Oil Ministry rejects provincial oil deals

Iraq’s great federalist debate over control of the oil sector is spreading throughout the provinces, as the Oil Ministry stands its ground against local governments pressing for greater control of their crude.Karbala and Dhi Qar provinces are pushing to develop local oil fields, but Iraq's Oil Ministry says its stance has not changed: it alone has the authority to sign oil contracts."No provincial council has the right to sign any of these contracts alone,” said Oil Minister Abdul K...