TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné has poured cold water on recent comments by Iraq’s oil minister that finalization of the firm’s $27bn megadeal (MEES, 10 September 2021) is imminent – not the first time the firm has been pushed to dampen comments from Iraqi officials.
Oil Minister Hayan Abdulghani said on 19 March that with negotiations “advanced,” the deal would be finalized “very soon.” But when asked about the deal during the firm’s 21 March strategy update, Mr Pouyanné emphasized the political risks of operating in Iraq and essentially stated that more solid political guarantees are required. (CONTINUED - 269 WORDS)