Iraq’s oil ministry is signing contracts to develop the six exploration blocks, which were awarded in April this year.

A statement released by the Ministry of Oil on 3 June said that the contracts would be signed by the Iraq’s petroleum contracts and licensing directorate over the course of that day as well as the following day.

The contracts due to be signed relate to the following blocks:

• Klabat and Gumar
• Khashm al-Ahmar and Injana
• Khudr Al-Mai
• Naft Khana
• Sindbad
• Huwaiza

In April, the Klabat and Gumar block was awarded to UAE-based Crescent Petroleum, along with the Khashim Ahmar and Injana block, and the Khider al-Mai block.

China’s Geo-Jade Petroleum won the rights at Huwaiza field in the southern Missan province and Naft Khana in Diala governorate.

Hong Kong-based United Energy Group was awarded the Sindbad field, which is located in Iraq’s southern Basra province.