Iraq Oil on Yahoo! News Photos

Workers walk through Al-Shiaaba oil refinery and the pipeline ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:14:43 GMT

(AP) - Workers walk through Al-Shiaaba oil refinery and the pipeline near the southern Iraqi city of Basra, Iraq's second largest city 550 kilometer (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 30, 2009. International oil companies were submitting bids for six oil and two gas fields more than 30 years after Saddam Hussein nationalized the oil sector and expelled foreign firms. (AP Photo/Nabil Al-Jurani)

Iraqi workers operate the valves at the Al-Shiaaba oil refinery ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:14:23 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi workers operate the valves at the Al-Shiaaba oil refinery and the pipeline near the southern Iraqi city of Basra, Iraq's second largest city 550 kilometer (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 30, 2009. International oil companies were submitting bids for six oil and two gas fields more than 30 years after Saddam Hussein nationalized the oil sector and expelled foreign firms. (AP Photo/Nabil Al-Jurani)

A worker operates the valves at the Al-Shiaaba oil refinery ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:12:50 GMT

(AP) - A worker operates the valves at the Al-Shiaaba oil refinery and the pipeline near the southern Iraqi city of Basra, Iraq's second largest city 550 kilometer (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 30, 2009. International oil companies were submitting bids for six oil and two gas fields more than 30 years after Saddam Hussein nationalized the oil sector and expelled foreign firms. (AP Photo/Nabil Al-Jurani)

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (L) speaks with Chinese ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:57:28 GMT

(AFP) - Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (L) speaks with Chinese Ambassador Chang Yi during the unveiling of the names of the foreign firms vying for contracts to develop key Iraqi oil and gas fields, in Baghdad. Foreign energy companies snubbed Iraq by rejecting all but one deal to develop the country's oil and gas sector, in what had been the first such opportunity in nearly four decades.(AFP/Sabah Arar)

Map of Iraq showing oil and gas fields and pipelines covered ...

(AFP/Graphic) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:57:28 GMT

(AFP/Graphic) - Map of Iraq showing oil and gas fields and pipelines covered by the first bidding round. Foreign energy companies snubbed Iraq on Tuesday by rejecting all but one deal to develop the country's oil and gas sector, in what had been the first such opportunity in nearly four decades.(AFP/Graphic)

A general view of an oil refinery in the southern Rumaila area. ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:57:28 GMT

(AFP/File) - A general view of an oil refinery in the southern Rumaila area. Foreign energy companies snubbed Iraq on Tuesday by rejecting all but one deal to develop the country's oil and gas sector, in what had been the first such opportunity in nearly four decades.(AFP/File/Essam al-Sudani)

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani looks over during ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:57:28 GMT

(AFP) - Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani looks over during the bidding process to unveiling of the names of the foreign firms that have won contracts to develop key oil and gas fields in central Baghdad. Foreign energy companies snubbed Iraq on Tuesday by rejecting all but one deal to develop the country's oil and gas sector, in what had been the first such opportunity in nearly four decades.(AFP/Sabah Arar)

An Iraqi policeman provides security at the Al-Shiaaba oil refinery ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:46:48 GMT

(AP) - An Iraqi policeman provides security at the Al-Shiaaba oil refinery and the pipeline near the southern Iraqi city of Basra, Iraq's second largest city 550 kilometer (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 30, 2009. International oil companies were submitting bids for six oil and two gas fields more than 30 years after Saddam Hussein nationalized the oil sector and expelled foreign firms. (AP Photo/Nabil Al-Jurani)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani speaks at a news ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:30:57 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani speaks at a news conference after a bidding round in Baghdad, June 30, 2009. A BP-led group won a deal to develop Iraq's biggest oilfield but had to slash its fee as Baghdad's tough terms put off other investors in the country's first major energy auction since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen (IRAQ CONFLICT ENERGY BUSINESS)

An unidentified representative of an international oil company ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:28:57 GMT

(AP) - An unidentified representative of an international oil company is seen during the licensing round to develop some of Iraq's massive oil fields at a meeting in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 30. 2009. International oil companies were submitting bids for six oil and two gas fields more than 30 years after Saddam Hussein nationalized the oil sector and expelled foreign firms. (AP Photo/Loay Hameed)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani speaks at a press ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:27:25 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani speaks at a press conference after a bidding round in Baghdad, June 30, 2009. A BP-led group won a deal to develop Iraq's biggest oilfield but had to slash its fee as Baghdad's tough terms put off other investors in the country's first major energy auction since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen (IRAQ CONFLICT BUSINESS ENERGY)

