EXXONMOBIL is quietly mobilising in Erbil, the first oil major to consider a move into Kurdistan despite objections from the central government in Baghdad, Reuters reported.
The US supermajor has not commented publicly on the agreement and Iraqi oil officials say the company has not responded to their requests for an explanation since the move was disclosed in November.
“They (Exxon) are definitely here and they are definitely assessing living and working accommodation,” a Western industry source in Erbil told the newswire.
“There are around 10 individuals here at any one time looking at what it takes to fully mobilise here - office space, housing space, these types of things. No oil company comes in in a day,” Reuters quoted the source.
Exxon executives met the region’s Natural Resources Minister Ashti Hawrami last week, according to the report, citing plans to issue a tender for seismic work for its acquired blocks.
KRG’s Hawrami said earlier there are no obstacles to it proceeding after sealing a deal on October 18. He also told Reuters this month the KRG was in talks with other oil majors and he expected further agreements to be signed in the next few months.
The deal heightened tensions between Baghdad and Erbil, which have long-running disputes over oil and land, as US troops pulled out of Iraq. Territories disputed by the Kurds and the Arab-led government in Baghdad are considered a potential flashpoint in Iraq.
Oil and Gas News | Middle East
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