Wassit governor denies “sabotage” in al-Ahdab oil field

WASSIT / IraqiNews.com: Wassit’s governor on Saturday denied any “sabotage” at al-Ahdab oil well, west of Kut city, dismissing news reported by the Wall Street Journal that the China National Petroleum Corp that works in the field has been subjected to “blackmailing and robbery” by local residents. “The news is absolutely untrue,” Lateef Hamad al-Torfa told IraqiNews.com news agency. “The Chinese firm resumed working on the project since the beginning of this year (2009), and so far work has been moving without troubles or interruptions,” he said. “Around two weeks ago, local authorities in Wassit offered a number of investment projects to the Chinese company,” he added. Governor al-Torfa pointed out that the firm has good relations with the residents of nearby villages; it has been offering them job opportunities and providing them with electricity. On May 22, 2009, The Wall Street Journal said that the first oil investment company in Iraq, China National Petroleum Corp, suffers blackmailing and looting by local residents in Wassit, noting that these challenges will face other companies as well. Commenting on the issue, Assim Jihad, the official spokesperson of the Iraqi Oil Ministry, said, “The paper’s report is inaccurate.” “Work in the field proceeds in a very good manner,” Jihad said. “Those who have suspicions can visit the site by themselves,” he pointed out. Al-Ahdab oil filed is 25 km west of Kut, the capital city of Wassit province, which lies 180 km southeast of Baghdad. MH (S) / SS 1