Iraq Affirms Drive to End Gas Imports for Power Plants in Talks with ExxonMobil

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi affirmed Iraq's keenness to end its reliance on imported gas for operating power plants nationwide. This came during discussions held by Al-Zaidi early Friday with Darren Woods, CEO of the American company ExxonMobil, and the board of directors of the leading company in oil sector technologies. The meeting took place at the company's headquarters in Houston, with the attendance of the Ministers of Oil and Electricity and several advisors. During the talks, Al-Zaidi indicated the government's determination to develop oil production and export sectors and to enhance Iraq's capabilities in refining and processing. He invited the company to contribute to these ambitious plans, urging prompt action and rapid engagement to strengthen long-term partnership and investment in Iraq. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of ending Iraq's need to import gas for power stations, emphasizing the necessity of collecting all associated gas and halting environmentally polluting flaring operations. He explained that these efforts are driven by economic challenges that push towards diversifying value-added revenues and adding new refining units in cooperation with ExxonMobil, given its advanced technologies in the oil industry. For his part, Woods provided a summary of the company's activities, capabilities, and presence in Iraq and the region. He affirmed that the Iraqi oil sector is a vast arena for investment opportunities, stressing the importance of adhering to environmental requirements and reducing pollution. He also expressed his company's desire for close cooperation with Iraq.