Iraq’s Minister of Oil Basim al-Abadi met with Chevron executives in Baghdad this week to discuss plans for the US major to develop the 480,000 b/d West Qurna-2 oil field. Following the meeting, the minister said agreements had been reached and that a contract is expected to be signed before the end of the year for West Qurna-2, while discussions continue over development of the Nasiriyah oil field and four exploration blocks. The comments follow Chevron CEO Mike Wirth’s comments last week that the company was “months” away from finalizing terms to take over the West Qurna-2 and Nasiriya oil fields (MEES, 9 October).