Advice on rebuilding the Iraqi oil industry after the war has been offered by Statoil in a letter addressed to the country’s oil ministry.
This offer covers organisational and technical support rather than specific collaboration projects.
Should a positive response be received from Iraq, it will be up to that country to identify areas in which assistance is required.
The Iraqis have a substantial requirement for help at the moment, and Statoil has considerable expertise in a number of important areas.
Initially, the group is only offering assistance to a country in a difficult position. This could lead in the longer term to direct involvement in exploration and production operations.
Iraq’s oil industry has suffered from a lack of investment in new technology. The country has experienced three wars and 13 years of sanctions, and now faces extensive reconstruction.