Iraqi lawmaker says BP, parliament panel discuss new exploration areas in Kirkuk

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of the Iraqi Parliament's Oil and Gas Committee said he met with BP's Iraq country director to discuss developing oil and gas fields in Kirkuk, including the Hawice, Riyad and Reşad districts in the southwest of the province. Muhammad Ali al-Nuaymi said the meeting with Zaid al-Yasiri covered technical and investment plans aimed at raising production efficiency, improving the operation of existing fields and refineries, and making fuller use of Kirkuk's hydrocarbon resources. He added that the talks touched on the need for a fair distribution of investment opportunities across the province so that Kirkuk's residents receive an appropriate share of the projects. Al-Nuaymi said the Hawice district and the Riyad and Reşad subdistricts hold meaningful oil and gas potential and that exploration work in those areas is expected to be reactivated. According to the lawmaker, the planned exploration and investment drive would run in parallel with refinery upgrades. BP already operates in Kirkuk under its agreement with the Iraqi government, working on the Kirkuk, Bay Hasan, Jambar and Habbaz fields as well as gas and energy projects, with room to expand exploration activities, al-Nuaymi noted. No further details on the timeline or scope of the planned work were immediately available.