Tough terms: Hussain Shahristani
Shahristani in the firing line
Oil Minister Hussain Shahristani has done a remarkable job in luring foreign companies to Iraq’s upstream sector and awarding high-profile field development deals in recent months.
The pace of contract awards is quickening as an increasing number of top-tier companies accept the tough terms dictated by Shahristani in a bid to gain a foothold in a country that boasts the world’s second largest conventional crude reserves after Saudi Arabia.
Shahristani’s success has not gone down well with political foes who have accused him of failing to revive Iraq’s oil industry after decades of war and sabotage.
Read the full story in this week's edition of Upstream.