ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s oil ministry claimed on Monday that three major US energy firms had informed them of their decision to stop tendering for projects in the Kurdistan Region, adding that this comes in compliance with the Iraqi top court’s decision to outlaw the Region’s oil and gas law. The Iraqi oil ministry released a statement saying that US giants Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, and Halliburton have confirmed through official communications with the ministry that they will no longer be applying to new projects in the Kurdistan Region. According to the statement, the companies are “in the process of liquidating and closing the existing tenders and contracts, confirming through this pledge that they do not own a commercial entity or other companies operating in the Region.” The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court in February found the Kurdistan Region’s oil and gas law to be “unconstitutional,” therefore striking down the legal basis for the independence of the Region’s oil and gas sector. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) responded to the decision, saying that the court’s ruling is not only “unconstitutional” but also “unjust.” There have been no official announcements by the companies but Rudaw English has seen a letter signed by Schlumberger stating that the company will comply with the court’s decision, and refrain from applying for tenders in the Region. The latest developments come after a series of rocket attacks that targeted the key Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani’s Chamchamal district in late June. UAE-based Dana Gas, which operates in Khor Mor, announced that it will be temporarily suspending work on one of its expansion projects in the field following the attacks.
