Iraq Seeks to Expand in Gas Investment, Renewable Energy Production

A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/Files
A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/Files
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Iraq Seeks to Expand in Gas Investment, Renewable Energy Production

A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/Files
A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/Files

Iraq’s Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar announced Saturday that Iraq would rely on green energy to invest in gas and produce renewable energy.

During his participation at a workshop organized by the International Energy Organization (IEA), the Minister stressed the government and ministry’s keenness on supporting clean energy projects.

This support is represented by implementing prime projects in associated gas investment, reducing oil hydrocarbon emissions and increasing projects of electricity production via alternative energy.

Abdul Jabbar stated that Iraq has taken practical steps to guarantee a gradual shift towards green and renewable energy.

Iraq adopted a clear strategy by contracting with international companies specialized in this field in Basra, Maysan and Dhi Qar, he noted, adding that Iraq established the Basra Gas Company.

The Iraqi minister went on saying that the country signed an agreement with Total. This agreement consists of a series of investment projects in associated gas.

The ministry is meanwhile carrying out other projects. The investment of up to 2,600 million standard cubic feet daily also falls under the Ministry of Oil plans to invest in associated gas from the southern provinces’ fields.

Another key interest of Iraq is to add 12 kilowatts to the national electricity system through the use of alternative energy, the minister continued.

This would be accomplished by contracting with leading international firms operating in this sector and seeking to switch to the use of gas instead of heavy fuels.



TotalEnergies Reportedly Considers Foray Into Copper Trading

FILED - 21 January 2022, Berlin: The logo of the energy company TotalEnergies is pictured at one of its gas stations in Berlin. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa
FILED - 21 January 2022, Berlin: The logo of the energy company TotalEnergies is pictured at one of its gas stations in Berlin. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa
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TotalEnergies Reportedly Considers Foray Into Copper Trading

FILED - 21 January 2022, Berlin: The logo of the energy company TotalEnergies is pictured at one of its gas stations in Berlin. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa
FILED - 21 January 2022, Berlin: The logo of the energy company TotalEnergies is pictured at one of its gas stations in Berlin. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa

France's TotalEnergies is considering a move into trading copper, expanding its oil trading operations into metals to capitalize on the global energy transition, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
The oil major has been "studying the case" for trading copper, Rahim Azouni, senior vice president of crude, fuel and derivatives trading, told a closed-door conference in London on Wednesday, the FT said.
Azouni said the company has not decided whether to make move, the newspaper said, citing people who had heard his remarks.
TotalEnergies did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.
The company would be following Vitol, the world's top energy trader, which this year diversified into metals trading.
The energy transition, which includes electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, will need large volumes of metals including aluminium, copper, nickel cobalt - providing lucrative opportunities for traders.