Iraq: 2 new refinery deals close

BAGHDAD -- Iraq's Oil Ministry said Thursday that it is close to signing contracts to build two new oil refineries in southern Iraq. The ministry is expected to sign one contract for a 300,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Nasiriyah province by the end of July or early August, a senior oil official said. The official said the ministry was studying proposals presented by international companies to build another 150,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Karbala. The official, who declined to name the companies, spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to make statements. "There is no doubt that we will offer these contracts to well-known international companies in this field," the official said. He said the refineries would meet increasing need for oil products in central and southern Iraq and lead to a reduction in... [read full story]