Exxon Mobil, BP Face Off In Iraq-Kurd Oil Conflict -- Christian Science Monitor

Exxon Mobil, BP Face Off In Iraq-Kurd Oil Conflict -- Christian Science Monitor

BP and Exxon Mobil have taken opposite sides in the escalating conflict over oil between the Iraqi central government and the Iraqi Kurds, Alic writes.

BP Plc (NYSE: BP) and Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) are caught on opposite sides of the front line of the oil war between the Iraqi central government and the Iraqi Kurds, with Baghdad talks with BP over a deal in disputed Kirkuk and warns Exxon about working with the Kurds.

On 28 January, the Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Kareem al-Luaibi again threatened to cancel Exxon’s contract in the massive West Qurna-1 oil field in southern Iraq if it refuses to stop dealing separately with the Kurds in Northern Iraq.

“We can’t allow Exxon to step over the constitution. It can’t continue to work in both places at the same time; they have to choose to work either in Iraq or in Kurdistan. We are waiting for a final answer in the coming few days,” the minister said in a statement.

Read more ....http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0130/Exxon-Mobil-BP-face-off-in-Iraq-Kurd-oil-conflict