BAGHDAD- Iraq will ask foreign oil companies operating in the country to build housing for Iraqis employed on their projects, the oil ministry in Baghdad said in a statement on Wednesday.
Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi "issued a general notice which commits contracted companies to build modern housing compounds and provide essential services to employees," the statement said.
ExxonMobil , Lukoil , Gazprom , ENI , Royal Dutch Shell , Total , BP , PetroChina and Petronas are among the companies operating in Iraq, and the latest decision could significantly increase their costs.
Iraq is the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries' second-largest oil producer after Saudi Arabia, with an output of 4.4 million barrels of crude per day.
(Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Mark Potter and David Evans) ((maher.chmaytelli@thomsonreuters.com; +9647901917030;))
Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi "issued a general notice which commits contracted companies to build modern housing compounds and provide essential services to employees," the statement said.
ExxonMobil , Lukoil , Gazprom , ENI , Royal Dutch Shell , Total , BP , PetroChina and Petronas are among the companies operating in Iraq, and the latest decision could significantly increase their costs.
Iraq is the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries' second-largest oil producer after Saudi Arabia, with an output of 4.4 million barrels of crude per day.
(Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Mark Potter and David Evans) ((maher.chmaytelli@thomsonreuters.com; +9647901917030;))
