Shafaq News- Washington/Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister AliAl-Zaidi on Thursday called on US energy giant Chevron to expand itsinvestments in Iraq and speed up new projects as part of Baghdad’s strategy toincrease crude oil production and diversify export routes.
According to the PM mediaoffice, Al-Zaidi pledged government support for refineries, petrochemicalindustries, and gas production facilities during talks with Chevron Chairmanand CEO Mike Nelson and the company’s board at its Washington headquarters.
Nelson expressed Chevron’sinterest in broadening its presence in Iraq through investments in southern oilfields, pipelines linking production sites to regional ports, and storagefacilities.
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Iraq aims to increase crudeoil production to 7 million barrels per day within three years, up from thecurrent 4.2–4.5 million bpd, Al-Zaidi said in late June.
The meeting with Chevronpreceded Friday’s signing in Washington of “the largest package of agreementsand memorandums of understanding” in the history of US-Iraq relations, whichcovers energy, investment, the economy, technology, education, healthcare,security, infrastructure, and private sector development, while opening theIraqi market to major US companies, according to an informed government source.
Al-Zaidi arrived in the UScapital on Monday for a seven-day official visit, leading a high-leveldelegation of ministers, senior officials, investors, and business leaders.
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