Iraq oil minister meets BP, ConocoPhillips on energy cooperation

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Oil Minister Basim Khudair met on Monday with representatives of British company BP and Texas-based ConocoPhillips to discuss developing the country's oil and gas sector, the ministry said. The meeting focused on ways to increase Iraq's energy production and evaluate investment opportunities in existing fields, according to a ministry statement. The talks also covered the two international companies' current operations in Iraq and potential areas for new collaboration. BP operates a partnership at Iraq's Rumaila field, while ConocoPhillips is involved in several projects in the country. The parties said technical teams would continue discussions in the coming period. No further details were immediately available on specific agreements or timelines.