Officials at Royal Dutch Shell and the Iraqi Oil Ministry refute claims that a proposed gas joint venture would have exclusive access to Basra province's gas industry, though a key member of Parliament criticizes the project.
Basra
Analysis: Shell, Iraq say gas deal OK
Royal Dutch Shell is first oil company to plan a venture in Basra staffed with expats
In recent weeks the Anglo-Dutch oil giant has been sounding out security companies, suppliers and logistics companies in Iraq about how to support an expatriate operation of as many as 200 people in Basra, where it has signed a preliminary deal worth up to $4 billion (£2.5 billion) to process and market natural gas.
Analysis: Shell-Iraq gas deal a monopoly
A secret agreement obtained by United Press International reveals a planned joint venture company between Royal Dutch Shell and the Iraqi Oil Ministry would give the company a 25-year monopoly on the gas industry of southern Iraq.