A delegation from Chevron visited Iraq’s 480,000 b/d-capacity West Qurna-2 (WQ-2) field this week, multiple sources confirm. The development comes as Chevron’s chances of taking on Lukoil’s stake in the field improve. Iraq initially preferred Exxon as a replacement for the sanctioned Russian firm (MEES, 5 December), but Chevron’s chances appear to have improved after meetings with oil ministry officials and Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani earlier this month.
An oil ministry source says that a key element of Chevron’s pitch is Lukoil’s other Iraq asset, the Eridu discovery in Dhi Qar province’s Block 10. With Chevron in separate discussions over developing Dhi Qar’s Nasiriya oilfield and taking on nearby exploration assets it could build up a strong, integrated position in the province. (CONTINUED - 158 WORDS)