Iraq Suggests Gas, Petrochemical Projects to Saudi Firms

Men work for Iraqi Drilling Company at Rumaila oilfield in Basra, Iraq, May 11, 2017. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo
Men work for Iraqi Drilling Company at Rumaila oilfield in Basra, Iraq, May 11, 2017. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo
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Iraq Suggests Gas, Petrochemical Projects to Saudi Firms

Men work for Iraqi Drilling Company at Rumaila oilfield in Basra, Iraq, May 11, 2017. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo
Men work for Iraqi Drilling Company at Rumaila oilfield in Basra, Iraq, May 11, 2017. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo

Dr. Hamid al-Zawbai, Deputy Minister of Oil for Gas Affairs, has affirmed that a list of investments in the petrochemicals and oil fields were suggested before Saudi investors.

Discussions are ongoing with Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) and Saudi Aramco on Nebras petrochemical complex and Akkas gas field, whose daily output is 300 million cubic feet.

Zawbai statements were made on the sidelines of a forum held by Saudi Exports Development Authority and Saudi-Iraqi Trade Mission on Tuesday in Khobar, where 35 Saudi institutions from the oil and gas sector took part as well as heads of four Iraqi oil firms.

He underpinned coordination with SABIC in Nebras, with investments ranging between USD6b to USD8b, revealing SABIC's interested in it. Zawbai stressed the importance of SABIC being part of this project with the Iraqi government besides Shell Oil Company.

In the same context, the Iraqi official highlighted that talks are ongoing with Aramco in the field of developing exploratory gas fields such as the Akkas gas field.

The Saudi-Iraqi Joint Coordination Council (SICC) has taken significant steps in developing Saudi-Iraqi ties, he noted, namely steps regarding investment in oil and gas.

The deputy minister stated that the work is underway to suggest investment in the sector of gas and oil in Iraq before Saudi companies.

Zawbai assured Saudi investors willing to enter the Iraqi market that the security condition is stable.



Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices rose over 1% to hit a two-week peak on Friday, heading for the best weekly performance in more than a year, buoyed by safe-haven demand as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified.

Spot gold jumped 1.3% to $2,703.05 per ounce as of 1245 GMT, hitting its highest since Nov. 8. US gold futures gained 1.1% to $2,705.30.

Bullion rose despite the US dollar hitting a 13-month high, while bitcoin hit a record peak and neared the $100,000 level.

"With both gold and USD (US dollar) rising, it seems that safe-haven demand is lifting both assets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Ukraine's military said its drones struck four oil refineries, radar stations and other military installations in Russia, Reuters reported.

Gold has gained over 5% so far this week, its best weekly performance since October 2023. Prices have gained around $173 after slipping to a two-month low last week.

"We understand that the price setback has been used by 'Western world' investors under-allocated to gold to build exposure considering the geopolitical risks that are still around. So we continue to expect gold to rise further over the coming months," Staunovo said.

Bullion tends to shine during geopolitical tensions, economic risks, and a low interest rate environment. Markets are pricing in a 59.4% chance of a 25-basis-points cut at the Fed's December meeting, per the CME Fedwatch tool.

However, "if Fed skips or pauses its rate cut in December, that will be negative for gold prices and we could see some pullback," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ.

The Chicago Federal Reserve president reiterated his support for further US interest rate cuts on Thursday.

On Friday, spot silver rose 1.8% to $31.34 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $960.13 and palladium fell 0.6% to $1,023.55. All three metals were on track for a weekly rise.