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A gas pipeline is seen at the Russian gas compressor station ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:00 GMT

(AFP/File) - A gas pipeline is seen at the Russian gas compressor station in Sudzha near the Russian-Ukrainian border in January 2009. Thawing permafrost caused by global warming is costing Russian energy firms billions of dollars annually in damage control and shrinking Russia's territory, Greenpeace warned in a new study Friday.(AFP/File/Sergei Supinsky)

A pipeline is seen at the Russian gas compressor station in ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:28:29 GMT

(AFP/File) - A pipeline is seen at the Russian gas compressor station in Sudzha near the Russian-Ukrainian border in January 2009. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced late Thursday a compromise deal with Ukraine on the thorny issue of gas supply, lessening the threat of multibillion-dollar fines that might cripple Ukraine's economy.(AFP/File/Sergei Supinsky)

In this photo released by David Rowley, taken Dec. 7, 1993 and ...

(AP) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:09:58 GMT

(AP) - In this photo released by David Rowley, taken Dec. 7, 1993 and made available Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, Feng Xue, right, poses with unidentified people for photos in Yuexi, Anhui Province. Xue was been detained for two years by Chinese police on state secrets charges over the purchase of a commercial database on the oil industry. (AP Photo/David Rowley)

An engineer checks a gas pipeline near the Ukrainian-Romanian ...

(AFP/File) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:35:10 GMT

(AFP/File) - An engineer checks a gas pipeline near the Ukrainian-Romanian border in January 2009. EU and Russian leaders met in Stockholm for a summit dominated by energy issues, as Europe hopes to avoid an interruption of Russian natural gas supplies via Ukraine this winter.(AFP/File/Sergei Supinsky)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) talks with Deputy ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:56:36 GMT

(Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) talks with Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin during a meeting of government officials and oil industry executives in the city of Nizhnekamsk November 17, 2009. Russia's petrochemical industry is too fragmented to become competitive globally so the government will help the consolidation process, Putin said on Tuesday. REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Alexey Druzhinin (RUSSIA POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

Kuwait's Oil Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Sabah, has ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:55:47 GMT

(AFP/File) - Kuwait's Oil Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Sabah, has said that the oil cartel OPEC will leave its production unchanged at its meeting next month, adding that current oil price was "comfortable."(AFP/File/Thomas Coex)

An oil platform located in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil prices advanced ...

(AFP/KERR-MCGEE/File) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:31:48 GMT

(AFP/KERR-MCGEE/File) - An oil platform located in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil prices advanced on Monday, as traders took their cue from the weak dollar and rising global equities, and as OPEC signalled that 75-80 dollars a barrel was a satisfactory level for crude.(AFP/KERR-MCGEE/File)

Seventy-five to 80 dollars a barrel is a satisfactory price ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:19:14 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Seventy-five to 80 dollars a barrel is a satisfactory price for oil, the president of OPEC has said, adding that the cartel may leave production unchanged at its meeting next month.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Scott Olson)

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (right) and Iranian Foreign ...

(AFP) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:03:16 GMT

(AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (right) and Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (left) during a meeting in New Delhi on November 16. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in New Delhi Monday for talks on a stalled trans-national gas pipeline and a possible Indian prime ministerial visit to Iran, officials said.(AFP/Prakash Singh)

A man refuels his taxi in Chicago, Illinois. Seventy-five to ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:43:12 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - A man refuels his taxi in Chicago, Illinois. Seventy-five to 80 dollars a barrel is a satisfactory price for oil, the president of OPEC said Monday, adding that the cartel may leave production unchanged at its meeting next month.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Scott Olson)

OPEC president, Angola's Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos, ...

(AFP/File) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:43:12 GMT

(AFP/File) - OPEC president, Angola's Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos, opens the 154th regular meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna on September 9. Seventy-five to 80 dollars a barrel is a satisfactory price for oil, De Vasconcelos said Monday, adding that the cartel may leave production unchanged at its meeting next month.(AFP/File/Joe Klamar)

A man refuels his Taxi in Chicago, Illinois. Seventy-five to ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:03:44 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - A man refuels his Taxi in Chicago, Illinois. Seventy-five to 80 dollars a barrel is a satisfactory price for oil, the president of OPEC has told reporters.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Scott Olson)

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in New Delhi ...

(AFP/File) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:28:49 GMT

(AFP/File) - Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in New Delhi Monday for talks on a stalled trans-national gas pipeline and a possible Indian prime ministerial visit to Iran, officials said.(AFP/File)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Slovenian ...

