Iraq-Iranian agreement to lay oil pipeline

[sabra]

Source: Voice of Iraq

Baghdad, May 17, (VOI) - The Iraqi government has agreed with Iran to start laying oil pipeline between the two countries to export Iraqi oil to the neighboring country, the official spokesman for Iraq's Oil Ministry said on Thursday.

"The agreement came during the meeting between Iraqi oil minister Hussein al-Shahrestani and Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Hasan Kazemi Qomi at the minister’s office," Essam Jihad told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

"The two agreed to lay the oil pipeline from southern Iraq to Abadan region in Iran in order to export more than 200,000 barrels per day of Iraqi crude oil to Iran according to crude oil international prices," he also said.

He noted that the new pipeline will provide a new way to boost the country's export capacity to Iranian refineries in Abadan.
"They also agreed to arrange a mutual visit for technicians from both countries to prepare the agreement's contracts," the official added.

Read more: http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=44416&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

---

more:

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news/2007-05-17/kurd1.htm

Iran to build four refineries in southern Iraq

Azzaman, May 17, 2007

Prime Miniter Nour al-Maliki has given Iran preferential treatment in winning contracts in southern Iraq.

The move signals the growing influence Tehran exercises in the country particularly in southern provinces where Iraq’s largest and most prolific oil fields are situated.

Maliki is reported to have officially invited Iranian firms to construct four refineries in the area which recently has been the scene of sporadic fighting between Shiite militias – which are generally pro-Tehran – and U.S. and Iraqi troops.

The Iranian firms are to make their offers to build these refineries.

[iconoclastic cat]

1. Rightwing freakout in 4...3...nt

[earth mom]

10. Kapow!

:nuke:

[earthboundmisfit]

2. This is may whack out Cheney's pacemaker!

Crashcart most especially won't be happy with this development -I'm sure the snarl is worse than usual with this news!

[Kikosexy2]

8. Does Darth Dicky...

know about this?...I await the Big Dick snarl, snarl, snarl!...Or maybe he'll have the pipeline rerouted to Dubai...

[whistle]

3. George Dubya Bush ought to be really pleased by this move by Iraq/Iran

:sarcasm: I can see those bombs dropping now!

[rodeodance]

4. so, this is only in foreign newspapers at the moment--it seems.

[leftwingnut]

5. This agreement could De-stabilize the entire region!!!

we need to start bombing Iran! :nuke:

[cyberpj]

6. K&R - to the front page with this one. Saudi's will explode over this. nt

[Theduckno2]

7. I wonder if there are other players behind the scenes.

It is my understanding, correct me if I am wrong, that Iran has a somewhat limited refining capacity relative to its internal needs. Therefore I find it curious that in the face of its own domestic economic concerns it would choose to build refineries in Iraq.

Is it possible that this endeavor would have the financial backing of say, the Russians or the Chinese?

[treestar]

9. Fascinating. Imagine going from a state of war to a state of

cooperation - thought impossible by * standards. But we can't let them do that! They will ruin our way of life! WMD!

[sutz12]

11. No wonder they're going on vacation...

When this breaks, they're going to need protection. Time to hunker down in the bunkers.

[snappyturtle]

12. Bush is busy with his poodle....let's see what happens when

he hears of this! Is this an act of treason? :popcorn:

[ohio2007]

13. Must be the Haliburten partner company they sold out to in Iran

in order to wipe the slate clean of any illegal buisness ventures in Iran ;)

[European Socialist]

14. Good--Now Iran can have our crappy peace keeping job--if we are smart.