Mar 14 2013 |
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UPDATE 2-Pertamina seeks part of Exxon's stake in Iraqi oilfield
Photo Credit:Reuters/ Sebastien Pirlet
(Adds Iraq export agreement with Indonesia)
By Raheem Salman
BAGHDAD, March 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia's state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina is in talks to buy 10-20 percent of Exxon Mobil's stake in Iraq's West Qurna-1 oilfield, Indonesia's Chief Economic Minister said on Thursday.
The development of the $50 billion West Qurna-1 project has been in question since last year, when Exxon offered to sell its stake after contracts it signed with the autonomous Kurdistan region riled Baghdad, which rejects them as illegal.
Sources have said Exxon is considering selling part of its 60 percent stake in West Qurna-1 to PetroChina
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has offered Exxon sweeter contract terms to keep it operating in the south, on condition that the U.S. oil giant gives up its Kurdish deals, industry sources say.
Thursday's news conference also confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding that Iraq is to supply Indonesia with 35,000 barrels of oil per day.
(Writing by Isabel Coles; Editing by David Goodman)
((isabel.coles@thomsonreuters.com)(+964 790 191 7024)(Reuters Messaging: isabel.coles.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: PERTAMINA IRAQ/
© Copyright Zawya. All Rights Reserved.
UPDATE 1-Pertamina seeks part of Exxon's stake in Iraqi oilfield
(Adds quotes, context)
BAGHDAD, March 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia's state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina is in talks to buy 10-20 percent of Exxon Mobil's stake in Iraq's West Qurna-1 oilfield, Indonesia's Chief Economic Minister said on Thursday.
The development of $50 billion West Qurna-1 project has been in question since last year, when Exxon offered to sell its stake after contracts it signed with the autonomous Kurdistan region riled Baghdad, which rejects them as illegal.
Indonesian minister Hatta Rajasa confirmed that Pertamina is interested in buying into the project. It has begun negotiations for a possible 10 to 20 percent stake, he said at a news conference in Baghdad.
Sources said Exxon have said that the company was considering selling part of its 60 percent stake in West Qurna-1 to PetroChina , the listed arm of China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC).
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is working to keep the U.S. oil giant operating in the south, industry sources say, offering much sweeter terms at West Qurna-1.
Iraq's deputy prime minister for energy, Hussain al-Shahristani, was also present at the conference. "They are the ones who are negotiating: it has nothing to do with us," he said in response to a question about the Pertamina talks.
(Reporting by Raheem Salman; Writing by Isabel Coles; Editing by David Goodman)
((isabel.coles@thomsonreuters.com)(+964 790 191 7024)(Reuters Messaging: isabel.coles.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: PERTAMINA IRAQ/
© Copyright Zawya. All Rights Reserved.
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