Russia To Form Joint Projects Helping Iraq

Russia?s Oil and Gas Producers Union head, Yuri Shafranik, said at the news conference Tuesday, that Russia together with Western states could help Iraq to get out of the hopeless situation. To do this, one must form joint projects in the petroleum sector.

According to Shafranik, a former Fuel and Energy Minister of USSR, the way out would be the development of partnership relations with Iraq?s regional authorities.

?Russia will have to cooperate with Iraqi regional leaders,? he said.
Shafranik said Russian oil giant LUKOIL has high chances to take part in Iraq?s West Qurna major oil project especially after the two companies forged a strategic alliance.

He added, that another Russian oil and gas company Soyuzneftegaz has approached British and American oil companies concerning its participation in the development of Iraq?s Rafidain oil field.