The Iraqi government approved a recommendation by the country’s Ministerial Energy Council to “proceed with the signing of the fifth licensing round [LR5] contracts” during an ordinary Council of Ministers session on 7 February. This is a reference to Iraq’s 2018 bidding round focused on non-associated gas development (MEES, 30 March 2018).

Blocks were won by Sharjah’s Crescent Petroleum, Chinese minnow Geo-Jade and Hong Kong-listed United Energy Group (UEG), but the awards have yet to be finalized almost five years on. (CONTINUED - 544 WORDS)