01-08-04

The Iraqi Oil Ministry is seeking to make contracts with Jordan in the realm of petroleum cooperation and exportation of oil products, a ministry spokesman said. The spokesman, Assem Jihad, indicated in remarks that the aspired contracts would serve the policy of the new leadership on diversifying the exportation exits and expanding the exports.

Iraq recently exports oil through southern and northern exits, he said, adding that the authorities were seeking to export oil to neighbouring Jordan and Iran.

The oil ministry forecasts that the oil exports, next year, will soar to 3.5 mm bpd. Jihad also said that the technical committees, involving representatives of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, were working to expand the cooperation in the domain of the exportation of the oil derivatives, in addition to pondering the prospect of using Kuwaiti ports for the crude exports to the international market.

He also indicated at the possibility to start exporting gas to Kuwait early next year. Meanwhile, Iraq seeks to build a $ 250 mm domestic network of pipes to provide power stations in the country with gas-fuel, a Ministry of Oil spokesman told.

The type of gas-fuel that will be provided to the stations used to be burned into the atmosphere because there was no use for it, said the spokesman Assem Jihad who described the forthcoming network as the largest project the ministry was undertaking with the assistance of the Oil Pipeline Corporation.

Another project the ministry is contemplating is the construction of 30 massive oil storage tanks or reservoirs at sea and river ports, he said, adding that the storage tanks will facilitate the export of oil and other fuels.

Source: Arab Times