(AFP/POOL) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:08:52 GMT

(AFP/POOL) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor during their meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. Slovenia signed an agreement on Saturday for the massive South Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Europe to pass through the country.(AFP/POOL/Alexey Nikolsky)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) and his Slovenian ...

(AFP/POOL) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:08:52 GMT

(AFP/POOL) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) and his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor attend a news conference during their meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. Slovenia signed an agreement on Saturday for the massive South Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Europe to pass through the country.(AFP/POOL/Alexey Nikolsky)

Russia's Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko (bottom R) and Slovenia's ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:30:04 GMT

(Reuters) - Russia's Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko (bottom R) and Slovenia's Economy Minister Matej Lahovnik (bottom L) sign a deal ensuring Slovenia's participation in the South Stream pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe in Moscow November 14, 2009. The deal was signed in front of the reporters and in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (back R) and his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor (back L). REUTERS/Bor Slana (RUSSIA POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

Russia's Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko (bottom R) and Slovenia's ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:28:57 GMT

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) and his Slovenian ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:23:31 GMT

(Reuters) - Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) and his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor speak during a news conference after a deal ensuring Slovenia's participation in the South Stream pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe was signed in Moscow November 14, 2009. REUTERS/Bor Slana (RUSSIA POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor seen during a joint news ...

(AP) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:09:39 GMT

(AP) - Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor seen during a joint news conference with Russian Prime Minsiter Vladimir Putin, unseen, at the Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. Slovenia agreed Saturday to take part in a pipeline project carrying Russian natural gas to Europe, bolstering a Kremlin attempt to defend its position as the continent's primary supplier. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Pool)

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) speaks to his ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:34:38 GMT

(Reuters) - Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) speaks to his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor before the signing of an agreement for the construction of a gas pipeline called South stream in Novo Ogarevo November 14, 2009. REUTERS/Bor Slana (RUSSIA POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS ECONOMY)

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:32:31 GMT

(Reuters) - Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor before the signing of an agreement for the construction of a gas pipeline called South stream in Novo Ogarevo November 14, 2009. REUTERS/Bor Slana (RUSSIA POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS ECONOMY)

A pipeline at a Russian gas compressor station near the border ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:51:38 GMT

(AFP/File) - A pipeline at a Russian gas compressor station near the border with Ukraine. President Dmitry Medvedev has called for Russia's transformation into a democratic, high-tech society but warned that efforts to "destabilise" the country would not be tolerated.(AFP/File/Sergei Supinsky)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gestures during a news ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:16:05 GMT

(AP) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gestures during a news conference in Moscow, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, unseen. Putin on Wednesday sought to strengthen Russia's role as a top energy supplier to Europe by asking Austria to join the South Stream natural gas pipeline project. Russia's South Stream rivals a pipeline project known as Nabucco that has the backing of the European Union and the United States. Nabucco would provide a supply of gas not subject to Russian control.(AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin,, Pool)

Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi (C), Chairman of ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:27:37 GMT

(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi (C), Chairman of China's Sinopec Corp Su Shulin (L) and Governor of Fujian province Huang Xiaojin attend an opening ceremony of a commercial operation of the country's first joint-venture integrated oil refining and petrochemical complex in Quanzhou, Fujian province November 11, 2009. OPEC is still deciding whether to adjust crude output next month, and so far sees a "balanced" market, a senior Gulf source told Reuters on Tuesday in the Chinese city of Fuzhou, on condition of anonymity. Picture taken November 11, 2009. REUTERS/China Daily (CHINA ENERGY SOCIETY BUSINESS) CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA

A motorist pumps gas at the Super Petroleum gas station in Lawrence, ...

(AP) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:47:01 GMT

(AP) - A motorist pumps gas at the Super Petroleum gas station in Lawrence, Mass., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. Oil prices ticked higher Wednesday as OPEC said the world would consume more crude in 2010 than previously expected, and China said its economy improved. Benchmark crude for December delivery added 23 cents to settle at $79.28 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

World oil prices rose on Wednesday as traders digested the latest ...

(AFP/File) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:19:00 GMT

(AFP/File) - World oil prices rose on Wednesday as traders digested the latest demand growth forecasts from the OPEC crude producers' cartel, and awaited this week's snapshot of US energy inventories.(AFP/File/Thomas Coex)

World oil prices rose as traders awaited this week's snapshot ...

