Iraq oil cooperation continues to grow stronger through recent high-level talks with Russia. Iraq’s Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul Ghani, led a key meeting in Baghdad with Russian Ambassador Elbrus Kutrashev and senior executives from Lukoil, a major Russian energy company.
The meeting focused on deepening collaboration in the oil, gas, and energy industries. Both sides emphasized their strong interest in boosting joint projects and increasing coordination between their countries’ energy sectors.
Bassem Mohammed Khudair, Iraq’s Undersecretary for Extraction Affairs, and Bassem Tahir, Director General of the Petroleum Contracts and Licensing Directorate, also attended the meeting. Their participation highlighted Iraq’s commitment to strengthening its partnerships with international energy companies.
During the meeting, Iraq stressed its need to attract more investments in oil exploration and production. Officials underlined the importance of working with global companies like Lukoil to develop Iraq’s vast oil and gas reserves.
In turn, the Russian delegation expressed strong interest in expanding its operations in Iraq. Lukoil already plays a significant role in Iraq’s energy market, particularly in oil field development. The company signaled readiness to increase its investments and take on new projects.
Moreover, the two sides reviewed the progress of existing ventures in Iraq oil. They discussed challenges facing current projects and explored solutions to improve performance and efficiency. These talks aimed to ensure smooth project implementation and long-term cooperation.
Officials also addressed plans to expand cooperation in the natural gas sector. Iraq has prioritized natural gas development to reduce its reliance on imported energy. Russia, with its vast gas expertise, could become an important partner in this area.
Furthermore, the meeting explored technical training and knowledge sharing. Iraq showed interest in building local capacities through joint programs and specialized workshops.
Iraq oil remains a cornerstone of the country’s strategy to boost production and attract foreign investment. Strong partnerships with companies like Lukoil help Iraq advance its long-term energy goals.
In conclusion, the recent talks in Baghdad demonstrated serious efforts to expand the oil cooperation of Iraq with Russia. Both sides agreed to continue dialogue and work toward new agreements in the near future.
