The Iraqi Oil Ministry said Thursday that it was advising oil companies that they should be making contracts and dealing only with the federal government. Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi said he was frustrated with announcements of intent to sign oil contracts inside the “geographic borders of Iraq without telling the federal government of the ministry of oil.” A statement carried by his ministry said such action was considered blatant interference in its internal affairs and an insult to Iraqi sovereignty. “The government and the ministry of oil are the only [entities] responsible [for] mak[ing] the strategies of oil and gas wealth, according to the constitution, rules, authorities and instructions,” the ministry’s statement read. Luaibi’s statement made no reference to any […]