Shell Baker resumes work at Akaz gas field in Anbar, official says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Shell Baker has resumed work this week on the development of the Akaz gas field in Anbar province after withdrawing earlier due to U.S.-Iran military operations, a spokesman for the Anbar local administration said on Monday. Muwayid al-Dulaymi told reporters that the province has no security problems and is ready for investment by foreign and local companies. He said the main obstacles facing investors are not security but bureaucratic hurdles in licensing at the Baghdad-based Investment Commission and other bodies, along with financial and administrative difficulties. Separately, the Iraqi Oil Ministry's sixth licensing round awarded the Khulaysiya gas field in western Anbar to the company Kar, and work on that project is expected to begin soon. The 8,167-square-kilometer field is reported to hold significant gas reserves, with positive results from an exploration well. Economist Ahmed al-Karbouli said the return of foreign companies signals an improved business environment, but the core problem remains central government bureaucracy and slow licensing procedures. No further details on timelines for the two projects were immediately available.