The Iraqi Oil Ministry said in a statement today that it has invited international companies to participate in a licensing round to develop 13 oil and gas fields and blocks in the northern, central and southern governorates.
And Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani said last March that his country would offer a package of oil licenses in more than 10 exploration areas in the country’s west, most of which are for gas production.
He referred to plans for large investments in the oil sector in the next 5 years, if implemented, Iraq may stop importing gas from Iran.
“We hope to stop importing petroleum products by the end of this year because we import nearly half of our gasoline needs,” he added.