And Iraq's big oil contracts go to...

[katty]

more: http://money.cnn.com/2007/04/05/news/international/iraq_oil/index.htm

And Iraq's big oil contracts go to ...
Companies from China, India and other Asian nations are seen getting the first contracts. But don't write off Big Oil just yet.

By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer
April 5 2007: 1:42 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Despite claims by some critics that the Bush administration invaded Iraq to take control of its oil, the first contracts with major oil firms from Iraq's new government are likely to go not to U.S. companies, but rather to companies from China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

While Iraqi lawmakers struggle to pass an agreement on exactly who will award the contracts and how the revenue will be shared, experts say a draft version that passed the cabinet earlier this year will likely uphold agreements previously signed by those countries under Saddam Hussein's government.

"The Chinese could announce something within the next few months" if all goes well with the oil law, said James Placke, a senior associate at Cambridge Energy Research Associates who specializes in the Middle East.

[annabanana]

1. MultiNationals, unlike Aspens,

are connected at the head.

It will be interesting to see exactly where the contracts go. (and go, and go.)

[Straight Shooter]

2. Before it's all over, the dragon may very well swallow the eagle. n/t

[katty]

3. maybe already, I hear a healthy burp from the dragon

[Turbineguy]

4. When you consider that the only

possible salvation (for the US) from the Iraq war is to get control of the oil, it seems the Bush government can't even get that right.

But then again, the oil in Southern Russia is a much sweeter plum. It's of a better quality and there's lots more of it. And nobody seems anxious to get invaded for it.