By Mohammad Al-Ghazi
BAGHDAD, May 16 (KUNA) -- Giant oil firms have shown interest in clenching promising investment opportunities in Iraq's energy sector, Iraqi official said on Friday.
Wood Mackenzie, Shell, Crescent Petroleum and British Petroleum (BP) indicated common desire to explore for new oil and gas fields, develop Umm Qasr Harbor and launch a world-class gas city in Basra, south Iraq.
Chief executives and representatives of the companies have met Chairman of Iraqi National Investment Authority (NIA) Ahmed Redha during the latter's recent visit to London, NIA spokesperson Gina Al-Amo told KUNA here.
During the meeting Redha explained the new investment-friendly legislations adopted by the Iraqi government, she said.
Shell Group top commercial advisor Ajay V. Sing told Redha his group sought long-term partnership with Iraq to develop the oil and gas industries and explore new oil and gas fields in Iraq.
Wood Mackenzie CEO David Morris voiced readiness of his company to help investors tap the promising energy market in Iraq through its strategic consultancies and commercial analyses based on its three-decade experience in the energy sector.
Meanwhile, Crescent Petroleum showed desire to develop three projects namely Ratmai oil-field which has projected daily capacity of 250,000 barrels, the modernization of Umm Qasr Harbor, and the launching of Amar and Helal Training Center.
BP plans to send a delegation to Baghdad to explore with the Iraqi side the prospects of investments in the oil-rich country, Amo added.
Copyright Kuwait News Agency 2008.