(AFP/File) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:01:56 GMT

(AFP/File) - World oil prices rose as traders awaited this week's snapshot of US energy inventories, and digested the latest demand growth forecasts from the OPEC crude producers' cartel.(AFP/File/Thomas Coex)

The largest and most advanced pier in the Middle East at Kuwait's ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:08:42 GMT

(AFP/File) - The largest and most advanced pier in the Middle East at Kuwait's largest refinery of Al-Ahmadi just north of Al-Shuaiba. OPEC member Kuwait is forecast to post a budget surplus of up to 22.3 billion dollars this fiscal year on the back of better than expected oil prices, a local bank said.(AFP/File/Yasser al-Zayyat)

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2009 file photo, workers weld pipes ...

(AP) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:23:34 GMT

(AP) - FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2009 file photo, workers weld pipes during a connection ceremony for a new pipeline between Minsk, Vilniaus, Kaunas and Kaliningrad at Lithuanian Northwest Sakiai, about 200km northwest of Vilnius, Lithuania. Russia's Gazprom saw its earnings halved in the first six months of the year due to lower natural gas prices and sinking demand in Europe, while overall debt jumped nearly a third, the company reported Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. (AP photo/Liusjenas Kulbis, file)

An Iraqi worker operates valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, ...

(AP) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:01:54 GMT

(AP) - An Iraqi worker operates valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, near the city of Basra, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. A 20-year contract signed by Iraq's Oil Ministy and British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, gives the two companies development rights for Rumaila field. Another two oil deals were signed last week, marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jourani)

An Iraqi worker operates valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, ...

(AP) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:01:22 GMT

Iraqi workers operate valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, near ...

(AP) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:46 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi workers operate valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, near the city of Basra, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. A 20-year contract signed by Iraq's Oil Ministy and British oil giant BP PLC and China's CNPC, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, gives the two companies development rights for Rumaila field. Another two oil deals were signed last week, marking a milestone moment in the OPEC nation's push to lure foreign investors sorely needed to revamp its battered oil sector. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jourani)

Iraqi workers operate valves at the Rumaila oil refinery, near ...

(AP) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:36 GMT

An exhibit on climate change in Mexico City?s Papalote children?s ...

(AFPTV) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:10:25 GMT

(AFPTV) - An exhibit on climate change in Mexico City?s Papalote children?s museum aims to raise awareness of global warning in one of the world?s top oil producers. Although Mexico has led global efforts to combat climate change, the issue is still new at home. Duration: 01:40(AFPTV)

File photo shows a security guard in front of the CNOOC global ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:46:11 GMT

(AFP/File) - File photo shows a security guard in front of the CNOOC global headquarters in Beijing. China has dangled a near open cheque book to Africa's major oil producers in a bid to guarantee supplies for decades to come.(AFP/File/Frederic J. Brown)

File photo of a Chinese energy giant CNOOC plant in Daya Bay, ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:02:35 GMT

(AFP/File) - File photo of a Chinese energy giant CNOOC plant in Daya Bay, in southern China. China has dangled a near open cheque book to Africa's major oil producers in a bid to guarantee supplies for decades to come. It has offered 30 billion dollars to Nigeria and is negotiating for stakes in oil fields in Ghana and Angola and companies that exploit the fields throughout Africa.(AFP/File/Laurent Fievet)

OPEC President Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos of Angola (L) ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:41:57 GMT

(Reuters) - OPEC President Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos of Angola (L) talks with Ecuador's President Rafael Correa at Carondelet Palace during his visit, in Quito November 5, 2009. REUTERS/Teddy Garcia (ECUADOR POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS)

OPEC President Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos of Angola (L) ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:40:49 GMT

(Reuters) - OPEC President Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos of Angola (L) greets Ecuador's President Rafael Correa at Carondelet Palace during his visit, in Quito November 5, 2009. REUTERS/Teddy Garcia (ECUADOR POLITICS)

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, right, gestures during a ...

(AP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:08:00 GMT

(AP) - Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, right, gestures during a meeting with the President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos at the Government Palace in Quito, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. Vasconcelos is on a visit to Ecuador to meet local authorities. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, right, shakes hands with ...

(AP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:56:03 GMT

(AP) - Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, right, shakes hands with the President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos at the Government Palace in Quito, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. Vasconcelos is on a visit to Ecuador to meet local authorities. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Map of northern Europe showing the route of the planned Nord ...