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a tender ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:58:44 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a tender for an oil and gas field, in Baghdad June 30, 2009. REUTERS/Iraqi Government /Handout (IRAQ POLITICS ENERGY)

Iraqi Oil Minster Hussein al-Shahristani, center, and Iraqi ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:43:04 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi Oil Minster Hussein al-Shahristani, center, and Iraqi officials are seen during the licensing round to develop some of Iraq's massive oil fields at a meeting in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 30. 2009. International oil companies were submitting bids for six oil and two gas fields more than 30 years after Saddam Hussein nationalized the oil sector and expelled foreign firms. (AP Photo/Photo Loay Hameed)

A representative of a foreign company drops his offer in a box ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:03:15 GMT

(Reuters) - A representative of a foreign company drops his offer in a box during bidding in Baghdad, June 30, 2009. Iraq auctioned contracts to run eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday as it sought to take charge of its own reconstruction after six years of war, but oil companies were reluctant to pay what it asked. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY)

Representatives of foreign companies talk during a bidding round ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:02:01 GMT

(Reuters) - Representatives of foreign companies talk during a bidding round in Baghdad, June 30, 2009. Iraq auctioned contracts to run eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday as it sought to take charge of its own reconstruction after six years of war, but oil companies were reluctant to pay what it asked. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY)

Map of Iraq showing oil and gas fields and pipelines covered ...

(AFP/Graphic) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:43:13 GMT

(AFP/Graphic) - Map of Iraq showing oil and gas fields and pipelines covered by the first bidding round. Energy giant BP and China's CNPC International Ltd have been unveiled as the first foreign firms in decades to win contracts to invest and develop in Iraq's war-battered energy sector.(AFP/Graphic)

General view of an oil refinery in the southern Rumaila area. ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:43:13 GMT

(AFP/File) - General view of an oil refinery in the southern Rumaila area. Energy giant BP and China's CNPC International Ltd have been unveiled as the first foreign firms in decades to win contracts to invest and develop in Iraq's war-battered energy sector.(AFP/File/Essam al-Sudani)

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani gives a speech in ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:43:13 GMT

(AFP) - Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani gives a speech in central Baghdad. British energy giant BP and China's CNPC International Ltd have been unveiled as the first foreign firms in decades to win contracts to invest and develop in Iraq's war-battered energy sector.(AFP/Sabah Arar)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (3rd R) speaks ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:24:28 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (3rd R) speaks during a tender in Baghdad, June 30, 2009. Iraq auctioned contracts to run eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday as it sought to take charge of its own reconstruction after six years of war, but oil companies were reluctant to pay what it asked. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY)

Representatives of foreign companies listen during a tender ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:19:22 GMT

(Reuters) - Representatives of foreign companies listen during a tender in Baghdad June 30, 2009. Iraq auctioned contracts to run eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday as it sought to take charge of its own reconstruction after six years of war, but oil companies were reluctant to pay what it asked. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (L) talks with ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:14:38 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani (L) talks with Chinese Ambassador to Iraq Chang Yi while attending a tender in Baghdad June 30, 2009. Iraq auctioned contracts to run eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday as it sought to take charge of its own reconstruction after six years of war, but oil companies were reluctant to pay what it asked. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani attends a tender ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:09:55 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani attends a tender in Baghdad June 30, 2009. Iraq auctioned contracts to run eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday as it sought to take charge of its own reconstruction after six years of war, but oil companies were reluctant to pay what it asked. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ ENERGY POLITICS)

Representatives of foreign companies attend a tender in Baghdad, ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:04:52 GMT

(Reuters) - Representatives of foreign companies attend a tender in Baghdad, June 30, 2009. Iraq auctioned contracts to run eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday as it sought to take charge of its own reconstruction after six years of war, but oil companies were reluctant to pay what it asked. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY)

Representatives of foreign companies attend a tender in Baghdad, ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:02:36 GMT

Representatives of foreign companies listen during a tender ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:56:46 GMT

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a tender ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:46:25 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a tender in Baghdad June 30, 2009. Iraq auctioned contracts to run eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday as it sought to take charge of its own reconstruction after six years of war, but oil companies were reluctant to pay what it asked. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani attends a tender ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:45:19 GMT

Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani attends a tender ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:58:26 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani attends a tender in Baghdad June 30, 2009. Eager for cash to rebuild after six years of war, Iraq auctioned off eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday in its first major tender since the 2003 U.S. invasion. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ ENERGY POLITICS)

The signage of a British Petroleum service station in Manassas, ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:59:00 GMT

(AFP/File) - The signage of a British Petroleum service station in Manassas, Virginia. The British firm along with China's CNPC International Ltd have won a contract to work in Iraq's huge Rumaila oil field, the oil ministry has announced.(AFP/File/Karen Bleier)

A worker checks an oil pipe gauge in Tawke oil field near Dahuk, ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:18:38 GMT

(Reuters) - A worker checks an oil pipe gauge in Tawke oil field near Dahuk, 400 km (249 miles) north of Baghdad, June 27, 2009. For the first time since the 2003 U.S. invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, global oil firms will have a run at Iraq's vast oil resources when Baghdad auctions off contracts in its biggest fields this month. Picture taken June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari (IRAQ ENERGY BUSINESS)

An employee works at the Tawke oil field near Dahuk, 400 km ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:17:33 GMT

(Reuters) - An employee works at the Tawke oil field near Dahuk, 400 km (249 miles) north of Baghdad, June 27, 2009. For the first time since the 2003 U.S. invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, global oil firms will have a run at Iraq's vast oil resources when Baghdad auctions off contracts in its biggest fields this month. Picture taken June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY)

Workers adjust the valves of an oil pipe in Tawke oil field ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:13:02 GMT

(Reuters) - Workers adjust the valves of an oil pipe in Tawke oil field near Dahuk, 400 km (249 miles) north of Baghdad, June 27, 2009. For the first time since the 2003 U.S. invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, global oil firms will have a run at Iraq's vast oil resources when Baghdad auctions off contracts in its biggest fields this month. Picture taken June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY)

A general view of Tawke oil field near Dahuk, 400 km (249 miles) ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:09:47 GMT

(Reuters) - A general view of Tawke oil field near Dahuk, 400 km (249 miles) north of Baghdad, June 27, 2009. For the first time since the 2003 U.S. invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, global oil firms will have a run at Iraq's vast oil resources when Baghdad auctions off contracts in its biggest fields this month. Picture taken June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari (IRAQ ENERGY BUSINESS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

A worker adjusts the valve of an oil pipe in Tawke oil field ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:06:35 GMT

(Reuters) - A worker adjusts the valve of an oil pipe in Tawke oil field near Dahuk, 400 km (249 miles) north of Baghdad, June 27, 2009. For the first time since the 2003 U.S. invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, global oil firms will have a run at Iraq's vast oil resources when Baghdad auctions off contracts in its biggest fields this month. Picture taken June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY)

An Iraqi worker checks the valves at the Kirkuk oil field. Iraqi ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:08:05 GMT

(AFP) - An Iraqi worker checks the valves at the Kirkuk oil field. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki opened a meeting expected to unveil which foreign companies have won contracts to develop the conflict-torn nation's key oil and gas fields.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

An Iraqi engineer carries outs checks at the Kirkuk oil field. ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:08:05 GMT

(AFP) - An Iraqi engineer carries outs checks at the Kirkuk oil field. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki opened a meeting expected to unveil which foreign companies have won contracts to develop the conflict-torn nation's key oil and gas fields.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

Flared gas burns at the Kirkuk oil field. Iraq will unveil on ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:08:05 GMT

(AFP) - Flared gas burns at the Kirkuk oil field. Iraq will unveil on June 30 which foreign firms have won contracts to develop its oil and gas fields, nearly four decades after Saddam Hussein's party nationalised the country's energy infrastructure.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

Map of Iraq showing oil and gas fields and pipelines. The foreign ...

(AFP/Graphic) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:08:05 GMT

(AFP/Graphic) - Map of Iraq showing oil and gas fields and pipelines. The foreign firms awarded deals will have to partner with Iraqi government-owned firms, principally the South Oil Company (SOC), and share management of the fields despite fully financing their development.(AFP/Graphic)

An Iraqi oil worker at an oil field in southern Rumaila. Chinese ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:50:11 GMT

(AFP/File) - An Iraqi oil worker at an oil field in southern Rumaila. Chinese national oil companies have been sweeping in to the Arab state giving international credibility to a controversial oil law unilaterally passed by Iraqi Kurdistan.(AFP/File/Essam al-Sudani)

FILE - In ths May 31, 2009 file photo, an employee works at ...

