo.
Visiting Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani called for more investments
by Japanese firms, while Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister
Toshihiro Nikai said Tokyo is considering sending an economic mission to Iraq,
government officials said after the meeting.
The ministerial talks came as speculation is growing that the Japanese
government has moved to support a bid by some Japanese companies to develop one
of the oil fields in Iraq.
A group of Japanese firms led by Nippon Oil Corp., the nation's largest oil
wholesaler, negotiates with the Iraqi government to obtain the right to drill
an oil field in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.
The Japanese officials did not elaborate on whether the ministers have
exchanged opinions on the issue.
Iraq, which has the world's third-largest proven crude oil reserves, is trying
to attract foreign investment in a process seen as crucial to the future of the
war-torn country.
Last month, a consortium led by BP plc of Britain and China National Petroleum
Corp. won a contract to develop Iraq's Rumalia field, agreeing to Baghdad's
terms, but other fields failed to attract bids that could meet the conditions.
As for the Nasiriyah field, Iraq has not conducted bidding, allowing the
Japanese alliance and Italian energy firm Eni S.p.A. to directly negotiate with
the Iraqi government. The Japanese alliance also involves oil explorer Inpex
Corp. and engineering firm JGC Corp.
Upon his arrival in Japan on Thursday, Shahristani reportedly told reporters
that the Iraqi government will make a certain decision on the issue in two to
three weeks.
''I have no comment on any individual issue involving private-sector firms,''
Harufumi Mochizuki, Japan's vice industry minister, said earlier in the day.
But he added, ''We're now in a very important stage,'' referring to the
Japanese government's long-held goal of securing a stable oil supply.
==Kyodo
Visiting Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani called for more investments
by Japanese firms, while Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister
Toshihiro Nikai said Tokyo is considering sending an economic mission to Iraq,
government officials said after the meeting.
The ministerial talks came as speculation is growing that the Japanese
government has moved to support a bid by some Japanese companies to develop one
of the oil fields in Iraq.
A group of Japanese firms led by Nippon Oil Corp., the nation's largest oil
wholesaler, negotiates with the Iraqi government to obtain the right to drill
an oil field in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.
The Japanese officials did not elaborate on whether the ministers have
exchanged opinions on the issue.
Iraq, which has the world's third-largest proven crude oil reserves, is trying
to attract foreign investment in a process seen as crucial to the future of the
war-torn country.
Last month, a consortium led by BP plc of Britain and China National Petroleum
Corp. won a contract to develop Iraq's Rumalia field, agreeing to Baghdad's
terms, but other fields failed to attract bids that could meet the conditions.
As for the Nasiriyah field, Iraq has not conducted bidding, allowing the
Japanese alliance and Italian energy firm Eni S.p.A. to directly negotiate with
the Iraqi government. The Japanese alliance also involves oil explorer Inpex
Corp. and engineering firm JGC Corp.
Upon his arrival in Japan on Thursday, Shahristani reportedly told reporters
that the Iraqi government will make a certain decision on the issue in two to
three weeks.
''I have no comment on any individual issue involving private-sector firms,''
Harufumi Mochizuki, Japan's vice industry minister, said earlier in the day.
But he added, ''We're now in a very important stage,'' referring to the
Japanese government's long-held goal of securing a stable oil supply.
==Kyodo