(AFP/Graphic) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:52:18 GMT

(AFP/Graphic) - Map of northern Europe showing the route of the planned Nord Stream gas pipeline. After years of procrastination, Sweden and Finland agreed on Thursday to allow the Russian-led Nord Stream pipeline to pass through their waters in the Baltic Sea, a crucial step for the project destined to supply Europe with Russian gas.(AFP/Graphic)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attends the 3rd Russian-Finnish ...

(AFP/RIA/File) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:52:18 GMT

(AFP/RIA/File) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attends the 3rd Russian-Finnish Forest Summit in St. Petersburg, in October 2009. After years of procrastination, Sweden and Finland agreed on Thursday to allow the Russian-led Nord Stream pipeline to pass through their waters in the Baltic Sea, a crucial step for the project destined to supply Europe with Russian gas.(AFP/RIA/File/Aleksey Nikolskyi)

Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures president Richard Vierbuchen looks ...

(AFP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:37:02 GMT

(AFP) - Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures president Richard Vierbuchen looks on during a preliminary signing of an oil agreement in Baghdad. Exxon Mobil became the first US company to win a contract since Iraq's oil industry was nationalised almost 40 years ago, further expanding the role of foreign nations in the industry.(AFP/Sabah Arar)

An Exxon gas station sign. Exxon Mobil became the first US company ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:37:02 GMT

(AFP/File) - An Exxon gas station sign. Exxon Mobil became the first US company to win a contract since Iraq's oil industry was nationalised almost 40 years ago, further expanding the role of foreign nations in the industry.(AFP/File/Karen Bleier)

Oil experts work on an Iraqi oilfield, north of Baghdad. Exxon ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:37:02 GMT

(AFP/File) - Oil experts work on an Iraqi oilfield, north of Baghdad. Exxon Mobil became the first US company to win a contract since Iraq's oil industry was nationalised almost 40 years ago, further expanding the role of foreign nations in the industry.(AFP/File/Karim Sahib)

Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures Ltd.'s president, Richard C. Vierbuchen, ...

(AP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:46:11 GMT

(AP) - Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures Ltd.'s president, Richard C. Vierbuchen, left, speaks beside Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, center, and Senior Deputy Oil Minister for upstream Abdul Karim al-Luaybi, right, during the signing of an oil agreement, in Baghdad Iraq, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. A consortium grouping U.S. and European oil giants Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC won the right to develop one of Iraq's most prized oil fields, Iraq's Oil Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, as the OPEC nation looks to revamp its battered energy sector.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, left, looks on as ...

(AP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:35:34 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, left, looks on as Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures Ltd.'s president Richard C. Vierbuchen, right, and Abdul-Mehdi Al-Amidi, the Deputy Director-General of the Department contracts and permits in the Iraqi oil ministry sign an oil agreement, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. A consortium grouping U.S. and European oil giants Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC won the right to develop one of Iraq's most prized oil fields, Iraq's Oil Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, as the OPEC nation looks to revamp its battered energy sector. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures Ltd.'s president, Richard C. Vierbuchen, ...

(AP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:35:06 GMT

(AP) - Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures Ltd.'s president, Richard C. Vierbuchen, signs an oil agreement, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. A consortium grouping U.S. and European oil giants Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC won the right to develop one of Iraq's most prized oil fields, Iraq's Oil Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, as the OPEC nation looks to revamp its battered energy sector.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures Ltd.'s president, Richard C. Vierbuchen, ...

(AP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:19:59 GMT

(AP) - Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures Ltd.'s president, Richard C. Vierbuchen, right, and Abdul-Mehdi Al-Amidi, the Deputy Director-General of the Department contracts and permits in the Iraqi oil ministry sign an oil agreement, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. A consortium grouping U.S. and European oil giants Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC won the right to develop one of Iraq's most prized oil fields, Iraq's Oil Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, as the OPEC nation looks to revamp its battered energy sector. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures Ltd.'s president, Richard C. Vierbuchen, ...

(AP) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:19:21 GMT

(AP) - Exxon Mobil Upstream Ventures Ltd.'s president, Richard C. Vierbuchen, right,and Abdul-Mehdi Al-Amidi, the Deputy Director-General of the Department contracts and permits in the Iraqi oil ministry sign an oil agreement, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. A consortium grouping U.S. and European oil giants Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC won the right to develop one of Iraq's most prized oil fields, Iraq's Oil Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, as the OPEC nation looks to revamp its battered energy sector. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)