Iraq oil refineries eye upgrades as exports slip

Iraq's Cabinet has approved a multimillion dollar contract to upgrade an oil refinery in southern Iraq, The Associated Press reported.

The $81-million contract will be awarded jointly to the U.S.-based Colorado Industrial Construction Services Co. (CICSCO) and CH2M HILL's affiliate VECO Co. for the production of gasoline from the Samawah refinery, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information before the contract is sig…