Iraqi Kurdistan: Chevron in Talks, Shell Walks

Chevron Corp. is reportedly in talks with the Kurdish government to begin exploration activity in the region.

Kurdish Regional Government’s (KRG) natural resources minister Ashti Awrami said that his government was in talks with 3 major oil companies to begin exploration in the region which is said to hold 45 billion barrels of oil and 100 – 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Exxon Mobil recently signed a deal to explore six blocks in the region. The third oil major interested in entering the region is said to be Italy's Eni.

These moves have drawn sharp criticism from the Iraqi government which has challenged the legality of such contracts.

Royal Dutch Shell has reportedly withdrawn from discussion with the KRG in favour of its deal with the Iraqi goverment for the development of southern gas fields.