Several major western oil companies are close to signing a deal with Iraq to help it develop its vast oil fields - Journal (english) 20.06.2008 14 UTC

Several major western oil companies are close to signing a deal with Iraq to help it develop its vast oil fields. The Iraqi Oil Ministry is expected to grant the two-year, no-bid contracts to companies including Exxon Mobil and British Petroleum, along with Royal Dutch Shell and Total. It would be Baghdad's first agreement with western oil firms since the US-led invasion in 2003.