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Iraq Seeking Optimal Investments in Oil, Gas

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani addressing a joint press conference with the Iranian president after their meeting in Tehran on November 6, 2023. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani addressing a joint press conference with the Iranian president after their meeting in Tehran on November 6, 2023. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)
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Iraq Seeking Optimal Investments in Oil, Gas

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani addressing a joint press conference with the Iranian president after their meeting in Tehran on November 6, 2023. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani addressing a joint press conference with the Iranian president after their meeting in Tehran on November 6, 2023. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani stressed on Sunday the importance of utilizing crude oil prices in the global market in increasing financial allocations through optimal oil and gas investments.

During a meeting with Oil Ministry officials, Sudani underscored the need to advance the vital oil sector in all its aspects due to its importance to the state’s development.

Oil represents the primary source of income for Iraq, he remarked, adding that the government is working to develop the sector, as well as the chemical, petrochemical, and fertilizer industries and the electricity sector.

According to a statement by the Iraqi government, Sudani was briefed on the discussions between the Ministry of Oil and the Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to complete the procedures required to resume crude oil exports through the Turkish port of Ceyhan.

He reviewed the implementation of the Ministry’s plans to develop the oil sector in Iraq and projects related to oil and gas extraction, refineries, and exports.

The meeting also tackled investment opportunities announced by the Oil Ministry in 2023.

Meanwhile, a prominent Iraqi official said on Sunday that Iraq has made great strides to expand investment in the gas sector and stop burning operations.

Speaking at the Gas Investment Conference, South Gas Company Director General Hamza Abdul-Baqi Nassir said Iraq is investing in gas from oil fields to meet domestic consumption demands and is considering exporting the surplus to global markets.

The Ministry of Oil has made great efforts to activate licensing contracts with foreign companies to reach a production of 1,000 million standard cubic feet to secure the requirements for energy production and stop gas-burning operations to reduce environmental risks.

Iraq is working to establish a company to absorb all the gases produced, aside from cooperation with the French company Total, he said, adding that it would push towards boosting the capabilities of oil fields and developing alternative energy programs.

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Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
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Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil prices were up slightly on Friday on stronger-than-expected US economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world's largest energy consumer.

But concerns about soft economic conditions in Asia's biggest economies, China and Japan, capped gains.

Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel, Reuters reported.

In the second quarter, the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised rate of 2.8% as consumers spent more and businesses increased investments, Commerce Department data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted US gross domestic product would grow by 2.0% over the period.

At the same time, inflation pressures eased, which kept intact expectations that the Federal Reserve would move forward with a September interest rate cut. Lower interest rates tend to boost economic activity, which can spur oil demand.

Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.

Core consumer prices in Japan's capital were up 2.2% in July from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, raising market expectations of an interest rate hike in the near term.

But an index that strips away energy costs, seen as a better gauge of underlying price trends, rose at the slowest annual pace in nearly two years, suggesting that price hikes are moderating due to soft consumption.

China, the world's biggest crude importer, surprised markets for a second time this week by conducting an unscheduled lending operation on Thursday at steeply lower rates, suggesting authorities are trying to provide heavier monetary stimulus to prop up the economy.