REUTERS
Aref Mohammed
BASRA, Iraq
Sat Feb 20, 2010 7:56am EST
BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraq has no further plans to use foreign firms to develop its oilfields beyond ones auctioned off last year, the country’s prime minister said on Saturday, ahead of a national election next month.
Analysts say that foreign companies may have accepted the tough terms in oilfield development contracts awarded in two rounds last year partly to secure an initial foothold in Iraq, with a view to possible access to other untapped reserves later.