Iraqi nat gas future bright, though uncertain

Iraq has delayed for at least a month an auction of three natural gas fields which could see foreign companies develop enough of the resource to meet local demands and create a new export sector.

But terms have yet to be solidified for the contracts to be offered on Oct. 1, the oil ministry said.

And the value of the contracts will be affected by the terms of another gas deal: the state-run South Gas Company's joint venture with Royal Dutch Shell to capture flared gas in Basra province th...