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24/07/2012 17:09
ERBIL, July 24 (AKnews)- Iraqi government has blacklisted the US Chevron Corp and barred it from signing deals with Iraqi Ministry of Oil, a statement by the Ministry said.
The statement said the decision was made after the corporation announced on July 19 it has purchased 80% of stakes in Sarta and Rovi blocks of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region from India's Reliance Industries Ltd. Austria's OMV AG holds the rest-20%.
The statement said the Corp, second largest US oil company after Exxon Mobil Corp, has signed the deal without the approval of the Ministry.
It added the corporation signed the deal with Kurdistan natural Resources Ministry despite its knowledge that Baghdad recognizes Kurdistan’s oil deals “illegal and unconstitutional.
The statement further renewed accusations of oil smuggling by the Kurdistan Region to Iran and Turkey and slammed Chevron Corp for “defaming” itself.
"The reputation and credibility of Chevron and other companies are being tested today and we are fully confident the result of its test is a total failure and it should feel ashamed of its action," the statement said.
The subject of Kurdistan oil deals and revenues has become very sensitive.
The Kurdish officials claim by virtue of constitution the regions are entitled to sign deals independently of Baghdad. Baghdad officials on the other hand are keen on a centralized control over oil.
Baghdad has always been critical of Kurdistan oil contracts and accused Kurdistan officials of smuggling oil and not being transparent about the oil revenues. Kurdish officials also accuse Baghdad of smuggling oil to Israel.
By Mohammed Abdul-Rahman
LL/AKnews
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ERBIL, July 24 (AKnews)- Iraqi government has blacklisted the US Chevron Corp and barred it from signing deals with Iraqi Ministry of Oil, a statement by the Ministry said.
The statement said the decision was made after the corporation announced on July 19 it has purchased 80% of stakes in Sarta and Rovi blocks of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region from India's Reliance Industries Ltd. Austria's OMV AG holds the rest-20%.
The statement said the Corp, second largest US oil company after Exxon Mobil Corp, has signed the deal without the approval of the Ministry.
It added the corporation signed the deal with Kurdistan natural Resources Ministry despite its knowledge that Baghdad recognizes Kurdistan’s oil deals “illegal and unconstitutional.
The statement further renewed accusations of oil smuggling by the Kurdistan Region to Iran and Turkey and slammed Chevron Corp for “defaming” itself.
"The reputation and credibility of Chevron and other companies are being tested today and we are fully confident the result of its test is a total failure and it should feel ashamed of its action," the statement said.
The subject of Kurdistan oil deals and revenues has become very sensitive.
The Kurdish officials claim by virtue of constitution the regions are entitled to sign deals independently of Baghdad. Baghdad officials on the other hand are keen on a centralized control over oil.
Baghdad has always been critical of Kurdistan oil contracts and accused Kurdistan officials of smuggling oil and not being transparent about the oil revenues. Kurdish officials also accuse Baghdad of smuggling oil to Israel.
By Mohammed Abdul-Rahman
LL/AKnews
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