(AP) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:22:15 GMT

(AP) - FILE - In ths May 31, 2009 file photo, an employee works at Tawke oil fields in the semiautonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq. When Iraq on Monday, June 29, begins auctioning off the rights for foreign companies to help revive its oil industry, the prize isn't what the companies would like: 20-year service contracts that will pay them fixed fees — up to $16 billion in total — for helping the country boost output. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2008 file photo, Iraqi Oil Minister ...

(AP) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:17:10 GMT

(AP) - FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2008 file photo, Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Sharistani speaks to reporters after a meeting with Kurdish government officials in Irbil, a city in the Kurdish controlled north 350 kilometers (217 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq. Three decades after being booted out of the country following Saddam Hussein's 1972 nationalization of the oil industry, international oil companies are poised make their Iraqi debut next week in a milestone bidding round for a slice of the country's vast crude reserves.(AP Photo/Yahya Ahmed, File)

FILE - In this July 3, 2008 file photo, a worker controls a ...

(AP) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:17:00 GMT

(AP) - FILE - In this July 3, 2008 file photo, a worker controls a valve on a pipeline at the Zubair Moshrif oil field, 372 miles southeast of Baghdad, Iraq. Three decades after being booted out of the country following Saddam Hussein's 1972 nationalization of the oil industry, international oil companies are poised to make their Iraqi debut next week in a milestone bidding round for a slice of the country's vast crude reserves. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani, File)

Iraqis search through the wreckage of a truck bomb in the northern ...

(AFP) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:57:19 GMT

(AFP) - Iraqis search through the wreckage of a truck bomb in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. A truck bomb killed 64 people near the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk on Saturday, the country's bloodiest attack in 15 months just 10 days before US troops are due to quit urban areas.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

A wounded Iraqi woman is rushed into hospital following a truck ...

(AFP) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:57:19 GMT

(AFP) - A wounded Iraqi woman is rushed into hospital following a truck bomb in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. A truck bomb killed 64 people near the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk on Saturday, the country's bloodiest attack in 15 months just 10 days before US troops are due to quit urban areas.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

Iraqi men burry relatives killed only hours earlier in a truck ...

(AFP) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:57:19 GMT

(AFP) - Iraqi men burry relatives killed only hours earlier in a truck bomb in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. A truck bomb killed 64 people near the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk on Saturday, the country's bloodiest attack in 15 months just 10 days before US troops are due to quit urban areas.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

An Iraqi woman flees the scene of a truck bomb in the northern ...

(AFP) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:57:19 GMT

(AFP) - An Iraqi woman flees the scene of a truck bomb in the northern city of Kirkuk. A truck bomb killed 64 people near the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk on Saturday, the country's bloodiest attack in 15 months just 10 days before US troops are due to quit urban areas.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

Iraqis search through the wreckage of a truck bomb in the northern ...

(AFP) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:46:25 GMT

(AFP) - Iraqis search through the wreckage of a truck bomb in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. A truck bomb near the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk killed 46 people and wounded 166, police and hospital officials told AFP.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

Iraqi police in Baghdad, June 17. A truck bomb killed 22 people ...

(AFP/File) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:42:34 GMT

(AFP/File) - Iraqi police in Baghdad, June 17. A truck bomb killed 22 people and wounded dozens more in a town south of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, the bloodiest attack to hit Iraq in a month, officials said.(AFP/File/Mohammed Sawaf)

Iraqi policemen stand guard at a checkpoint in central Baghdad ...

(AFP/File) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:42:34 GMT

(AFP/File) - Iraqi policemen stand guard at a checkpoint in central Baghdad on June 5. A truck bomb killed 22 people and wounded dozens more in a town south of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, the bloodiest attack to hit Iraq in a month, officials said.(AFP/File/Ali al-Saadi)

Vagit Alekperov, chief executive officer of Russia's oil firm ...

(AP) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:49:52 GMT

(AP) - Vagit Alekperov, chief executive officer of Russia's oil firm Lukoil speaks during after meeting with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, Wednesday, June 17, 2009. A statement says Iraq's prime minister and Russian oil executives have discussed ways to boost economic cooperation between the two countries. (AP Photo/Thaier al-Sudani, Pool)