Iraq says Halliburton and ExxonMobil are in talks for stake in West Qurna-1 oil field

Iraq says Halliburton and ExxonMobil are in talks for stake in West Qurna-1 oil field

Halliburton and ExxonMobil are in talks over the latter’s attempt to sell a a stake in the West Qurna-1 oil field in southern Iraq, according to the country’s energy minister.

Iraq wants a US partner for Exxon’s stake, Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar told reporters in Baghdad. If the talks with Halliburton fail, Iraq will step in to buy the stake, he added. He said a few days ago that Iraqi state company Basra Oil Co. could be a potential buyer.

Halliburton, which mainly provides oil-field services, has previously said it’s inaccurate that the company is interested in buying Exxon’s holding.